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Mark Dann Recording -
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Music Production -
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New York City -
& Woodstock, NY -
(212) 941-7771 -
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if the mail link above does not work: -
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Mark Dann Recording -
Mastering and Recording Studio -
(212) 941-7771 - NYC USA - email: Mark107 at aol.com
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Mix Submission Guidelines - There are many ways to submit mixes for mastering. Some are better than others. For example, many submit mixes on a regular audio CD, the same type you play in a CD player. However, it would be much better to use a higher resolution format when available. 24-bit data files are always preferable to a regular (16-bit) audio CD. Mix engineers usually give the artist an audio CD (16-bit) so that they can play it at home. More often than not, the artist is unaware that a higher resolution copy (24-bit) is possible. Because there are so many variations in recording and mixing systems now, this likely necessitates having a short conversation between myself and the mix engineer concerning what options are available.
- Another issue is compression and limiting levels (see screrenshot below). Many engineers these days are running their mixes WAY TOO HOT! For a "one-off" reference of your mix to listen to at home, this is fine, but this is very problematic in mastering. Mastering these kinds of mixes will sound extremely compressed, and result in higher than acceptable levels of distortion. I recommend not running your mix levels any hotter than -3dB (lower is even better). Your mastered CD will sound considerably better for it. Also, I most likely have much better compressors than the mix engineer does, and seeing as compression cannot be undone, I believe it best to not use compressors at all on the stereo fader. Compressors on individual channels are fine of course. If you DO use a compressor on the master fader, I would suggest going easy on it, and/or providing me with an additional copy without any compression. Digital peak limiters should NOT be used under any circumstances. They will damage the mix in ways that may not be readily apparent during the mix. Again, because of all the variations in mixing techniques, this is a topic for a short conversation before submitting mixes for mastering.
- TOP WAVEFORM: Good level. Not squashed, not clipped, not distorted.
- BOTTOM WAVEFORM: Disaster! This is the same waveform, but with the mix level cranked another 8dB or so. I see A LOT of mixes come in this way. It is very difficult to master audio as damaged as this. It tends to come out sounding overly compressed, lifeless, and distorted. This is to be avoided at all costs!
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Other tips:
- Please provide a list of the proposed song order. Yes, this can still be changed later if need be, but it is vital to at least have a starting point, and hopefully a set order for mastering.
- On this list, also mention whether or not the mixes will need additional fades or not. Sometimes I receive mixes that may have stray sounds, talking, etc., at the beginnings or ends of songs, and I can not always be sure if these have been intentionally left in or not.