Who in here will master tracks for 25 bucks?

[Krush411]

Just curious-alot of people here def know the ins and outs of mastering.

I'm sure many of you charge quite the premium for your services. I also know some of you do it as a hobby and are willing to charge less to help out broke, upcoming artists

Who here is willing to master some of my tracks for under 25 bucks each?
And someone who is a good, seasoned pro at it and can provide samples.

Mastering when done right seems to be a time consuming proccess so I kind of think twice before submitting tracks to these sites who only charge 15 dollars per track.

Just seeing who here would be down.

Thx

[TranscendingM]

I do lower rates occasionally but really it depends on the quality of the mix. If the mix is subpar and the mastering will be like pulling teeth, then quite frankly it's not worth the time. I am flexible though overall, but it's more about the quality mix and the time spent rather than the occasional lower rate job.

For starters, you should post a link to your mix.

[Simon]

i wouldn't consider myself a pro but what's about this offer:

i will master you 1 or 2 tracks for free and you decide if you like it...
if you do like, i will master you all the tracks for lets say about 100 bucks (depent on the number of tracks!!!)

which music genre is it?

[Daniel Stark]

If you want your tracks mastered, save some money. Anyone who will master your tracks for $25, should have kept learning until they were comfortable charging somewhere close to what mastering is worth.... in the neighborhood of several hundred dollars an hour?

Here's a better idea, if you want to learn mastering, go intern at a studio and HELP some established engineers instead of undercutting them

I mean I know times is tough, but $25? Seriously guys?

EDIT: "Under $25".....Good luck with that one.

[TranscendingM]

Originally Posted by Daniel Stark

If you want your tracks mastered, save some money. Anyone who will master your tracks for $25, should have kept learning until they were comfortable charging somewhere close to what mastering is worth.... in the neighborhood of several hundred dollars an hour?

Here's a better idea, if you want to learn mastering, go intern at a studio and HELP some established engineers instead of undercutting them

I mean I know times is tough, but $25? Seriously guys?

EDIT: "Under $25".....Good luck with that one.

A bit of a myopic thing to say. The fact an engineer will occasionally do things like this has nothing to do with their skill set nor is it "under cutting". Talk about drama.

[Key]

I'd go with the hungry up and comers who are willing to do something like Simon is. What do you have to lose? People always want to work with established engineers and producers but what ever happened to building from the ground up? Established engineers don't have the time to toil over your $25 tracks and make sure they are perfect - most likely for that price they will get run through the "Pop Mastering Preset".

[ThatSoundsWHAMMY]

Originally Posted by Krush411

Who here is willing to master some of my tracks for under 25 bucks each?

That quote seems fair if only it was not followed by this one...

Originally Posted by Krush411

someone who is a good, seasoned pro at it and can provide samples

If you want "someone who is a good, seasoned pro at it and can provide samples" then the odds are high that they worked their asses off to be that way.
Have some respect and be willing to pay the rates that they rightfully charge.

[Simon]

some reasons why someone would do it that cheap?

well, speaking about me, i'm really at the beginnign of my career and, i guess, everyone have to start at the beginning and need to work his ass off to get attention, especially in our digital era where everyone can afford some gear....(altought it's not about gear, it's about ear)

[Elk]

Simon's offer appears to be made in good faith and it could work out well for both of you. Why not give him a shot?

Then pay him what he asks if you like his work.

[ThatSoundsWHAMMY]

The conspicuous Mastering: The Movie

12 £'s converts roughly to 20 $'s.

I know it's not $25 but hey...
...close enough!

[Daniel Stark]

Myopic? Don't think so.....

Are you going to press and distribute this project, and if so wouldn't you rather spend the customary $100 or so a track and have it done right? Besides for promotional use a "pre-master" copy is appropriate. If you are selling beats I don't think you want to master them until the vocals are on them anyway (correct me if i'm wrong here). The long view is that your artistic reputation hangs on the quality of your product HENCE the importance of getting any (serious) product mastered properly.

From an engineer's perspective it makes even less sense.... People who are really able to master a project wouldn't want to sell themselves or their craft short. People who aren't really able to will defeat the whole point of mastering in the first place (QC as much as EQ!)

