What To Look For In An Audio Mastering Studio

An audio mastering studio plays a very important role in audio recording, and no CD or MP3 could ever be called a finished product without undergoing audio mastering. So its not surprising that mastering is also referred to as the process of “finalizing” the audio recording product.

Any type of audio recording (especially audio book recordings) should undergo the mastering process if it is to come out as a perfect audio rendition of its original. Take the case of audio book recordings which undergo mastering before they are burned into CDs or DVDs for distribution, and before they are uploaded into the Internet to be sold or given away for free.

One thing to point out though, is that audio mastering studios usually possess audio equipment that is so expensive that few studios can have these.

However, despite the fact that audio mastering devices are expensive, anyone interested in the process can attempt it using a computer equipped with plug-in technology. However, do not expect the same results as that produced by commercial and more expensive audio mastering equipment that can do P&Q subcoding and so on, and produce perfect audio through the use of special equalizers, reference monitors that are accurate to a T, and tube compressors.

If you want to have your audio file mastered by the best audio mastering studios in the business, then here are some of them:

Cue It makes use of Manley MU variable Tube Compressor which is responsible for the punch and smoothness of the final audio recording. The studio’s Focusrite Red 2 Stereo Equalizer is able to correct compromised mixing and recording problems and as well as improve the clarity of audio frequencies. Its mastering engineers rely on Genelec 1031A Reference Monitors to hear the exact audio status of the recording to be able to clean the recording. They won the Best Studio award for three consecutive years and boast experienced and efficient mastering engineers and other staff.

TurtleTone Studio
This is an audio mastering studio that offers mastering or finalizing work for CDs and DVD-A as well as audio restoration of DVDs. They are able to provide quality mastering work through the following mastering equipment (and several more!):
* Focusrite stereo EQ
* Apogee Rosetta 200 24bit/192khz with SRC
* Weiss EQ1-LP/DYN 40 bit 96k digital mastering EQ
* Weiss DS1-MK2 40 bit 96k mastering compressor
* Plextor, Richo, Yamaha, Pioneer, and Sony CDR burners
* Sony DigiBeta, Beta SP, Beta SX, Betacam, IMX Players
* Clover QA-101 CD analyzer

Those who would like to avail of their mastering services will have to pay $150 for a one hour mastering session with Michael Fossenkemper and $75 for a one hour mastering session with Alex Theoret.

Jigsaw Sound mastering
This is a world-class audio mastering studio that was established in 2001 and became popular as one of the premier mastering establishments in New York. What make it stand out from the rest are the affordable rates which affords even small time artists the chance to have their audios mastered. It does not boast of a sophisticated office or location but it offers the almost 4-years collective experience of its mastering engineers and staff.

Audio mastering studios are said to be the icing on the expression of every musician’s talent. Without them, virtually all audio recordings would be characterized by disturbing noises and other imperfections that can take away the quality of any recording no matter how good the artist is.

Audio Recording