Hi John

I had been with a friend recently who was mixing and producing a band. He worked very hard on his mixes (as we all should) however, when sent to the mastering facility, they came back sounding pretty errr "dull". The band (and record company) were not happy.....so they paid my friend extra to do the mastering himself. Risky, but seemed to work out ok.

Anyway, my question is, how much info do you guys need (if any) when people send stuff to master? Is it better that you listen completely objectively to a tune, or have notes written by (like in the above case) someone who has been working at the heart and soul of a project for weeks?

Do record companies step in and over-ride the band/producer/mixer?

thanks
Tube

That's a pickle, there - A lot of bands send in there stuff and just say "do your stuff" while others have a very specific direction in mind.

I have a "Checklist" inquiry - There's a checklist PDF on my site that I ask every client to download. A lot of it is just simple contact info, fade lengths, general notes, etc. There's also a page that asks what the client thinks of the project as it is - Just so I have an idea of what they're looking for. I certainly don't want to brighten things up too much if they think the mixes are too bright for their taste.

Checklist PDF if you'd like to see it.

And of course, there's the standard "how important is the overall volume" section.
You'd be surprised how many bands check the "do anything it takes" box...

I'm working mostly with independent artists and small labels, so the band normally has the final say. But yeah, sometimes the powers that be get into the dance. Sometimes it's a good thing, other times it's chaos. I just gently try to throw my two cents in if it's looking dismal. If it's something I feel very strongly about, I'll go the extra yard on it and hopefully there's a middle ground. But in the end, it's their project. So, I have coffee.

Thanks for that! I'll download your list.
Tube

John:

Thanks for all the helpful info here and on your site. What CDR media do you use/recommend with the Plextor Premium?

Thanks,

drbam

I use custom thermally imprinted Taiyo Yuden media. The error rates can be amazingly low (I had one with 0.8 C1 errors per second just last week - "Acceptable is 200 per second).

The ones used for the error test on my site were DigiMaster Sliver/Silver which are very good also (but they're not TY's).

downloaded the mastering list and printed it out....very cool...and thanks!! RD

quote:

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Originally posted by John Scrip:
I use http://www.massivemastering.com/html/massive_disc.html Taiyo Yuden media. The error rates can be amazingly low (I had one with 0.8 C1 errors per second just last week - "Acceptable is 200 per second).

The ones used for the error test on my site were DigiMaster Sliver/Silver which are very good also (but they're not TY's).

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What are you using to test the error rates?

PlexTools Professional - It's a fantastic program that comes with Plextor PlexWriter Premium Series drives.

Just checked one a moment ago with a mind-blowing 0.6 C1 errors per second. That's 1/333rd of the acceptable average rate.

IMO, the best drive and the best error-checking software. All for around $100.

>>Just checked one a moment ago with a mind-blowing 0.6 C1 errors per second. That's 1/333rd of the acceptable average rate.<<

To confirm the performance specs that John's reported, last night I burned a master using the Plextor Premium (8x speed) with Taiyo Yunden media. The disc had 0.5 C1 errors – Pretty amazing! BTW, I also did several tests with consumer grade Sony, TDK and Maxell media and the highest C1 error I had was 2.6. with the exception of one that had a single spiked CU error. Upon further inspection, I could visually see that the disc was defective (scratched). This is obviously a great burner but in my view, the PlexTools software alone is worth the price! I will NEVER again have to wonder about the condition of my discs when sending them for manufacturing or giving them to clients.

drbam

Testify, brutha'

Amen, my brutha' from anotha' mutha'

jason walsh
www.farviewrecording.com

Jason! Been a while! I still have to get out there and check out the new facility, dude.

John -

Not sure if you're familiar with the Masterlink's but, if so, how would you say they stack up to something like the Plex writer and software combo with regard to error rates?

Actually, I just replaced my Masterlink with a brand-spankin' new one. I *think* it has a new Sony drive in it...

The error rates are well within the acceptable range, but not quite as mind-blowing as the Plextor. And of course, without the PlexTools Pro, i wouldn't be able to find out about the occasional C2 error anyway.

SO - The burn is fine, but I would still HIGHLY suggest the Plextor Plexwriter Premium if for no other reason than PlexTools Professional, so the ML disc can be error-checked properly.

Most interesting. I may have to look into that. I had my ML mod'd by Jim Williams and it sounds incredible. I'd always been satisfied with the results of the ML's CD burns but never really thought to check the error rates. I guess the next obvious question would be - if I find unacceptable errors in the ML's burned CD's, what could I realistically do about it since it's my "top shelf" burner at the moment. That's more of rhetorical question I guess.

Change the CD-R drive in it. I'm not sure how to do it myself (never ripped it apart) but I hear it can be done.

I would imagine that it's fine - Most drives are. However, ALL drives kick out an occasional nasty disc. That's why I find it incredibly important to error-check EVERY production master CD that goes out.

Some, as rare as it can be, WILL FAIL.