EVER
WONDER why CDs at the store usually sound so good? They’ve all gone
through a process called mastering. This is where the polish is put on, so
to speak. The mastering engineer can make or break the sound of a CD.
 Some
of the work done in mastering involves balancing the volume from song to
song, so that it’s consistent. Equalization, using frequency-dependent
compression and different kinds of professional equalizers, can shape the
tone of songs, so they fit together well. The mastering engineer can add
ambience or a little reverb or compression, depending on the needs of the
project and the target market. Mastering also involves adding PQ codes, to
assist the duplicator, track song times, and enable songs to be selected
by number.
The
mastering engineer here at Oak Grove Recording has a pair of the finest
“ears” in the business. Many times, clients have brought us a CD that
had been mastered by one of the big, expensive mastering facilities and
that they were not happy with. We’ve always remastered it in less time
and for less money than the other facility, and it’s always come out
better. Some clients have told us we “blew away” the competition for
half the money or less.
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“Working
with engineer Joe Laquidara at Oak Grove Recording was a calm and
cool experience. Our song ‘Made for Killin’ hit the top 5 on
WAAF’s Baystate Rock for September in 1996. Tracked back when Oak
Grove had a 16-track one-inch tape machine, I can only imagine what
it would sound like with the two-inch tape machine they now have.
Look out!!!”
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—
Bill Restuccia
of the band “Jozlin Bones” |
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After
all the time you spend recording your project, you want proper mastering
to bring out the best in your recording. It’s the finishing touch before
your CD is released to the public. We've described a few of the things
mastering can do, but there are many more. Cleaning up projects that were
poorly recorded, mixed, or mastered can bring them to life. Give us a call
for a free consultation on mastering your project.
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