| It's just plain criminal... Mastering studios | | | | |
| that take your hard-earned money and then | | | | 3. Responsive. A good mastering engineer |
| give you mastered tracks worse or no better | | | | works one-on-one with the client throughout |
| than the original mix! | | | | the entire mastering process to achieve the |
| | | | best result. |
| You see, good mastering is balancing act. | | | | |
| Because as soon as you adjust one part of the | | | | This is important to maintain the artists |
| audio track (such as boost loudness), then | | | | vision of what they want their tracks to |
| several other factors change as well. | | | | sound like. The last thing you want is to |
| | | | work with someone who demands on changing the |
| When looking for a mastering engineer, there | | | | music to how they think it should be, instead |
| are 5 important qualities you should look | | | | of what you really want. |
| for: | | | | |
| | | | Moreover, a good mastering engineer should |
| 1. Experience. You want somebody who knows | | | | also give feedback on what needs to be done |
| what to listen for and what to do when a | | | | to get the right sound. |
| mistake is noticed. Each type of music has | | | | |
| its unique quirks that takes hundreds of | | | | 4. Good ears. Since every track is different, |
| working hours discover them all. | | | | a good mastering engineer needs to know what |
| | | | to listen for. You should think of a |
| Additionally, the engineer should have | | | | mastering engineer as a musical artist. |
| experience with your medium (such as CDs, | | | | |
| Vinyl, or DVDs). | | | | 5. Dedication. Finally, your mastering |
| | | | engineer should be dedicated to doing the |
| 2. The right equipment. Mastering studios | | | | best job possible. You want somebody who is |
| spend countless thousands of dollars on | | | | going to stick with your project, until it's |
| getting the best equipment for a reason. Each | | | | the best it can be. Not someone who calls it |
| piece allows the engineer more flexibility in | | | | quits soon after they start. |
| getting the right sound. | | | | |
| | | | After all, every little bit counts to give |
| This alone is an important reason for going | | | | you the edge in a very competitive market |
| with a pro. | | | | place. |