But maybe what we have here is a match made on heaven, i don't know. Still: artists asking for $20 mastering, and engineers looking for $20 clients, neither one seems a good idea to me

YMMV

[MASSIVE Master]

Who here is willing to master some of my tracks for under 25 bucks each?
And someone who is a good, seasoned pro at it and can provide samples.

Generally, you aren't going to find a "good, seasoned pro" that's going to work at $25 each.

Mastering when done right seems to be a time consuming proccess so I kind of think twice before submitting tracks to these sites who only charge 15 dollars per track.

You think twice about $15/track, but you don't think twice about $25...?

[Sunbreak Music]

Originally Posted by MASSIVE Master

Generally, you aren't going to find a "good, seasoned pro" that's going to work at $25 each.


You think twice about $15/track, but you don't think twice about $25...?

It's a matter of multiples.

[Franco]

Originally Posted by MASSIVE Master

Generally, you aren't going to find a "good, seasoned pro" that's going to work at $25 each.

With a big emphasis on "Generally" because $25 is what I charge people when they send me full projects, per song.

I work mostly with smaller rap labels and rap artists and some of them are pretty well-known. Anyone care to guess how much independent artists are typically making from sales these days? Not a lot, many of them give out their projects for free as promotional tools to get themselves into other avenues of possible revenue, so when you see it from that point of view, spending about $400 on mastering can be a substantial investment, if no returns are expected.

This discussion is also a bit off the mark. I charge this little because I do unattended sessions and work from home (yes, my condo, and I've sound proofed my walls and treated my space pretty well to the point that I'm comfortable working in my space).

Mastering studios that allow the clients to sit in SHOULD charge more because of the added overhead and added time it takes to master when a client is present, not to mention that such services are also in a way consulting services, because a client can ask questions about their mixes while they're getting mastered and the added cost is worth it.

To stereotype someone as not having the skills or tools because they charge $25 per track is ridiculous and it shows a lack of understanding various business models. I have tools that can't be downloaded (some are analog tools and some are DSP-based tools), and converters that my clients can't afford, so I see my rates fair for someone who only does unattended work, for clients who would rather spend the approximately $500 on something else, like gear.

"Engineers" see the rate thing waaaay different than artists who are the ones actually paying for jobs, who are looking to stretch their dollars as far as possible in these times. Thankfully, they'll research what other work one has done before they label someone as "not pro" because of a lower rate.

[TranscendingM]

Originally Posted by Daniel Stark

Myopic? Don't think so.....

Are you going to press and distribute this project, and if so wouldn't you rather spend the customary $100 or so a track and have it done right? Besides for promotional use a "pre-master" copy is appropriate. If you are selling beats I don't think you want to master them until the vocals are on them anyway (correct me if i'm wrong here). The long view is that your artistic reputation hangs on the quality of your product HENCE the importance of getting any (serious) product mastered properly.

From an engineer's perspective it makes even less sense.... People who are really able to master a project wouldn't want to sell themselves or their craft short. People who aren't really able to will defeat the whole point of mastering in the first place (QC as much as EQ!)

But maybe what we have here is a match made on heaven, i don't know. Still: artists asking for $20 mastering, and engineers looking for $20 clients, neither one seems a good idea to me

YMMV

Daniel my point is that you can't sum up a person's skill set by the work they do. Better yet, the type of work they will occassionally do. First off, some musicians simply can't afford higher normal rates so no matter what they are going to seek out a situation where they can afford it. This means this person is out there and seeking that out and you can't stop them. I've personally decided that occasionally I'd take on these types of clients as long as their intentions are good, they seem genuine, and the mix has redeeming factors in it, including the feel of the music. But this doesn't put a question mark against my skills. That logic doesn't add up. If I put myself out there like that on a day to day basis or as you put it was looking for $20 mastering jobs then I can see a "cheapening of the craft" argument as well as me being questionable as an engineer. You have to see the entire picture. Could you imagine how many of these types of jobs I've denied? You have to think of that too. Most of the time, in these situations it's not even about the rate but more so "how can I help this artist extend their vision working within their monetary limitations". Again, that's all based on the quality of the person's intentions, music, and mix.

[Krush411]

Wow since I posted this I have recieved alot of PM's for people offering mastering for only 25 dollars.

