Mastering- will work for samples.

[TheEastGateMS]

anyone working on hip hop need some mastering? i can give you a great deal, or maybe work for free. i need hip hop samples for my site since i just started adverts on google. if you don't like my work, there is no obligation. also, acoustic stuff would be good. piano and voice, guitar and voice, etc.

and just so everyone doesn't get mad at me for using the forum for asking this, regardless of style, mention this thread in the \"notes\" of the signup page and get 33% off.

daved


http://www.EastGateMastering.com

btw, i'll edit this post when i stop offering the 33% off, so if you see it, then you get it.

 

[TheEastGateMS]

bump.

 

[RyanR]

I didn't know I had a \"world class\" mastering chain!
I use BM15As and a DAC-1 as well, but is that really \"world class\"?

Also, I'm just curious - how did you learn to master tracks? Did you receive any formal training?

 

[TheEastGateMS]

I use BM15As and a DAC-1 as well, but is that really "world class"?
. . . how did you learn to master tracks? Did you receive any formal training?

uhhh, yeah. it's a pretty top notch setup.

i do not have formal training. i only have a very small desire for that. regarding "the arts," i find that of the 30 or so friends i have that have gone to school for graphics or audio engineering, none are truly well equipped for the real world of their respective trades. btw, i live 20 minutes from citrus college which has one of the best studios in america and 45 minutes from the la recording workshop/musicians institute.
i have over 20 world-wide releases in which i was the graphic designer for, i've edited a film that is going out to latin film festivals this year, ran my own studio for 3 years now, built many local and national websites (informational only, my site is the only one incorporating e-commerce or ftp; most are defunct now), mastering is the fastest growing part of my business, etc., and i am only 23.
despite my age and lack of "schooling," i let me work stand on it's own. if you don't like my work, it probably is not because i am young or inexperienced, it is probably because you don't like my style. i have been self employed since 16 and have never needed to work for anyone else.
strangely, almost every time i reach the third session or project with a client, most of them ask me if i have ever been trained at what i do. i try not to chuckle and simply tell them that my views are against being schooled for the arts and then we complete our project and move on the next. i have never lost a client over this. in fact, a lot of them loosen up and seem to trust me more since most are artists and don't rely on schooling either. but maybe it's just because i am honest with them?
anywho, back to mastering . . . i use nothing "automatic," and have spent years finding out what makes that "big label" sound. but once you know good technique, no matter what technique it is, it all comes down to your ears. so then, check out my samples, and let me know what you think. if i can improve, then help me out. : )
daved

 

[Cat5]

I didn't know I had a "world class" mastering chain!
I use BM15As and a DAC-1 as well, but is that really "world class"?

Also, I'm just curious - how did you learn to master tracks? Did you receive any formal training?

You don't - you only have part. The biggest component in a world class mastering chain is a pair of experienced ears. Last i checked you could not find these at Sweetwater or Ebay.

And keep in mind, of the three friends I have that went to Full Sail, only one works in a studio....and he does it for free. School aint all its' cracked up to be unless you want to be a doctor or lawyer.

Shane

 

[TheEastGateMS]

shane, can you pm, or email me with opinions of the samples on my site? i would gladly compensate you. i will give you details if you reply. : )
cheers
daved

 

[Guest]

I didn't know I had a "world class" mastering chain!
I use BM15As and a DAC-1 as well, but is that really "world class"?

uhhh, yeah. it's a pretty top notch setup.

I've heard BM15s and DAC-1s called many things indeed, but world class mastering chain is hardly one of them. I would imagine it depends on what world you're on. :lol:

Ack Ack.

 

[Cat5]

shane, can you pm, or email me with opinions of the samples on my site? i would gladly compensate you. i will give you details if you reply. : )
cheers
daved

Funny you should ask! I was listening to those samples before dinner and thought they sounded pretty good, of course I was on multimedia speakers. I will give a listen in the studio later and PM you my opinions. I always love listening to samples on studio sites. Sometimes they give me confidence, other times I am much humbled.

My first impression of your samples is that they sounded very full and balanced. I, of course, liked the mastered version best on the mastering samples but I don't know how much the volume increase influenced my decision either. When i listen in the studio I will have a more accurate opinion.

