What if your mix is perfect without Separations?

Some projects are mixed so well that we simply leave the Separations set to unity gain and only apply standard outboard processing.  Sometimes Separations aren't preferred because the engineer has dialed in a sound that works better in stereo.  Different flavors of sound are not right or wrong -- any more than chocolate and vanilla are right or wrong.

"A-List" engineers often utilize a large format console, exotic gear, or perhaps analog summing boxes and great D-A converters - all of which contributes to mixes that are amazing from the first note. Sometime a more dry, "glued-together" sound is preferred over a wider, more distinct stereophonic sound. Remember, the 2-track mix is included in the Separations format so you always have that option available at the push of a button.

But consider this: Most A-List engineers are already mixing with subgroups even when the 2-track mixdown is the only intended source for mastering. Given the cost and difficulty involved in perfectly recreating a mix after everything's been dismantled and reset, archiving stems and Separations make perfect sense as a back up plan when BIG bucks are being spent.

KEY: If you are listening to the entire album during the mastering session, you'll be able to hear which songs if any need to have level adjustments possibly made. Before, you were stuck with what you had (er... unless you went back to remix)!

If the client requests, we can still sum the Separations in the digital domain and use a particular digital stereo buss plug in. Separations also allows us to use our Discrete Class-A Commander analog summing mixer.  (Tip: want to have that exotic hardware stereo Fairchild on the stereo buss? Instead of buying one, rent it for the mastering session!) Plus we use D-A converters, audio interconnects and power cables that are all high-end audiophile for the best possible sound.

We encourage your questions!

Please contact us for more answers to your questions.

We don't know exactly what mastering will do and won't do for the sound.

Every commercial album you buy has been mastered by an expert mastering engineer. What mastering does to the sound depends on the source. Mastering brings albums into a place of competitive sound, whether that's giving it more presence and highs - or mids for clarity - or lows for fullness - or volume for loudness. Check our site for what to expect.

Our mixes are a lot quieter than regular CD's and there seems to be no low end. We were told by the engineer not to worry because mastering takes care of that.

"No" low end should be addressed in mixing, but certainly the volume is appropriately handled in mastering. Separations solves all of that with no needed remixing.

I also read that we shouldn't have the mixing engineer compress the song because it makes it practically impossible for the mastering engineer to work with.

Not impossible, there are just fewer advantages to an overly slammed mix. Sometimes however it's appropriate when done by a professional. Separations solves all of that! Every question you have is nailed using Separations as a format to submit to mastering. Simply let us know what commercial projects you like the sound of and send or bring in reference CDs so we know exactly what your taste is.

Could you let me know whether you would consider this to be a good mix to be mastered, or if you think there should be changes made?? (more low end? More/Less guitar?? Etc…)

More guitar and low end is a preference, and while we may have a good idea about the balance, really if you send reference CDs of what you like, we can emulate that - and bypass the "trial and correct" stage by using Separations.

I loved the master you did for our band 2 years ago - it still sounds great! It was almost as if you reached in and remixed it, it was so good. Are Separations more of a good thing, or could it be too much? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If you liked what we did before, this will blow you away - particularly the improved spatiality and space around the vocals. It's never intended to go overboard - and it's simply a SYSTEM where you're providing the ideal ways for us to achieve excellent results.... not just good ways. Separations don't replace your 2-track mix - they supplement it.

We know someone else who did their own mastering using plug ins. Their songs were hot alright, but the drums that previously punched out seemed softer or flattened down. Will separations help this problem?

Absolutely. There are only so many one's and zeros relating to volume level, and when your master is slammin' hot, transients (peaks) have to be taken down in order to bring up the overall mix, otherwise the whole record is clipped to pieces. With loud mastering techniques and mindful listening, Separations can be used to restore punchier drums in the sound.

Why is the sound more 3-d or spread out like you're saying? Isn't it all digital?

By transferring more of the summing tasks directly into a high-end precision mastering system, you're almost getting a Direct-To-Disc recording. Whether we sum in the digital domain or the analog domain, the layering of sound sources (vs. a single-layer source) right to the mastering system is ideal. Plus if we do enhancements to the Separations, it maximizes the precision and minimizes the compromises.

What if I want some help with my mixes? I like my mixes, but I'm not sure how to bring them up to the next level.

We're happy to help. We have an ideal environment to dial in and achieve your goals. Plus, mastering settings are all recallable. Once you get your master CDR, if you have ideas for further creative enhancements, we'll recall the session and take care of your requests.