XARC Mastering

[Lagerfeldt]

http://www.XARCMastering.com anybody tried this?

[ifadeo]

http://www.XARCMastering.com anybody tried this?

no, but did you need this service ???
i think your tracks are mastered near to perfection...



btw. i think my tracks still sounds cheap, with a low-level mastering...
maybe i should use their service.... ...but it's to expensive for me...



cheers ifadeo

[DHS]

I heard their works.

They're very good (for example, they usually master all the tracks by the guys at Vengeance Music) but i think that with some application and enough skilled guy can get equals (if not better) results.

Of course, some money has to be spent in the right plugs (and, imho, the waves one aren't the best choice).

[Lagerfeldt]

I use Waves Masters, that is the Linear Phase EQ, Linear Multiband Compressor and the L2 Ultramaximizer (and the odd de-esser or other stuff in the chain).

I'm shopping for an outboard tube compressor, preferably the 3 band tube compressor from Tube Tech. It's a hefty US$ 5.000 but I'm getting one if I like it once I've tested it.

The reason is I'm lacking some warmth and no software can really compete with a real tube comp (though the Waves Renaissance gets quite close IMO). I have an outboard tube comp from TLA but it's just a mono one so it won't cut it for mastering anyways.

No matter what it's always nice getting somebody from the outside to master your tracks.

[Markus Schneider]

Well, I still do think you have done something wrong in the mix when you need mastering for one track
Anyway listen to the demo at the main page ... sounds very SIDish, doesn't it ?

[DHS]

I made a lot of masters with Waves (mostly chaining C4 and L2), placing them *after* voxengo curveeq [that i usually use to cut crap lower than 60hz].

The problem is that it sonds muddy.

On the other side, you can also try a TC System6000 with additional licenses: more expensive than 5000$, but much more versatile.

[Lagerfeldt]

Markus, didn't quite understand what you mean..

DHS, C4 has phase probs so I use the MB which is linear in phase and much much better. However I still need some outboard analog stuff, so even though the TC is supposed to be great (I know Bob Katz uses it) I need something tube'ish.

[Thomas Detert]

Well, I still do think you have done something wrong in the mix when you need mastering for one track

I think what Markus means is that if the <b>MIX</b> is not already punshy and good , than even the greatest Mastering-Equipment or Mastering-Pro can't make it a great production ! And i do think the same ...

cheers,
TOM:::...

[Lagerfeldt]

Oh yeah I agree on that in principle and almost agree in real life too (a good mastering can actually help a bad mix somewhat).

But no substitute for a good mix to begin with, but that's not the issue here.

I'm mastering to get even better results from the mix not to save something.

[Thomas Detert]

I'm mastering to get even better results from the mix.

Me,too !
I recently bought the <b>API 2500</b> and the L2 Hardware and this works great for me...
I do pre-mastering on my own , i always did and i feel fine with my sound

bye
TOM::..

EDIT:
http://www.apiaudio.com/2500.htm

if you want some info's !

[Lagerfeldt]

The L2 rocks, basically no difference between the hard and software version except for the excellent converters in the h/w version.

I'm looking for a 3 band tube compressor right now, you know the Tube Tech SMC2B?

http://www.proaudioeurope.com/images/pr ... /SMC2B.jpg

[Thomas Detert]

Tube Tech SMC2B

Looks really solid , but i haven't heard of it !! Let me know when you use it in your studio

cheers,
TOM:::...

[Lagerfeldt]

Heheh, I think I have to test a lot of gear before I decide., after all most of these babies are in the $5.000 range

Currently my top list is

1) Manley Vari Mu
2) Gyratec X
3) Avalon Vt747sp
4) Tube Tech SMC2B