I have just spent the last few weeks listening to all of my music on my new BM6's (with Velodyne Sub) trying to learn their sound, and am pretty in tune with them now. It never dawned on me how much music I think is mixed and mastered terribly. So much of the dance stuff is compressed into distortion!

Shane

 

[TheEastGateMS]

I've heard BM15s and DAC-1s called many things indeed, but world class mastering chain is hardly one of them.:lol:

first of all, i stated "world class MONITORING chain."

becuase i use near-midfields for mastering instead of farfields, and thusly not as commonly used for mastering, it does not change the quality of sound or suitability for this.

in fact, if you read reviews on these units, you will find that within a reasonable price point that this is one of the best chains around. of course there is opinion involved in this assessment, and the formation of my opinion was based around this unit's competing products within about two thousand dollars. i did not compare these to $11,000 each adams so don't go there.

second, when amazing records have been made on such gear as adats and ns10s, where do you think you can get off bitching about somone stating bm15s and a dac-1 as a top notch monitoring chain? is it simply semantics? would it make you feel better if i put "top of the line?"

this is even disregarding that my current statement fits with the definition "world class" since audio quality is almost always opinion anyway.

is it just me, or is it troubling that people are so silly about things like this? i make an offer of free or cheap work in return for a sample to use on my site, i extend a discount to everyone for taking up space on this forum and i get flamed. worry about yourself and help others, not vice versa.

back to my original post, if anyone has some hiphop stuff needing mastering, read above and get back to me. thanx.

daved

 

[TheEastGateMS]

My first impression of your samples is that they sounded very full and balanced. I, of course, liked the mastered version best on the mastering samples but I don't know how much the volume increase influenced my decision either. When i listen in the studio I will have a more accurate opinion.

a benefit of my technique is that it is easier to make the material simply sound like i turned up the volume and did not compress it much. hehe. obviously, you can hear that it is compressed, but in my opinion it comes out extremely natural compared to the volume whoring going on right now. not to mention all the crappy mastering studios out there using finalizers and multiband comps to destroy their projects.

my clips will stand up to most retail cds and, if i wanted to, i could take it a small amount further. but i just try to find a balance of loud and proper.

if you want, you can register on my transfers page and i can upload to your account an unmastered and mastered clip for you to see that they are truly peaking equally.

I have just spent the last few weeks listening to all of my music on my new BM6's (with Velodyne Sub) trying to learn their sound, and am pretty in tune with them now. It never dawned on me how much music I think is mixed and mastered terribly. So much of the dance stuff is compressed into distortion!

aren't those dyns worth so much more than they go for?!!

daved

 

[Cat5]

Daved,

Tell me how to register on your site. I would like to hear the difference a decent wav or high bit rate mp3 makes. I listened in the studio, and to be honest I think the MP3 rate got in the way of judging your overall quality. I am one who is very sensitive to mp3 artifacts, except where only a few instruments are present. Complex mixes turn to staticky mess when mp3'd at average bitrates. Your stuff sounds about like most mp3 you find on the web though, so you must be doing something right!

I do love the BM6's...now. It took Eric a while to get them in (he doesn't stock passives) and the anticipation was killing me. When I finally hooked them up (Hafler P1500 -> central station) I was terribly upset. I hated them. I tried to force myself to like them but there was a horrible BUZZY midrange I could not stand. I had heard the actives and loved them, but I wouldn't dare suspect the Hafler. I started thinking room....

Well, after 24 hours woofer to woofer with a mono signal, and one speaker out of phase - and then about another 20 hours of general listening they all of the sudden started sounding amazing! I can't believe there are speakers that need that much break in, but they went from unacceptable to awesome so I guess there's quite a bit to that!

Honestly guys...I don't think the Benchmark into the Hafler P3000 running well placed BM15s is going to cloud anyone's ability to get a great sound. If you can't get what you need with that set up I'd start looking elswehere for your problems. True there are better monitors to be had if cost is no issue, but better by how much? 5% - 10%? You'll find greater differences than that if you compare the ears of two of the best mastering engineers out there. Dynaudio is one of the best loudspeaker makers in the world...and that's pretty much undisputed by most who know speakers well. Try their monitors and you WILL like what you hear.

