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Atlantis' new mastering topic
Some of you may remember me across various EDM forums and here. Well, after a long period of absence I'm back and willing to master tracks! Note this is not a commercial endeavour; I'm just wanting to fill my free time mastering and helping people achieve a full and polished sound.
Also please don't be hating on this topic with you need such and such to master and have the perfect listening environment and so on - while all that is probably true I do have the basic equipment and tools needed and have been at it for many years now so you can expect a high standard of quality. I'm good at what I do and I challenge you to hear for yourself.
Any questions you may have, please direct them here or contact me directly.
Please follow these simple steps:
- Ensure any master effects are bypassed and the mix level peaks well below clipping, with the peak level typically around -6 dB and not exceeding -3 dB.
- Send me a 320 kbps MP3 preview so that I can check the levels and listen whether it's ready for mastering; we can make any necessary changes at this stage. Of course you can bypass this step if you're confident your mix is ready.
- Render a high-resolution WAV file of your track typically at 44,100 Hz, 32 bit float. If this option isn't available, use 24 bit. If you're looking for a slight, possible increase in quality (that is if you think your mix or processing utilises frequency space above 22,050 Hz), you can render at 96,000 Hz, but please check this has worked OK because sometimes it can mess any timings up. Your master will be upscaled to 96,000 Hz (oversampling), so the purist may want to use this option.
- Please check the rendered file doesn't clip.
- Compress it with .7z, FLAC, RAR or ZIP. I can't stress this option enough, as it not only saves bandwidth but also ensures a direct 1:1 copy due to error checking.
- Upload it to a site such as MediaFire (recommended), unless you can provide your own hosting.
- Turnaround will be a couple of days and I'll send you a 320 kbps MP3 preview first before sending the 44,100 Hz, 16 bit file, as well as a 24 bit version if required.
About the mastering process:
I use a range of plug-ins to deliver a clean, professional master. You can expect your sound to become balanced, removing any nuances while enhancing others, sound more polished, open, consistent, warmer, and last of all louder. I don't partake in the loudness war but I will push your track as far as it will go, all while retaining pristine dynamics.
A typical mastering project will consist of:
- Fine-tuning the frequency balance using linear-phase equalisation.
- Using compression to optimise and tighten the dynamic range, giving character and definition.
- Using shaping or colouring EQ to further enhance the sound, depending on the track's need.
- Using harmonic excitation to add warmth and sparkle.
- Widening the stereo image.
- Fades and offset correction, depending on the track's BPM.
- Limiting for maximum loudness.
Your master will be processed at 96,000 Hz, floating point, and will be resampled and dithered to 44,100 Hz, 16 bit.
Samples:
Please contact me if you'd like references. You can expect the utmost privacy at all times, and I will password-protect your master before uploading it.
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Put an end to the loudness war. Don't limit or compress your mixdown until mastering; leave the master channel alone.
Contact me for mastering.
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