Mastering for '2nd' World independent Bands

[elmkid]

im writing from malaysia. i have been following this forum for quite awhile, but because i dont know just about everything at what im doing, i restrict myself from replying to posts here.

here's the story..

im running a small project studio and record like 3-5 projects (mostly 5songs EP) per month, and most of my clients are unsigned bands, which means they dont have sufficient amount of money to do proper mastering locally here. i always the one ended up blasting the mixes. i dont wanna do this anymore. so, is there any mastering houses here able to take my projects at a very small price(s).

roughly, at cheap mastering house ive researched thru posts here, ive got prices from US35-US50 per track. so if you can lower the price a bit, then i might use your service to accomodate these poor musicians. but, if the big indie/major label project coming, then i will pay up to your standard rate.

im so sorry if im asking too much here. im just asking. if someone wants to slag me off of this, i will wholeheartedly understand.

so, when naming your price, please consider that we pay something like 12dollars for a cuppa of starbucks coffee. that means usually starbucks are for upper-mid class people. not everybody can afford it here.

about turnaround of the project, i dont really mind. you can even treat my projects when you are waiting for your clients to turn up or when you are free. i dont mind if you dont put my projects in your daily schedule. all i need is your careful listenings.
thanks for your understanding. pls PM me. thanks again.

p/s. i record mostly indie, punk, hardcore and metal bands.

[Riccardo]

Originally Posted by elmkid

im writing from malaysia. i have been following this forum for quite awhile, but because i dont know just about everything at what im doing, i restrict myself from replying to posts here.

here's the story..

im running a small project studio and record like 3-5 projects (mostly 5songs EP) per month, and most of my clients are unsigned bands, which means they dont have sufficient amount of money to do proper mastering locally here. i always the one ended up blasting the mixes. i dont wanna do this anymore. so, is there any mastering houses here able to take my projects at a very small price(s).

roughly, at cheap mastering house ive researched thru posts here, ive got prices from US35-US50 per track. so if you can lower the price a bit, then i might use your service to accomodate these poor musicians. but, if the big indie/major label project coming, then i will pay up to your standard rate.

im so sorry if im asking too much here. im just asking. if someone wants to slag me off of this, i will wholeheartedly understand.

so, when naming your price, please consider that we pay something like 12dollars for a cuppa of starbucks coffee. that means usually starbucks are for upper-mid class people. not everybody can afford it here.

about turnaround of the project, i dont really mind. you can even treat my projects when you are waiting for your clients to turn up or when you are free. i dont mind if you dont put my projects in your daily schedule. all i need is your careful listenings.
thanks for your understanding. pls PM me. thanks again.

p/s. i record mostly indie, punk, hardcore and metal bands.

This off topic and I''l be brief. It is about two things you mentioned above:
1) Nobody is going to slag you off
2) you are welcome to post and reply to posts. Nobody was born with total knowledge and even for the experts the art or practice it is an ongoing learning experience as with many other things in life! Don't be afraid to participate in the forum.

[macc]

PM'ed

[lucey]

Originally Posted by elmkid

im writing from malaysia. i have been following this forum for quite awhile, but because i dont know just about everything at what im doing, i restrict myself from replying to posts here.

Don't hold back ... no one else does! Ask questions and get involved.

[soundinista]

If you can't find anyone satisfactory in Malaysia, had you thought about contacting any of the MEs working up in Bangkok? I think your money might buy you quite a bit more over there, and there are some really skilled guys now working for Grammy, most of whom work freelance as well (there are practically no total freelancers in Thailand - sorry state of affairs!).

I'd just PM you a load of email addresses, but I'm not sure who among them speaks good English, and I think you need someone you can communicate well with. Give me couple of days and I'll try to find out and put you in touch with them. There's one Italian guy, and he's good but I think he might be expensive.

And remember that Thais love to haggle - they are not expecting you to agree to the first price they name, though they'll take it if you are stupid enough to pay it.

Good luck, wherever you end up going

[elmkid]

hi there all good people.
thanks for the responds. as for soundinista, im some sort of half thai btw, but never learn the language. but its ok, my cousin lives there, and she might be able to help me. thanks again. pls let me me know when you get the contact details.
have a nice day ahead. its 530am tuesday now here.

[soundinista]

Originally Posted by elmkid

im some sort of half thai btw, but never learn the language.

Really? So am I. Sawasdee krup - I'm sure you know at least that! I'll PM you soon.

Some of the Thai engineers these days are very skilled and conscientious, if they have a fault they can be a little too respectful of "the right way to do it", as they were taught, and they've all studied everything they can find on how the current cool US and UK guys do it. Perhaps a little scared to just turn the dials and trust their ears. Though that can be a good thing perhaps, considering some of the monkeys calling themselves mastering engineers these days, if you're looking online.

There's quite a lot of modern alt-rock type music coming out of Thailand at the moment, they're getting that sound nailed. Have you heard any? Do you like the sounds they are getting?

By the way, since you're from Malaysia, do you speak any Chinese? Quite a few BK guys might be better at communicating in Chinese than in English.

Chok dee krup

[woodyP]

Dear elmkid,

My name is Woody. I used to work for Sony Music Studios in New York City for about 9 years. Currently, I've been moving back to Thailand and open my own studio since 2006. So, give me a call or write me an e-mail which ever easy for you. Looking forward to hear from you.

Westside Mastering Studios

Woody Pornpitaksuk
Chief Mastering Engineer
Westside Mastering Studios