Shane

 

[TheEastGateMS]

Daved,

Tell me how to register on your site. I would like to hear the difference a decent wav or high bit rate mp3 makes. I listened in the studio, and to be honest I think the MP3 rate got in the way of judging your overall quality. I am one who is very sensitive to mp3 artifacts, except where only a few instruments are present.

to sign up, just visit http://Transfers.TheEastGate.net and click on register at the top.

just so you know that i know . . . my clips are pushed by about 3 db more than i would prefer on almost every one, but i gotta play the (loudness) game, ya know?

also, i am considering putting up wav versions on the site. large files for a website always make me cautious. unless there is a skip button.
daved

 

[Cat5]

It seems everyone has been forced into the loudness game. Bob Ludwig gave a talk at the University of Miami and went into detail about how even he generally makes things louder than he would like, right off the bat.

A number of records have been destroyed by this...of course the Chili Peps, the last Rush album, Gwen Stefani, etc. I guess its' a trend we'll not see turn around any time soon.

Shane

 

[Rankus]

The worst mastering job I have heard in the last ten years has to be the Ashlee Simpson disc.....

 

[RyanR]

Whoa . . . hold up. Let me explain myself a little better . . .

I have BM15As and a DAC-1 as well - the combination is outstanding. Paired with some reference monitors, like auratones or minimus 7s, it's a killer mixing and mastering system. They are also great for creating music on, which is another reason I choose them. So, yes, it is a top notch system (why the hell do you think I bought it! lol) - but is it a \"world class monitoring chain\"?

Sure, it's just semantics, but \"world class\" has a definition:

http://www.freesearch.co.uk/dictionary/world-class
http://www.wordreference.com/definition/world-class
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/world-class

When I hear \"world class\", I think of THE BEST in the world. So, I read your comment as \"I have one of the best monitoring chains in the world\". Basically, I think using the phrase \"world class\" is just way too strong. Why? Well, you say \"don't go there\" about a comparison to ADAM MP1-As, so I won't . . .

But, here are a few more problems I got:

(1) The quote in question is \"world class monitoring chain and an all digital signal path\". You make it sound like an all digital signal path is \"world class\". Now, don't get me wrong, I am NOT saying you can't do a great job with plugins (and getting better all the time), but certain hardware still does it better. But hey, you didn't explicity say \"world class signal path\", so you could argue this is a weak point. That's fine . . .

(2) Here's the biggest problem - what about your room? Now, maybe it's just how I think about it, but I consider the room a part of the monitoring chain, it has a big impact on how you perceive the sound. But yet, your whole webpage doesn't have any pictures of your studio, or say anything about your room. How can you say one of the most important aspects in mastering are \"ears\" (which I obviously agree with), but not mention your room? That makes me wonder about this quote on your tips page: \"IF IT SOUNDS RIGHT, IT IS RIGHT.\" How do you know? If you've done acoustic treatment, why not talk about it on your webpage?

(3) I consider the \"ears\" to be part of the monitoring chain (and whats between them) - the most important part. You're only 23. Now, who knows, maybe you're a mastering prodigy who hears it all already, but most people I know have had the way they perceive audio change with the more experience they gain, I know I have. Again, I am NOT saying you can't be a great mastering engineer at that age (I'm only 26 btw), but I doubt you are \"world class\".

Anyway, IMO, you don't have a \"world class monitoring chain\". In fact, saying that you do, but then providing no information on your acoustical space, makes me not want to hire you. For me, it cheapens your business. I wasn't flaming you - in fact, I'm trying to help you by telling you that comment may make some people turn away from your business. It may be trivial to you, but it might not be so trivial to potential customers. But hey, I'm just one guy in cyberspace, so can we move along? I've already spent way too much time talking about \"world class\", as if I actually care that much - lol. I didn't like the choice of words . . . So what? It's all relative anyway.

About my second comment, I was serious. I mean, I own all the hardware you use, and I master stuff for friends. I haven't decided to make a business out of it yet because I don't have the time quite yet. I keep trying to think of ways to proactively practice mastering and was asking if you had some ideas. Nevermind . . .

Lastly, I just want to say I wasn't trying to flame you at all. My first comment was supposed to be sarcastic, but I guess it didn't get there. Whoops. Why you guys gotta be so defensive? Geez . . .

