Recommendations for mixing / mastering engineers

Author
Post
Essentials Only Full Version
karma1959
Max Output Level: -80 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 515
  • Joined: 2008/10/31 10:56:29
  • Location: Brooklyn, NY
  • Status: offline
2016/08/15 14:25:18 (permalink)

Recommendations for mixing / mastering engineers

Hi all,
I'm nearing completion on a project and am considering hiring pros to complete the final mixing touches, and a separate engineer for mastering.  
 
Re: mixing, I think I'm about 85-90% there, but someone with a higher skill level will bring the result to commercial grade quality.  I do want to retain much of the character I've worked hard to attain in the mix (e.g. the basic guitar / vocal / drum sounds, panning, effects, etc.) - so the person would need to be somewhat flexible in their approach.  
 
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Russ

Sonar Platinum x64 on Win10 64, Dell T7400 w/ 8 Xeon cores, 8 Gbyte RAM, 3 hard drives, RME Fireface UFX, UAD-1, Mackie Control, Adam A7X
#1

5 Replies Related Threads
    scook
    Forum Host
    • Total Posts : 24146
    • Joined: 2005/07/27 13:43:57
    • Location: TX
    • Status: offline
    Re: Recommendations for mixing / mastering engineers 2016/08/15 14:54:03 (permalink)
    PM Danny Danzi. He might be available.
    #2
    John T
    Max Output Level: -7.5 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 6783
    • Joined: 2006/06/12 10:24:39
    • Status: offline
    Re: Recommendations for mixing / mastering engineers 2016/08/15 15:04:16 (permalink)
    I don't generally promote myself on here, as it doesn't seem in the spirit of the place, and obviously, I can't "recommend" myself as such, but I do make a living mixing and mastering in Sonar.
     
    http://johntatlockaudio.com/
     
     

    http://johntatlockaudio.com/
    Self-build PC // 16GB RAM // i7 3770k @ 3.5 Ghz // Nofan 0dB cooler // ASUS P8-Z77 V Pro motherboard // Intel x-25m SSD System Drive // Seagate RAID Array Audio Drive // Windows 10 64 bit // Sonar Platinum (64 bit) // Sonar VS-700 // M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 // KRK RP-6 Monitors // and a bunch of other stuff
    #3
    konradh
    Max Output Level: -42 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 3325
    • Joined: 2006/01/16 16:07:06
    • Status: offline
    Re: Recommendations for mixing / mastering engineers 2016/08/15 15:17:25 (permalink)
    I mixed myself and engaged a mastering engineer, Craig Anderton.  I don't know if he currently has bandwidth for more projects, but he did a phenomenal job.
     
    Some mastering engineers will call out any major mix problems so you can fix them before the mastering, but you won't get that level of attention from a discount house.
     
    I am leery of mastering houses I don't know because they may just be running your tracks through a standard hi-pass filter and generic compression set-up without attention to your music.  The cheaper the service, the more likely that will happen.
     
    One big factor is whether this is a fan release for live shows or a barcoded product that will be on your website, iTunes, GooglePlay, Amazon, etc. in which case the quality and details will matter more and you may be willing to pay more.

    Konrad
    Current album and more: http://www.themightykonrad.com/

    Sonar X1d Producer. V-Studio 700. PC: Intel i7 CPU 3.07GHz, 12 GB RAM. Win 7 64-bit. RealGuitar, RealStrat, RealLPC, Ivory II, Vienna Symphonic, Hollywood Strings, Electr6ity, Acoustic Legends, FabFour, Scarbee Rick/J-Bass/P-Bass, Kontakt 5. NI Session Guitar. Boldersounds, Noisefirm. EZ Drummer 2. EZ Mix. Melodyne Assist. Guitar Rig 4. Tyros 2, JV-1080, Kurzweil PC2R, TC Helicon VoiceWorks+. Rode NT2a, EV RE20. Presonus Eureka.  Rokit 6s. 
    #4
    John T
    Max Output Level: -7.5 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 6783
    • Joined: 2006/06/12 10:24:39
    • Status: offline
    Re: Recommendations for mixing / mastering engineers 2016/08/15 15:35:03 (permalink)
    That last point there is very much worth thinking about, yeah.
     
    This is why I don't think LANDR is actually mastering (or at least not with a capital M). Not really making a comment on the sonic qualities of it, but LANDR doesn't spit out duplication-ready files with ISRC codes embedded or any of that kind of thing. Nor does it provide different source files for vinyl, CD or streaming. Or any of the stuff that mastering actually *is* when you get down to it.

    http://johntatlockaudio.com/
    Self-build PC // 16GB RAM // i7 3770k @ 3.5 Ghz // Nofan 0dB cooler // ASUS P8-Z77 V Pro motherboard // Intel x-25m SSD System Drive // Seagate RAID Array Audio Drive // Windows 10 64 bit // Sonar Platinum (64 bit) // Sonar VS-700 // M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 // KRK RP-6 Monitors // and a bunch of other stuff
    #5
    karma1959
    Max Output Level: -80 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 515
    • Joined: 2008/10/31 10:56:29
    • Location: Brooklyn, NY
    • Status: offline
    Re: Recommendations for mixing / mastering engineers 2016/08/16 08:37:14 (permalink)
    Thanks for the recommendations above, I'll reach out to the people mentioned to see if they're a potential fit..
     
    I completely agree with the advantages cited above with a proper mastering process and engineer over and above an automated solution or low cost mastering house - exactly why I'm looking for someone to do the job properly. 
     
    Please keep the recommendations coming!

    Sonar Platinum x64 on Win10 64, Dell T7400 w/ 8 Xeon cores, 8 Gbyte RAM, 3 hard drives, RME Fireface UFX, UAD-1, Mackie Control, Adam A7X
    #6
    Jump to:
    © 2025 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1