The Best CD Mixing and Mastering for Musicians
Something called Analog mastering is one of the best kept secrets of top producers now. As most everything is mixed in the digital realm, top mastering houses will do something called analog mastering. The digital signal is converted into an analog signal in order to be mastered through analog processors, though in many instances it is also recorded to an analog two-track system to get the fatness that original analog tape gives to the recording. It also takes the brittleness away from purely digital recordings, and can even out the bottom end giving the low frequencies that signature analog sound.
Though Analog CD mastering can cost a bit more than traditional all digital mastering, as it takes more time and there are additional costs for the analog tape, but for important projects, it can be the end step in getting the top quality for the album. The reason for this is digital recordings can feel cold to a lot of listeners because regardless of how loud the sound gets, digital always gives you accurate yet flat reproduction. Analog tape, on the other hand, saturates as the volume increases in level, so high-ends are smoothed over rather than clipped, which becomes a warm, fat feel as the harmonic series is balanced out. It is a modified signal from the original which the human ear finds very pleasing. Also, an increased input signal will result in a exaggerated difference. Since the highs saturate first, this means that as the signal becomes louder, the highs naturally soften up, creating a less harsh, and a more pleasing recording.
There are many mastering houses around the United States that have the equipment to do CD mastering, however, you also need to have an engineer with the proven experience to get the best results possible with the studio. I have tested out a few recording studios and one of the most impressive is www.stevethomasmastering.com. He is a top analog mastering engineer, yet he also has done 1000s of albums as a recording engineer as well. Not only that, his results is comparable to some of the most pricey mastering houses in the country. If you already have someone you are working with that’s great. But, I would certainly to give him a call. Seriously!
