The Best CD Mastering for Bands
Mastering engineers have thousands of recording and mixing techniques to make top notch CD’s and Albums. CD mastering is one of the best secrets of top studios now. As most everything is mixed in the digital realm, the best mastering engineers will do what’s called analog mastering. What happens is the digital signal is converted into an analog signal so it can be mastered through original analog processors, though many times it is also recorded to an two-track system to acheive the fatness that original analog tape gives to the project. It also takes the brittleness away from all digital recordings, and can even out the low end giving the low frequencies that rich analog sound.
Though Analog mastering can cost a little more than basic digital mastering, since it takes additional time and there are additional costs for the analog tape, but for important projects, it can be the final step in accomplishing the best quality for the record. Since digital recordings sound cold to many people because no matter how loud the signal gets, digital always gives you flat reproduction. Analog tape, on the other hand, saturates as the signal increases in level, so heigh end peaks are rounded rather than clipped, which turns into a warm, nice sound as the harmonic series is excited. To the audience, this is more pleasing. In addition, an increased input song will create a larger difference. As the highs saturate first, this transilates that as the signal increases, the highs will naturally smooth out a bit, resulting in a less cold, and a more pleasing recording.
There are several mastering studios around the world that have the tools to do analog mastering, however, it also necessitates you have a solid professional with the proven experience to get the best results possible with the gear. I have tried a few mastering studios and one of incredible sounding is www.stevethomasmastering.com. He is a top CD mastering engineer, yet he also has done thousands of albums as a mixing engineer as well. In addition, his expertise rivals some of the most expensive mastering houses in the country. If you already have someone you are working with that’s great. But, I would certainly to check him out.