Need 11 Song Mastering/Rock U.S.

[mercurydime]

greetings, all

i will be finishing an album mix at the end of the current month, and i have agreed to help the band find the best mastering fit for them. i do mastering here, but i am so involved in this project from a production standpoint, that another set of ears and the objectivity that comes with them would be most appropriate, i think. the band's management has already begun booking cd release shows beginning 09/12/09. it would be nice to have duplication finished at least two weeks prior to the formal release.

the band's material will eventually be lumped in to the 'americana' category come industry classification time, but as far as i'm concerned, that's a bit nebulous (and these guys are a bit heavier than typical americana fare). it's really a more modern twist on 'southern rock', a la black crowes, widespread panic, drive by truckers...instrumentation is two guitars, bass, drums, keys (including B3), lead vox; a splash of horns and some female BG vocals...this record is shaping up to have an 'old school' vibe, and we'd like the mastering to complement that.

budget is in the range of $1200-$1800.

thanks in advance for any recommendations. any folks here on this wonderful forum that are interested, and can work with the project on an emotional as well as a technical, engineering level shoot me a PM...i can get you some roughs to have a listen...

many thanks,

stephen blanton

[mercurydime]

i'd sincerely like to thank all who have responded thus far! i have read all the PM's and e-mails sent, and will be uploading a file or two in the next couple days to those who offered to do a 'sample' mastering bit.

i am in the throes of 3 different projects currently, and thankful for them; but with multiple deadlines imminent, i am wondering if it's possible to squeeze 26 hours out of 24 somehow...

much obliged to all...looking forward to communicating with those kind enough to reply...

best,

[mercurydime]

as i come up for air here (man has it been busy in the studio)...

i wanted to let all know that john scrip of massive mastering got the nod for the velvet truckstop mastering job. the band and i could not be more pleased...out of the dozen or so 'trial masters' received in a timely manner, his was the one that initially 'took it easy' on the material. it's louder for sure, but not -7db/-6db range. i wish that time had allowed for me to work more closely with many of you on a second run-through.

this forum is peopled with top notch folks..seasoned pros to boot. thanks again to all who gave it a shot.

i have gotten a few other requests to do submit sample files for mastering, and i thought i'd try to save everyone the time and trouble since i understand how valuable my own time is...

the velvet truckstop album, "sweet release" is now in release and is getting solid reviews as it begins to make its way on to radio and in the consuming public's hands.

for more, feel free to visit the band at their website:

Velvet Truckstop - Home

again, thanks to all of you who freely gave of your time and talent to pursue this work. it is greatly appreciated.

best,