I believe that the majority of these people are honest, hardworking and good at thier craft. I would hope this is the case and that they wouldn't just steamroll my track through a master 'preset'

Most offered to do a track for free then if I like it, I can then pay. I got so many offers I do not know who to choose!

I think I will take up these offers and post the results here on this thread.
My ears are not as fine tuned as you guys so I'll put up a poll to see which track in your opinions sounds best sonically and over all and of course I'll weigh that with what I personally think as well.

Thanks again to everyone who offered!

[wwittman]

I've been thinking about liposuction

but at $3-5000???

anyone know anyone who will do it for $250?


I man, it's not like anyone can't do it just as well, or anything...

[Jesse Graffam]

Originally Posted by Daniel Stark

If you are selling beats I don't think you want to master them until the vocals are on them anyway (correct me if i'm wrong here).

Ask Timbaland. If you run most of his tracks through a scope, it looks like they had $20 mastering jobs as least 2-3 times before the vocals were slapped across the top.

Originally Posted by Daniel Stark

artists asking for $20 mastering, and engineers looking for $20 clients, neither one seems a good idea to me

thumbsup

Originally Posted by wwittman

anyone know anyone who will do it for $250?

I heard the doctor that did LASIK on Tiger Wood's eyes now offers a package. It certainly helped him out.

[Red Mastering]

Originally Posted by MASSIVE Master

Generally, you aren't going to find a "good, seasoned pro" that's going to work at $25 each.


You think twice about $15/track, but you don't think twice about $25...?

big +1, nothing else to say about it

I understand both sides of this discussion, but there are some red lines, which cannot be crossed...
I am not a professional ME, but I do master music, and I know where I am and where I am going, and who are Bob Katz or Ludwig, and other masters.
However thorough my career I invested in my studio over 20k pounds (about 30k US $) and thousands of hours hard work and learning and it's not over for improvement
I charge as little as 40$, because I know I need to learn a lot and I don't have a name (yet) so my prices are for indie bands and labels, customers who can' afford paying big sums, and I think it is fair.

no offense though, but IMO mastering music for 25$ is an option for people who invested rather in torrent clients then $$$ equipment, and 'master' music on laptop with dodgy speakers with dozens of waves plugins

[Musiclab]

How about this I'll master your song for 25 dollars , I'll put the same amount of care and value you think it's worth, barely anything. Actually the 25 dollars wouldn't cover downloading the track. Please have some respect for your music.

[aleatoric]

I don't really see all the hoopla about someone doing tracks for roughly $25. Different engineers simply have different overhead costs and in many cases can pass the saving on to the client.

Carl Saff for instance charges $6 per minute of audio for new clients only $5 per minute of audio for returning clients. Assuming you are a new client and your song is 4 minute Carl would be charging you roughly $24 a song (plus setup fee and parts). Maybe that is why I heard he is currently booked solid 4 months in advance.

I totally understand why many charge what they do, they have overhead costs, a family to support, very expensive gear and years and years of experience along with a steady client base and reputation to back it all up.

That being said everyone has to start somewhere so I would not immediately dismiss someones skills simply based on there rate (or there gear for that matter). The best way to get a feel for someone mastering approach is through a free sample which roughly 90% of mastering engineers will gladly offer.

One final point $25 a track is really not dirt cheap. A 10 song album would be $250 maybe add on a $25 part fee so $275. An album can easily be completed in a day so $275 a day, maybe this is chump change for some but its not too bad IMHO.

[macc]

Originally Posted by aleatoric

Carl Saff for instance charges $6 per minute of audio for new clients only $5 per minute of audio for returning clients. Assuming you are a new client and your song is 4 minute Carl would be charging you roughly $24 a song (plus setup fee and parts). Maybe that is why I heard he is currently booked solid 4 months in advance.

One final point $25 a track is really not dirt cheap. A 10 song album would be $250 maybe add on a $25 part fee so $275. An album can easily be completed in a day so $275 a day, maybe this is chump change for some but its not too bad IMHO.

[jdg]

just as an aside, i love carls work, "low" rates or not.

he's mastering a new album for me shortly, and he did my previous one.

I LOVE HIS WORK.


also, i know that i will cut ppl discounts if they ask for it and its warranted.
most ppls rates are not set in stone.

