A question about mastering

galwaybabe

Hi folks. Our band are going into a studio to record a 3 track EP next week. We are all curious about the mastering process. Is it worth sending the tracks to someone for mastering when there is only 3 of them? If so, is this an expensive process and who would you recommend in the West of Ireland?
Thanks in advance

I realise this is actually 3 questions but I can't change the title. (blush)

Aridstarling

Yes, its probably well worth it if you're serious about the EP. Its not very expensive at all, in the grand scheme of things. Wav Mastering in Limerick gets a lot of love around these parts.

dav nagle

Aridstarling wrote: »

Yes, its probably well worth it if you're serious about the EP. Its not very expensive at all, in the grand scheme of things. Wav Mastering in Limerick gets a lot of love around these parts.

I second that, you cannot give enough love these days.

Paolo_M

dav nagle wrote: »

I second that, you cannot give enough love these days.

Another +1 here.

Make sure you've made solid arrangements, recorded decent sounding tracks (also in time/in tune would be nice), that work well together, and gotten a decent mix first. If not then you're wasting your money like my band did.
We did none of the above unfortunatley.
What's that old saying..."you can't polish a turd".

MilanPan!c

Def be happy with the mix... In fact, ask the engineer if he can recommend a mastering engineer... These people often work kind of collaberatively and a ME that knew the work and gear of your RE might do a slightly better job.


In my experience.

danjokill

+1 for wav mastering I was very happy with some tracks I sent down.

novarock

You can also talk to Aidan Foley in masterlabs. Very helpful guy, and really puts in a lot of time for the amount he charges. We have had our EP mastered by him recently.

masterlabs.net I believe.

I would only master if you are planning to release the tracks or you are sending them to radio/duplication. But make sure you are 100% satisfied with the mix before you do so...

PaulBrewer

Richard in WAV in Limerick is only down the road from you - sure you can get the new train !

Where are you recording ? The studio may have some preference for Mastering Engineer .

galwaybabe

Thanks for all the responses folks. I take the point of asking the studio who they recommend. But on the other hand I would like to go for who the best is as opposed to someone matey with the sound engineer. If you were to choose between Aidan Foley, Robyn Robins or WAV who would you go for if it was an acoustic based sound (i.e. whistle, mandolin, double bass etc). I presume some guys end up specialising in particular genres, yeah? They are all in and around the same price.
Can I just add that I know all these guys are experts and that it may be a wee bit unfair to publicly state a preference. A PM would suffice. Ta

johnnylakes

Cannot recommend Aidan Foley enough...fantastic work and a true gentleman.

galwaybabe

Bump
Cos I'm still in a quandry.

FlyingCircus

I usually work with MSB mastering in Belfast.

Darrell it's a great engineer working fast and clean without ruin your mixes.

If you need it's number send me a PM

novarock

you do have the name/contact details for most of the engineers that you would need to speak to?

PaulBrewer

galwaybabe wrote: »

Bump
Cos I'm still in a quandry.

Why ?

galwaybabe

novarock

you do have the name/contact details for most of the engineers that you would need to speak to?

I do indeed.
PaulBrewer

Why ?

Because I've never had something mastered before and I want to get it right. I didn't get very many responses last time hence the bumping. Worked for me, got some very useful PMs. (Thanks guys. )

PaulBrewer

galwaybabe wrote: »

novarock
I do indeed.
PaulBrewer

Because I've never had something mastered before and I want to get it right. I didn't get very many responses last time hence the bumping. Worked for me, got some very useful PMs. (Thanks guys. )

And isn't a guy who's down the road (Limerick) and who has a CV with more UK and International Hits than most people have CDs not worth a try ?

There is no definitive 'best' especially in mastering - give it a go is the only way.

galwaybabe

PaulBrewer wrote: »

And isn't a guy who's down the road (Limerick) and who has a CV with more UK and International Hits than most people have CDs not worth a try ?

There is no definitive 'best' especially in mastering - give it a go is the only way.

I totally agree with you Paul, the only way is to give it a go. The thing is we don't have a huge amount of cash to play with so we really want to make sure we get the right person for the job. To be honest, geography isn't an issue any more and the fact that someone is just down the road from me would not have any bearing on any decision-making. I don't doubt the guy in Limerick's ability by the way.

PaulBrewer

My point about WAV being near is that it's easy for you to attend and play your part in the Mastering.

galwaybabe

PaulBrewer wrote: »

My point about WAV being near is that it's easy for you to attend and play your part in the Mastering.

I take your point Paul.

TelePaul

galwaybabe wrote: »

I take your point Paul.

Most of us have at one time or another!

novarock

mastering is not an expensive process either, it shouldnt cost you any more than 200 euro for an absolutely top job.. How many tracks are you mastering?

galwaybabe

novarock wrote: »

mastering is not an expensive process either, it shouldnt cost you any more than 200 euro for an absolutely top job.. How many tracks are you mastering?

We're mastering 3 tracks. Been quoted from €50 a track to $100 a track

old gregg

€50 a track is a good price if the person knows what they are doing. If a pro quoted me 50 a track I'd go with it and enjoy the results.

MASTERLABS

to Galwaybabe----At Masterlabs , we only charge you if you are 100% happy with the mastering. So you have nothing to loose. All the best, Aidan Foley.