Many recordings are released these days in several formats – CD, downloads in multiple resolutions and file formats, LP’s, and streaming. While the CD master at 16-bit/44.1 kHz resolution remains the most useful master format, one master does not fit all! With the growth of DIY digital sales platforms and Apple’s Mastered for iTunes (MFiT) […]
Why Book a Listening Session Before Mastering Your New Project
A listening session with your mastering engineer before mastering is a critical step in finishing your project. You can address potential sonic concerns and make sure you and your engineer are on the same creative wavelength. You are welcome to attend your listening session. You and your engineer will listen to your mixes on a […]
Analog Tape Series, Part 3: Studio Settings and Collaboration
Setting Up Your Studio to Work Efficiently for Tape Recording Now that you have your tape deck and have completed the basic maintenance on it you can take a look at the gain-staging of your whole recording setup. Most professional studio equipment is designed to operate at a nominal +4dBu; when a VU meter on your tape deck or […]
Analog Tape Series, Part 2: How to Keep Your Tape Deck in Top Condition
Care and Maintenance OK, now you own a cool new (old) analog tape deck. The first thing to know is that tape recorders should be aligned before every session! The tape path should be cleaned every time you change a reel of tape, or more frequently. I often clean the heads before playback of each […]
Analog Tape Series, Part 1: What to Know Before You Buy
Over the last couple years, I’ve had a remarkable number of projects come through my mastering studio originating on tape. Some of these projects involve restoration on past work of notable artists including the Grateful Dead and Doc Watson, but many are new recordings by artists intrigued by the unique quality of analog sound and […]
New Releases from Colorado Songwriters
The thriving music community in Colorado has released a number of great albums already this year! We at Airshow have been excited to help these projects from such talented artists come to life and wanted to share a few sound bites of a new releases we’ve mixed or mastered out of the Boulder studio. Lisa Bell The […]
Multi-tasking Masters: Vinyl + Mastered for iTunes + HDTracks
Airshow clients’ interest in Apple’s “Mastered for iTunes” quality initiative is growing daily. Did you know that the same 24 bit master we create for your iTunes submission can be used to create additional high-res formats for sale to your fans? A 24 bit master file delivers high-quality audio to listeners and can be distributed in multiple ways including: […]
Record Store Day is April 20th!
Record Store Day rolls around on April 20th, and once again Vanguard Records has some interesting offerings from their eclectic catalog, chosen in a listener poll. Titles include Festival: The Newport Folk Festival 1965; Blues at Newport 1963; Country Joe and The Fish, I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Die; Buddy Guy, Hold That Plane, and Big Mama Thornton, Jail, all remastered from the original master tapes […]