 

[TheEastGateMS]

Why you guys gotta be so defensive? Geez . . .

there was and is no reason for this thread to have gone this way.

i will repeat. i came to offer and also ask for help. i further extended a discount to all who might desire it.

i do not need a lesson in marketing. i do not know who you are and do not have any reason to value your comments.

your arguements are self-defeating (by your own admission), with any knowledge of what makes a great artist. does owning a gun make you annie oakley? my gear does not hold me back, nor does it define me (other than being a digital studio as opposed to analog). this simply means that my cost is low, and quality still high.

i repeat this as well, if you do not like my work, it is because you do not prefer it, not because i am young or have an imperfect room.

judge me by my product and my business practice, not your opinion of what a website should say.

you do not know me (or my experience) and your arguements regarding this are frivolous.
daved

 

[RyanR]

i do not know who you are and do not have any reason to value your comments.

Fine by me. btw, I listened to your samples and they sounded pretty good. I didn't listen on the BM15As or look at it in the DAW, but if the original is normalized to -1dB, then I'm impressed. I also think your web design is nice. But since I have to justify myself to you, I guess you don't take it as a compliment?

your arguements are self-defeating (by your own admission), with any knowledge of what makes a great artist. my gear does not hold me back, nor does it define me (other than being a digital studio as opposed to analog). this simply means that my cost is low, and quality still high.

I wasn't talking about what makes a great artist, I never said your gear holds you back, or defines you, and I think its great you offer high quality at an affordable price. Where is this coming from?

i repeat this as well, if you do not like my work, it is because you do not prefer it, not because i am young or have an imperfect room.

Why do you keep bringing up your work?

judge me by my product and my business practice, not your opinion of what a website should say.

I wasn't judging you. I did say I doubt you're "world class", and after hearing your samples, I maintain that position. But to me, "world class" is like being the MJ of basketball or a Bill Gates of wealthy people - it means you're at the TOP. So, are you actually gonna get insulted if I don't think you are one of the greatest? Gimme a break . . .

Hey look, I just made the comment I don't think you have a "world class" monitoring chain - yes, I think it's silly you call it that. Big whoopdy do. That's my opinion for reasons I already stated. This has absolutely nothing to do with how good you are at mastering (unless you actually think you are a "world class" engineer) but yet you keep trying to defend your work. There's no need.

you do not know me (or my experience) and your arguements regarding this are frivolous.

Yeah, the first part of my original comment was frivolous - it was meant to be. I didn't realize it would be taken so seriously - I'm sorry for writing it. It was spur of the moment and I didn't intend to thread crap. I'm not out to make cyber enemies, so I'll just show myself the door . . .

 

[Cat5]

Daved,

The Wav sample you sent me fared much better than the mp3s on the site. I guess once you tune into mp3 artifacts you can't ignore them. 320k mp3s sound pretty good though.\
Still a little too hot for my tastes, but I understand your need to go that route to make money. At your prices I think a lot of recordings should definitely take a trip through your place instead of going unmastered. I wish the damn VOLUME TREND would chill out. TO ME IT SOUNDS JUST LIKE WHAT THIS SENTENCE LOOKS LIKE.

I want to try to dig up some tunes that went unmastered and upload them to you to mees with. If you like you can use them on your samples page.

I would prefer less \"juice\" on the limiter, but you said you'd have no problem with that. Digital mastering doesn't compete with high end analog outboard mastering (and ears in business for 30 years) but then again you can do 3 albums at your place for what some of those big places charge per song (Ludwig gets $600 per hour!).

you are 23? I am impressed.

Shane

 

[jcat]

Lastly, I just want to say I wasn't trying to flame you at all. My first comment was supposed to be sarcastic, but I guess it didn't get there. Whoops. Why you guys gotta be so defensive? Geez . . .

He he he. Have you never been on a forum before?! :wink:



Cheers,

jcat

 

[Big Harpe]

RyanR,

In this forum we either respect each other or kick the crap out of the disrespectful ones. I don't think you were maliciously flaming East Gate, but I can see how it could be seen that way. I think you mean well so I won't flame you.

East Gate is looking to improve both his art and his business. This is an art, and therefore is subjective. 'World Class' vs. 'Top Notch' mean the same thing to me. Let him get some business for goodness sake. He is only trying to make a living.

I am a 'World Class' writer, recording engineer, singer, mastering pro and musician - in my Mother's eyes. I fit the definition or 'World Class' too, if you ask the right people in my world.

TTYS,