We always recommend that you get your recording professionally mastered in order to get the most balanced, professional-sounding product. A mastering engineer unifies a CD by adjusting EQ, compression, and other dynamics processing to give it a consistent sound from track to track. The sound of your CD is also “sweetened” during the mastering phase, giving your music warmth, punch, and fullness. The engineer can also raise the overall level (volume) and highlight details that aren’t already apparent. It’s what makes the difference between the sound of a home-made recording and a major-label release.
Here are some of the mastering engineers and mastering houses that we like.
Lurssen Mastering Hollywood, CA ☎ 323-924-7193
Engineers: Gavin Lurssen, Reuben Cohen
Bernie Grundman Mastering Hollywood, CA ☎ 323-465-6264
Engineers: Bernie Grundman, Brian Gardner, Pat Sullivan
Gateway Mastering Portland, ME ☎ 207-828-9400
Engineers: Bob Ludwig, Tom Ryan
Sterling Sound New York, NY ☎ 212-604-9433
Engineers: Greg Calbi, Chris Athens, Jay Franco
SAE Mastering Phoenix, AZ ☎ 602-242-0022
Engineer: Roger Seibel
Independent Mastering Nashville, TN ☎ 615-463-8933
Engineer: Eric Conn
Mike Wells Mastering Los Angeles, CA ☎ 323-363-2339
Engineer: Mike Wells
Suite Sound Labs Vancouver, BC ☎ 604-255-7200
Engineers: Jamie Sitar, Alex DeGrace
John Golden Mastering Ventura, CA ☎ 805-648-4646
Engineers: John Golden, JJ Golden
DNA Mastering Woodland Hills, CA ☎ 818-992-4034
Engineer: Dave Donnelly
Yes Master Studios Nashville, TN ☎ 615-383-1964
Engineers: Jim Demain, Alex McCollough
John Cuniberti Mastering Oakland, CA ☎ 510-501-9334
Engineer: John Cuniberti
Red Mastering Newbury Park, CA ☎ 805-660-9899
Engineer: Brad Vance
Precision Mastering Los Angeles, CA ☎ 323-464-1008
Engineer: Don C. Tyler
Resolution Mastering Sherman Oaks, CA ☎ 818-481-7064
Engineer: Ron Bousted
Sound Bites Dog Culver City, CA ☎ 310-621-1896
Engineer: Hans Dekline
Capitol Mastering Hollywood, CA ☎ 323-871-5003
Engineer: Ron McMaster
Wolf Productions Inc. Arlington, VA ☎ 703-351-7540
Engineer: Bill Wolf
Glenn Schick Mastering Atlanta, GA ☎ 770-451-1314
Engineers: Glenn Schick, Carlton Batts, Donn Aaron
Joe Lambert Mastering Brooklyn, NY ☎ 718-797-0177
Engineer: Joe Lambert
Euphonic Masters Memphis, TN ☎ 901-266-6075
Engineer: Brad Blackwood
Blackler Mastering Brooklyn, NY ☎ 646-752-6545
Engineer: Kevin Blackler