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Have you ever wondered why some
CDs sound noticeably better than others on your home or car stereo system? As
expected, the actual recording and mixing process has a major role in
determining the sound. However, there is a
process between completing mix down and manufacturing that
can also make a significant difference.
This process is 'CD Pre Mastering' , more commonly referred to
as 'CD Mastering'. Mastering is the art of
equalizing, balancing and enhancing recorded music to attain the most pleasing
listening experience possible
It's important to understand
that the need for mastering is no reflection on the calibre of the mix, it
is a separate and
critical step in the production chain, applied to all standard of mixes. It's
all about presenting the mix to the listener in
the best possible
light.
This is where Mastering takes place in
the production chain;
1). Recording
2). Mixing
3).
Mastering
4). Manufacturing
What happens to my
recording at the mastering stage?
Equalisation (or
tonal adjustment), is the most important process at the mastering stage.
A mastering suite should be set up so as
the monitoring and acoustics, produce a very accurate and unbiased listening
environment. In this manner, the engineer can clearly identify which frequencies
need adjusting. The final result of equalisation should produce a more detailed
and balanced sounding mix. The engineer
should also be conscious of the different eq styles required for different
genres of music. It is definitely not a case of one eq fits all.
Balancing
levels
between tracks on a CD is crucial in establishing a consistent feel to a
recording. Another related issue is the average, or overall volume of a CD.
Careful use of dynamics processing can assist in raising the average level of a
recording, without detrimentally taking away from its dynamics, energy and
musicality.
Stereo
enhancing is another function of CD mastering. If a recording has poor imaging
(i.e. weak positioning of individual instruments in a
mix), mastering can adjust this problem to create a more three dimensional stereo field.
Crystal Mastering has used its own designed, stereo enhancement processor, for
over a decade, to correct & sweeten up mixes.
Digital editing
through the use of high end mastering software is another advantage of
mastering. This allows very precise and intricate cutting and pasting of audio
segments as well as basic compiling of album tracks. Un-wanted clicks and noises at the beginning of tracks can
also be removed as well fades being placed at the tail of songs. This stage
allows the artist to determine what sort of spacing should be inserted between
individual tracks.
Accurate PQ encoding
ensures that your CD's index points will start exactly where you want them to,
even between crossfades and complex edits.
Noise removal
is an option at the mastering stage which enables 'tape hiss' or 'electronic
noise' to be removed from the rest of the music. Audio Restoration is an extension of this process where aging
and deteriorating recordings can be sonically cleaned for re-release purposes. Sophisticated mastering software is able
to remove noise and hiss as well as crackles, pops and
clicks. Crystal Mastering employs the famous, NoNoise Restoration Sytem, which
is still regarded as the finest restoration software ever made.
Attaining a High Quality
Production Master is also part of the mastering session. Our masters
are guaranteed to
meet all industry specifications and
ensure you have a trouble free manufacturing experience. We can provide
masters
as either CD-DA or as a DDP
file.
Checking the final
result
At the end of the mastering
session, the artist leaves the studio with a CD copy of the Production master
(often called a 'Reference Disc'). This allows the artist to listen to the final
product within the real world, before committing to any sort of mass production.
In essence, the most important tools at the
mastering stage are the ears of the mastering engineer. If nothing else, the
mastering process can be deemed a safety net, with an experienced music listener
providing fresh and unbiased opinion on the recording.
An important aspect to recognize
is that a mastering session should not be utilized as a major salvage operation.
If you get it right in the recording and mix down, your time spent in mastering
will be highly constructive, better value and provide superior results. Remember
that mastering should be the icing on the cake, the final sprinkle of fairy
dust, the last drizzle of olive oil, the last stroke on a masterpiece, the
topping...... you get the picture.
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