Interested in mastering?

[Soundlurker]

I'd say the most important thing is a pair of ears, combined with an idea of what you are doing, what you have to do and how you are going to do it. This naturally involves having sufficient experience to pull it off.

As far as I'm concerned, I've already worked on a dozen mixes for educational purposes or as part of "mastering contests" and I've had the chance to encounter the most common pitfalls such as "remixing" the mix instead of mastering it; focusing on details, while ignoring the whole; drastically changing the sound to fit my preferences and so on. I am aware I've done that and I was careful not to do it again. Judging by the band's decision it seems this has payed off. Knowing that is the real reward.

 

[Loren Littlejohn]

I always try to get the band to outsource the mastering.

I found a place that does it for $55 an hour. It comes out roughly to $35 a song. Although they paid me a nice compliment and stated the fast mastering was due to good mixing.

Apparently if the mix is a mess it takes longer and increases the cost.

I suck at mastering.