[Daniel Stark]

$275 a day SOUNDS okay. But after tax, studio rent, health insurance, equipment maintenance etc., you might take home more like $175. This is with no pension, vacation or sick days, maternity etc.

That's close to what a mastering engineer should earn an hour IMO.

Yes the market is collapsing and artists are financing their own projects. This screws things up royally for the industry (instead of labels dumping in money and sucking it back out) but helping broke artists out by dropping rates through the floor is not a good long term solution.

I know to a certain extent i am howling at the wind since there are already so many (talented) engineers working for cheap.

The same thing is happening in jazz music, people without gigs working for $20 and food. It makes it harder for those who demand a living wage and it cheapens the music all around.

[cazdell]

I'll do it and I won't charge you unless your happy, if you don't like my original master I will do make another until you like what you hear. I have alot of free time right now.

[Waltz Mastering]

I'll do it for a peanut butter samich and a cold bud light. Just kidden. I don't drink... but I will take the peanut butter and jelly samich... Ok, how bout just a reese's peanut butter cup?...... Alright, this is my final offer, One peanut M&M....That is seriously the lowest I will go and not one penny cheaper.

[Thor]

Hey Krush,

I missed out on most of this thread, but...

My guess would be that the majority of these people are honest, hard working and just learning their craft (on your dollar). None of them would be so brazen as to steamroll your tracks through a master 'preset', however that doesn't mean that they'll ever find the right setting on whatever plugin their using on your mixes either

In my mind, charging others for your own education (and your quota of the requisite mistakes) isn't cool, but I guess I'm old skool.

Just look at the numbers. They're doing $25/track, you probably want to offer a discount for many tracks (i.e. albums), but say $250/album, 1 album a day (doing more than 1 a day? Either you're working 12 hour shifts - not good for your aural judgement, have an assistent - how do you pay for an assitent on $25/track, or aren't giving the mixes the attention they deserve...). Fully booked 5 days a week (need to rest). That's $1250/week, or $5000/month. Gross.

Subtract the cost of the studio (if there is indeed a purpose built studio) and the gear, and the operating costs (rent, insurance, telephone, water, electricity, etc). Subtract taxes. How much is left for salaries? How much does it cost to rent or pay a monthly mortgage on an apartment or house where you live? What about the cost of a car, groceries, etc?

This is assuming your fully booked always. Not much room for a buffer there...

Maybe some of the people here (as some other's I've seen) are merely brokers, and send the work on to a low-cost country to be done there. It's done in almost every other industry (rotoscoping in the Philipines, f.x.), why not audio mastering?

I think Daniel made some pretty good points as well. Your skepticism at $15/track should still be valid at $25/track. Look at the reputable studios around you (not the A list places, the solid local people with real experience and years in the profession), what range do the rates occupy? That might give you an idea as to what a good job will cost.

If you've spent time getting everything exactly like you want it in the mix, why would you then shortchange yourself by allotting a budget that is destined to not give you professional results? I don't see the reasoning behind it.

Sorry, I said it.

Anyway, I can't help you for $25, but I hope you find someone who actually does good work and can help you for that. Our rates would be at least 3x your budget per track.

Best of luck,
Thor

Originally Posted by Krush411

Wow since I posted this I have recieved alot of PM's for people offering mastering for only 25 dollars.

I believe that the majority of these people are honest, hardworking and good at thier craft. I would hope this is the case and that they wouldn't just steamroll my track through a master 'preset'

Most offered to do a track for free then if I like it, I can then pay. I got so many offers I do not know who to choose!

I think I will take up these offers and post the results here on this thread.
My ears are not as fine tuned as you guys so I'll put up a poll to see which track in your opinions sounds best sonically and over all and of course I'll weigh that with what I personally think as well.

Thanks again to everyone who offered!

[Krush411]

I totally see where you are coming from, but while your points are valid in a general sense-there is an exception sense as well.

Just like an artist who may charge 20,000 to do a verse on someones track, he may also do a verse for free for an up and comer. Its been done alot-esp in the rap world. 2pac did this ALL THE TIME.

Someones service in perception terms, may well be worth 250/hr. But that person may also do a favor to an artist just by his nature. He may have had a time in his life where he was not in the best position to afford a top notch service. He may relate to someone like me and because of that reach out and provide his services for as low as 25 dollars. It may not be common, but it does happen-there are exceptions-and I'm just looking for someone who is willing to see where I am, and help me out. Its possible.

