Why Master?

So you’ve been to a studio and recorded some tracks. The engineer has mixed them down to stereo, maybe to high quality analogue masters.  He turns to you and says, “Now I’m going to master your tracks”.  He then turns back to his computer and starts “mastering” in the same program he just tracked and mixed in.  A new set of plug-ins doesn’t mean he’s mastering.

You need a mastering studio.

The role of a mastering engineer for CD releases requires a combination of artistic and technical skills.  Mastering is the final set in the creative process.  Here at The Sync Room, we believe Sound Is Art.

The artistic aspects include:

• Putting all the tracks in the correct order and ensuring spacing between them create a flow (also sometimes known as sequencing)
• EQing the tracks so that they have an attractive balance, and also to ensure that tracks which may have been mixed in different studios or by different engineers all have a consistent sound.
• Dynamic range control, to ensure a good perceived listening level throughout the album, while avoiding too low or too high levels.
• Choosing fade in and out lengths and shapes to complement the music.
• Speed and pitch adjustment, and beat-matching of tracks on compilation albums.
• Radio-friendly edits of longer tracks.
• Removing media distortions from older tracks, or simply badly recorded ones, such as hiss, crackles, clicks or other unwanted noises – all commonly known as restoration.
• Dithering of material to 16 bit.
• Bringing out warmth, clarity and shine to your unique sound.

The Sync Room

308 West Grant Street

Lancaster, PA 17603

(717) 332-7851

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