Few engineers would disagree about the benefits of sending their DAW mixdowns back into the analog domain for final CD mastering. Analog EQ and compression effects the music in a more natural and pleasant manner than any digital signal processing (DSP) can. At Cave Audio Productions we utilize an Avalon AD2055 Mastering Equalizer and two Avalon Vt737Sps in conjunction with two Apogee PSX-100s to create a pristine analog mastering chain. One Apogee converts the digital L and R to analog L and R. Each are then processed by the Avalons. The compressors are stereo linked and the EQ is switched before the compression keeping us in alignment with traditional mastering protocol. The analog L and R is then brought back into the Apogee which converts it to 16bit digital using the world renowned Apogee UV22 bit depth reduction*. This final mastering signal is recorded onto the VS-2480 and monitored with the remaining Apogee D/A. Analog mastering is more time consuming than digital mastering and therefore requires an additional fee.

Prices range from $300 to $500 for a full CD which includes two gold Red Book masters and 4 additional Red Book masters. Singles can be mastered for $60 a song. Out-of-town clients can be mailed a free mastered sample of their music before committing. (Clients outside the U.S. may have to pay return shipping)

IMPORTANT MASTERING TIP!! Most of the equalization that occurs during mastering is additional (as oppossed to the subtractive variety which typically dominates tracking sessions), therefore it is necessary to have ample headroom on the premaster to allow for the increase in overall gain which naturally follows the application of certain desirable frequencies.
Typical pop/rock premaster levels should contain most activity between -4db and -12db with some major peaks up to -2db. If you find that you must turn the volume up slightly on your CD to match the loudness of commercial albums, but it still lacks the punch and sparkle, then you're probably right on target.

 

*It is estimated that about 80% of the CDs released in the US are mastered with this technology.