Steve - question about your mastering experiences...

Jeff, it totally depends on the project, as any mastering engineer would tell you.

If an album (jazz usually) was recorded in one place, by one engineer and mixed all in the same place, I usually find the bulls eye, tonality wise and level wise and let it rip.

On the other hand, with a project like the Beach Boys "Endless Summer" or "Spirit Of America", each song was different and had to be tweaked by itself. In some songs on there there were many EQ moves for each song. I have pages of notes on this type of thing. It would make the world's most boring book!

I ALWAYS stop short of going overboard in mastering so I don't make each song on a compilation sound tone wise like the other songs on the disc. I always respect the sonic signature of the original mixes, and only do a little tweaking to enhance the good stuff. A rule of thumb for me for EQ is:

1. Listen and get to know the song flat.

2. Twiddle the knobs until it sounds perfect to me.

3. Back everything off BY HALF.

4. Lay it down.


See?

 

Jamie,

If it's REALLY complicated I'll edit for digital or do a 30 IPS 1/2 analog dub for LP. But usually I do the moves "live". More fun that way, seat of your pants and all that...

 

For digital, the digital master, usually X-O-Bite or whatever the factory that we are using needs.

For analog, 30 IPS non-dolby 1/2 inch BASF on an Ampex ATR-100.

Of course, when cutting an LP, the moves FOR THE ENTIRE SIDE have to be done live, just like the old days. It gets the juices flowing!

 

Always exceptions to the rule, Bob. I try not to give away too many of my little secrets.

Bob Seger "Night Moves" ADD EQ

Bob Seger "Fire Down Below" SUBTRACT EQ

And so on...

 

Ah, the Mamas & Papas. Some of those songs I worked on had EQ like:

-12db@3400, +6@40 cycles, +6@125 cycles, +4@250 cycles and so on for just one song (like "I Saw Her Again" I think). Boy some of that stuff sounded bad flat. Worst I've ever heard.

Slow Down in stereo. Such a bad mix, like "Hand" and "Can't Buy Me Love" in stereo; the crucial rhythm track not loud enough.

Would I pump up the bottom? Well, it's been awhile since I played the stereo version, but I would try various bass enhancement techniques to see if the bottom end is better, totally screwed up, thuddy or whatever. I'd have to hear it again. I'm used to the splattered version these days..

 

Sure Bob:


Bob Seger "Night Moves" ADD EQ

Bob Seger "Fire Down Below" SUBTRACT EQ

If you have the DCC Gold CD of Night Moves handy, put those two songs on. Now, if you have the old Capitol silver CD version, try those two songs. OOPS! See what I mean? Noght Moves: Too soft sounding. Fire Down Below: Too hard sounding.

On the DCC version of "Night Moves", I (going from memory) ADDED a db at 3k, 6k and 8k for the body of the song, slipping it in on a drumbeat, but left the intro's and middle quiet section flat as to not add hiss to the thing.

On the DCC version of "Fire Down Below" I SUBTRACTED (going from memory) 3 db around 3400 which brought everything else into focus without having to add bass or top end.

Those songs were mixed at different times at different studios.


How's that?

 

Hi Rob,

Always glad to see you here!

How are things at the Hit Factory Mastering in cold New York?