Like I said, I have recieved many offers via PM-but lets try it out-I will post the masters I recieve for free, and based on the expert ears here and mine-purchase the best sounding one for 25-and who knows, what we all vote on might be the same quality of work someone else paid 250 for

Originally Posted by Thor

Hey Krush,

I missed out on most of this thread, but...

My guess would be that the majority of these people are honest, hard working and just learning their craft (on your dollar). None of them would be so brazen as to steamroll your tracks through a master 'preset', however that doesn't mean that they'll ever find the right setting on whatever plugin their using on your mixes either

In my mind, charging others for your own education (and your quota of the requisite mistakes) isn't cool, but I guess I'm old skool.

Just look at the numbers. They're doing $25/track, you probably want to offer a discount for many tracks (i.e. albums), but say $250/album, 1 album a day (doing more than 1 a day? Either you're working 12 hour shifts - not good for your aural judgement, have an assistent - how do you pay for an assitent on $25/track, or aren't giving the mixes the attention they deserve...). Fully booked 5 days a week (need to rest). That's $1250/week, or $5000/month. Gross.

Subtract the cost of the studio (if there is indeed a purpose built studio) and the gear, and the operating costs (rent, insurance, telephone, water, electricity, etc). Subtract taxes. How much is left for salaries? How much does it cost to rent or pay a monthly mortgage on an apartment or house where you live? What about the cost of a car, groceries, etc?

This is assuming your fully booked always. Not much room for a buffer there...

Maybe some of the people here (as some other's I've seen) are merely brokers, and send the work on to a low-cost country to be done there. It's done in almost every other industry (rotoscoping in the Philipines, f.x.), why not audio mastering?

I think Daniel made some pretty good points as well. Your skepticism at $15/track should still be valid at $25/track. Look at the reputable studios around you (not the A list places, the solid local people with real experience and years in the profession), what range do the rates occupy? That might give you an idea as to what a good job will cost.

If you've spent time getting everything exactly like you want it in the mix, why would you then shortchange yourself by allotting a budget that is destined to not give you professional results? I don't see the reasoning behind it.

Sorry, I said it.

Anyway, I can't help you for $25, but I hope you find someone who actually does good work and can help you for that. Our rates would be at least 3x your budget per track.

Best of luck,
Thor

[Storyville]

If I'm REALLY excited about someone's music AND I think they are really doing something with it, I will work for very cheap.

If I'm working for a VERY CLOSE friend, I will work for whatever they feel they can pay me.

If I'm working with a client that I've worked with many times, who I value as a client, and who treats me with a great deal of respect - I will work for cheap if they are having trouble coming up with the dough.

But for a stranger on gearslutz (no offense). Beyond the fact that accepting that little money devalues the craft, and my own integrity, it's just not enough money for me to pay my bills. And there's the rub. I'm a 100% full time engineer. I don't make money doing anything that isn't related to sound engineering, song writing, or gigging out.

Honestly, 25$ isn't even enough for a consultation.

I understand from a musician's point of view that mastering can be really expensive - but I'd be wary about anyone accepting 25$/song. Yikes.

[Storyville]

Originally Posted by Krush411

I totally see where you are coming from, but while your points are valid in a general sense-there is an exception sense as well.

Just like an artist who may charge 20,000 to do a verse on someones track, he may also do a verse for free for an up and comer. Its been done alot-esp in the rap world. 2pac did this ALL THE TIME.

Someones service in perception terms, may well be worth 250/hr. But that person may also do a favor to an artist just by his nature. He may have had a time in his life where he was not in the best position to afford a top notch service. He may relate to someone like me and because of that reach out and provide his services for as low as 25 dollars. It may not be common, but it does happen-there are exceptions-and I'm just looking for someone who is willing to see where I am, and help me out. Its possible.

Like I said, I have recieved many offers via PM-but lets try it out-I will post the masters I recieve for free, and based on the expert ears here and mine-purchase the best sounding one for 25-and who knows, what we all vote on might be the same quality of work someone else paid 250 for

This is true! Sometimes you luck out and find a beginner who's really good. I wouldn't hold your breath for the 2pac of mastering to come through on the random strength though.