Looking to master our first demo - Advice?

[chiimba]

I posted this in the low end theory page with a lot of views and no responses so far but this may be the more appropriate place.

I'm in the midst of finishing the mixing for an 8 song demo right now and want to get it mastered. I don't know anybody personally that does this although I've started asking around with musicians and other people but haven't had a ton of luck so far. The only local person I know of didn't get great reviews by the friend I had that used him.

There are a lot of companies that seem to offer services online ($20 or $25 a song or $200 for a collection of songs. Is that normal because it seems cheap?). The before and after samples I've listened to on a lot of these sites are solid but my fear is that they put a lot of work into those samples; and will not put the same work into my CD.

I guess my question is: Has anyone worked with or recommend a company that does decent & trustworthy work? Will they personally work with me so we're both on the same page in what I want out of the process?

I am really mainly looking to get a louder uniform volume right now throughout all the songs (which is pretty much all mastering I guess)...maybe a little punchier; but not looking for much more.

You can private message me if you want. I was also thinking about uploading a song on here to solicit potential services.

Thanks!

[Dene]

this post belongs in the where to sub-page...I suggest you post a link to a wav file and have people submit a demo of their skills using your track and an estimate for their work.

[Red Mastering]

grab your favorite CD (similar music genre) and check leaflet for info who mastered album,
ask your music mates for recommendation,
online mastering guys provide free sample preview
I wouldn't fear about they not putting 100% into it,
more important is how you judge 1 song, if this is about whole album ?
mastering album and single is different job,
check GS, here were many threads about it - could give you some directions

good luck

[chiimba]

Originally Posted by Dene

this post belongs in the where to sub-page...I suggest you post a link to a wav file and have people submit a demo of their skills using your track and an estimate for their work.

Oops! Didn't see that. I apologize... I can be such a chicken mcNooblet sometimes

[chiimba]

Originally Posted by Red Mastering

grab your favorite CD (similar music genre) and check leaflet for info who mastered album,
ask your music mates for recommendation,
online mastering guys provide free sample preview
I wouldn't fear about they not putting 100% into it,
more important is how you judge 1 song, if this is about whole album ?
mastering album and single is different job,
check GS, here were many threads about it - could give you some directions

good luck

Thanks for the advice. I get the song vs album concept. Most of the songs vary in style but have the same basic instrumentations. I'm just pumped up to be close to finally have a real demo for our band so we can focus on promoting ourselves; playing live; etc.


And thanks for the PMs from all. I work as a financial analyst (at work now) and am pretty busy but I wanted to get the ball rolling on the How-am-I-going-to-get-this-mastered stage now. I'll follow up as soon as I can.

[SCDBM]

Originally Posted by Red Mastering

grab your favorite CD (similar music genre) and check leaflet for info who mastered album,
ask your music mates for recommendation,
online mastering guys provide free sample preview
I wouldn't fear about they not putting 100% into it,
more important is how you judge 1 song, if this is about whole album ?
mastering album and single is different job,
check GS, here were many threads about it - could give you some directions

good luck

This!

[ritelec]

Originally Posted by chiimba

I work as a financial analyst (at work now)

No offense.

I'm old.
I remember when you went to work.... there where no phone calls on company time (cell phones) or "googling" on company time.


The times.....they are a changing............