Listen and Learn
Posted on | March 21, 2009 | 1 Comment
I have a good reputation as a mastering engineer, built over the last 9 years working with hundreds of clients all over the world in just about every genre. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have things to learn, or that I never miss the mark.
A good example of this is a band I recently worked with. Below is a synopsis from a string of e-mails we exchanged during the mastering process, starting from my first attempts and moving forward. It reminds me of two things:
1) Listening to the client’s request is as important as any knowledge you’ve accrued.
2) Having a good selection of processors is key, as different recordings (and clients) require different approaches.
Version 1 Reference: Client Response
It seems on the reference disc that some upper midrange frequencies have been boosted and it is causing the guitar tones to sound louder and harsher than they should. Also, the attack and clarity of the drums has been affected quite a bit.
I am not sure if this is a product of EQ or compression/limiting, but it is something that needs to be adjusted. The first 30 seconds of Track 1 is a clear example of what I am talking about if you A-B the final mix and the reference master.
Version 2 Reference: Client Response
Listening to this version, it is not sounding all that different from the previous one. The overall tone as relates to the guitars is a bit better, but the attack of the drums is still sounding buried and there still seems to be quite a bit of compression all around.
Remember, we are looking to stay as true as possible to the vibe of the final mix, we just wanted it a bit clearer and louder.
Version 3 Reference: Client Response
It is so close I can taste it! Overall tone and EQ-wise is sweet but the attack on the drums is still lacking, especially the bass drum.
Version 4 Reference: Client Response
This version sounds great, attack on the drums is back and everything sounds nice.
I want to thank you again for your patience and for coming through with a great sound. Your customer service is unmatched and it is truly appreciated.
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About This Blog
From Ohm to Om reflects the opinions of mastering engineer Paul Abbott, owner of San Diego's ZenMastering.
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March 24th, 2009 @ 7:28 pm
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