Accurate mastering means to detect problems and qualities in the audio material, to hide and to improve. How can a newbye with an honest DAW, but under inadequate headroom, find its own path? Some choose the 'anything goes' philosophy, claiming that the final result should work fine under every situation, into the cheapest 20 watt chinese diffusers as into your girlfriends car audio CD player.
So there should be differences between a master that aims to be social in some way, with a generic cheap device as reference, and a more artistic master, far from the minimum standard but that can be really appreciated by those few who know the deal.
I personally find the first option a plain one, while the second one appears more involving IMHO
It's that way in any art form. You got your folk painters and then there's John Singer Sargent. It all has it's place. Sometimes it's a matter of form and content. You wouldn't wrap a fresh haddock in gold foil. Some music calls for finer production values than other music.
I'm a bluegrass fan and remember the first time I heard a remastered CD of Flatt and Scruggs. You could hear more detail, which delighted me...but it also lost a certain magic, like seeing a photo of a Playboy centerfold with no airbrushing.
You guys who are at the top of game at mastering tracks...keep on making music sound good. You guys who are making good music in spite of your mastering skills, keep on making music. When You can afford it, let a pro master it. Improve your recording and mixing skills, but don't let your limitations stop you from making music.
Originally posted by wretchasketch: It's that way in any art form. You got your folk painters and then there's John Singer Sargent. It all has it's place. Sometimes it's a matter of form and content. You wouldn't wrap a fresh haddock in gold foil. Some music calls for finer production values than other music.
I'm a bluegrass fan and remember the first time I heard a remastered CD of Flatt and Scruggs. You could hear more detail, which delighted me...but it also lost a certain magic, like seeing a photo of a Playboy centerfold with no airbrushing.
You guys who are at the top of game at mastering tracks...keep on making music sound good. You guys who are making good music in spite of your mastering skills, keep on making music. When You can afford it, let a pro master it. Improve your recording and mixing skills, but don't let your limitations stop you from making music.
I have no idea what I am talking about.
Mr. Tracy
Now that,,is very well said!You should run for president.
