Digital Mastering Services
The Mastering Process
We first listen to your material using a calibrated monitoring system in a acoustically treated room. We then formulate a plan for the finished project, taking into account any issues noted during the initial evaluation. Each song has a unique personality and may require different methods of processing in order to achieve the optimal final sound. The list that follows describes some of the mastering services that we provide:
Consultation
It is important for us to understand your vision for the project before manipulating a single bit. We want to ensure that the mastering process will provide the results you desire. You are welcome to submit a reference mix from another artist demonstrating the type of sound you hope to achieve after mastering. If a submitted mix exhibits any problems which would limit the quality of the final master (such as excessive distortion, noise, or effects processing), we will advise you on any mix adjustments which will yield a better result.
Tonal Balance
A spectrally balanced track translates favorably to a wide range of playback systems and does not cause listener fatigue. We apply equalization to achieve an appropriate tonal balance for your track and provide the most pleasureable listening experience.
Overall Loudness
Whether you desire competitive loudness or more dynamics, we use a combination of limiting, compression, and other techniques to bring the volume of your tracks to an appropriate commercial level.
Dynamic Processing
Compression is an important tool for enhancing the power, presence, and punch of your mixes. Over-compressed or lifeless mixes will can regain vitality though transient enhancement.
Spatial Processing
Subtle enhancement of the stereo image of your song can help bring it to life on full range speakers. Mixes with an unbalanced stereo image or phase issues can be corrected.
Noise Reduction
Obtrusive clicks, hiss, crackle, hum or other noises can be removed from your mix without noticeable digital artifacts.
Dither
Dither is applied at the end of the processing chain. This final step eliminates distortion caused by digital quantization errors when reducing the audio bitrate (usually to 16-bit resolution CD audio format). Low-level musical details (such as fade-outs, reverb tails) have greater clarity after dithering.
Fade-Ins, Fade-Outs, Transitions
We can apply smooth fade-ins or fade-outs or track crossfades according to your specifications.
Other Services
The Final Sound provides a host of other audio services (e.g. restoration of old recordings, creating high-quality MP3's of your songs for internet distribution, etc.). Please feel free to contact us regarding any audio-related request.