Vintage vs. Modern Mastering

[soupking]

Beyond CD versus Vinyl, are there serious things to consider when finding a mastering expert?

Volume is volume.
Many mastering people have super-fly equipment.

How am I supposed to make an educated guess beyond friendly business and reputation. I'm sure there's plenty of capable engineers out there. "Just pick one" I figure but, what am I looking for?

[Riccardo]

A good ME is a good ME full stop.

Communication is the key.

If you feel you will achieve your goals by communicating on a verbal level in real time then choose a ME close to you where you can attend the session.

If you can't attend choose a ME you can communicate well with.

When you speak to your chosen ME know what you want and "what you are looking for"

[brethes@mac.com]

Originally Posted by Riccardo

A good ME is a good ME full stop.

Communication is the key.

If you feel you will achieve your goals by communicating on a verbal level in real time then choose a ME close to you where you can attend the session.

If you can't attend choose a ME you can communicate well with.

When you speak to your chosen ME know what you want and "what you are looking for"

To differentiate between a good experienced ME and one with little or no experience & talent, look carefully at their track record and client list. Do a Google search of their name or look them up on www.allmusic.com.

So many businesses these days advertise on the net with a great list of equipment but no details of the engineer, no credentials, client list, or just show a small list of unknown bands/artists, or worse, a few examples of mastered tracks... Beware of those! Some of these may come up with a decent result, but lack of experience usually means lack of consistency so it will be very much hit or miss.
With a good ME, as Ricardo said, as long as there is a good line of communication, you are guaranteed total satisfaction.

[aivoryuk]

to be honest even on ME's who grace these boards i've not heard of half the clients/artists they have on their website but it doesn't mean that they are not reputable artists.

You can always ask for recommendations from fellow muscians of who they have used in the past.

maybe even ask for a trial of the me's work is a possibility.

[soupking]

So many businesses these days advertise on the net with a great list of equipment but no details of the engineer, no credentials, client list, or just show a small list of unknown bands/artists, or worse, a few examples of mastered tracks...

Exactly, and everybody sounds nice (and probably are). However, when poised with so many options, one wonders the amount of differentation.

Since I live in L.A., I will look for somebody local. I'm pretty serious about my project. I'm privately funding it so I'm not rich. However, professional work demands it's due.

Thanks everybody.
-soupking

[Riccardo]

Originally Posted by soupking

Exactly, and everybody sounds nice (and probably are). However, when poised with so many options, one wonders the amount of differentation.

Since I live in L.A., I will look for somebody local. I'm pretty serious about my project. I'm privately funding it so I'm not rich. However, professional work demands it's due.

Thanks everybody.
-soupking

Dave Collins is in L.A.

http://www.collinsaudio.com/

[soupking]

Dave Collins is in L.A.

Yeah, he's definitely on my list of people to call.