Pure Sound Mastering
Mastering is the last step in the production of your music. We have all heard the term "Digitally Remastered". But what is mastering? Basically, after all the recording and mixing has
been done, you end up with a 2 track stereo mix. From there it is run through either some analog equipment for compression
and equalizing, or done with mastering software.
Software for this purpose does the mastering extremely well. It has many advantages over analog mastering,
such as the ability to "save" settings for future remasters if necessary. A lot of mastering is done with software
these days, and it is our preference. With analog mastering, the 2 track mix has to go through an additional digital to analog conversion, then analog to digital again. With every conversion, you loose some fidelity.
Over the years, we have used many types of hardware
and software for mastering, but our mastering software of choice is Isotope Ozone II. It
is extremely detailed and transparent, the results are simply amazing. You can literally take a dull, lifeless
sounding mix, to a level beyond your expectations. Any mix, no matter how good it sounds without mastering, well simply
sound stunning after mastering.
There are two elements in this process, Corrective and Enhancement. If there
is a problem area in the mix, such as a boomy or thuddy low end, due to inaccurate monitoring
while mixing, and remixing is not an option, corrective mastering well fix that problem with the use of EQ and multiband
compression.
Enhancement Mastering brings out more clarity,
detail, depth and
punch. It gives the over all sound a wider
stereo image and energy. This is why we use Ozone Mastering. It does this better than anything we have ever heard.We use it as
an "Audio Suite" plug-in with Pro Tools. Another words, the mix is not run through Ozone
in real time. This also makes a difference in how long it takes to master an album.
The room and monitors play a critical role in accurate monitoring. What is accurate monitoring? It is being able to hear clearly
what is actually there in detail, to make the correct adjustments to bring out the best
in your sound. Our mastering room is 16 by 25 feet and is acoustically balanced. We
master using GENELEC 1032A monitors with a 1092 Subwoofer. The subwoofer allows you to hear
down to 20 hertz. With a big low end in todays music, you really need to be able to hear it. In a room this size, you can
hear the low end.
Mastering
these days has taken an unfortunate turn known as the loudness wars. Another words, some producers and record labels try to
make the CD louder than another artists, simply because it gives the impression that it sounds better. But it is actually
only a matter of turning up the volume control on whatever your listening on. Another term for this is "Smashtering".
Smashtering kills the natural dynamic range of music. If you have ever listened to classical music, some parts are so quiet
you can hardly hear it, then is so loud you have to turn it down. This is what's known as dynamic range. At Pure Sound,
we can make your album loud, with a minimal loss of the full dynamic range of your music.
When your ready to master your project, how you have
it done, either analog or digitally, where you have it done, and by who, well get you different results. You can take the
same mix to 5 different studios and have 5 different sounds. For this reason, we have a unique offer here at Pure Sound where
we well master 1 song for you at no charge, burn it to a CD so you can hear for yourself what to expect before making a decision.
Interesting reading on the Loudness War.
