LET US MAKE YOR MIX WORK

Mastering is a delicate process that is widely misunderstood, and often never given the full attention it needs. Without the correct mastering, your song or project may not sound as good as it could in areas such as clarity, volume, bass, and impact. This is especially the case with the now common playlist scenario. A project studio recording that is mixed and mastered correctly, can have huge character and be a success. Many subpar recordings and mixes have been mastered correctly and gone on to become hits, and even cult classics.

Correct mastering to suit the end user and listening format has never been more important. With new ways music is delivered from iTunes, YouTube, Spotify, SoundCloud, radio and TV, (and yes even CDs), they all have format-specific needs. Vinyl sales are increasing, so mastering is a stage that needs attention, just like mixing. Taking this important stage of production to a professional will benefit your project immensely.

In a traditional release such as an EP or album, the mastering process focuses on achieving optimum sound quality for the entire project; from the individual tracks to the full-length release, ensuring the same high level continues throughout. It can even extend to the gaps between songs, and the way in which songs overlap, culminating in giving your project a professional-sounding release.

With that in mind, we offer to master for all of the above platforms, as well as packages to suit releasing in multiple formats. We also offer CD text software. This means your song titles and CD name will appear on supported CD players. This includes most car CD players and all computers; we can even submit this data to iTunes after your master has been pressed.

FORMAT OPTIONS

Option 1: Online Loudness Format

Online releases are the most popular format now CD has become almost obsolete. These formats include iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, and podcasts with new formats added constantly.

The online format we supply is suitable for services mentioned above, we always monitor the specifications supplied by providers so you can be assured your mixes will sound the best they can on any platform.

Option 2: Radio Ready

In this master option, we provide a master that is ready to broadcast and is ‘loud’ and ready to use ‘On Air’. This means that when a broadcast system plays your master, it won’t need to compress, adjust or manipulate your track with its generic (and usually nasty) software. Your master will broadcast as close as possible to the master because it has been brought up to specification using analog compression and limiting. It makes a difference.

Option 3: CD / Full Resolution Waves

When you have your project mastered at The Armoury for CD release, this includes the compiling and preparation of the album down to the gaps and fades, as well as all album data, not just the ‘mastering’  or 'loudening' of the songs being sent back to you louder.

This includes:

• A test CD for you to check the mastering, fades, gaps, and continuity, or an uploaded set of hi-res .waves

• Unlimited tweaks - although we never need more than 3, most times it’s nailed the first time

• A set of full resolution, .wavs and 320kps .mp3’s (converted with the best codec available). Note, this is not a master for online services

• CD Text: name of tracks and songs embedded on the CD

• All CD text is uploaded to iTunes so when your fans put the CD in iTunes, it shows the Artist and Track names (from a press copy)

• Red Book Master is ready for duplication. This includes a DDP upload to the manufacturer of your choice, meaning you don’t have to post a CD.