Audio CD Mastering
What is it... and why do I need it.

Audio CD Mastering…not to be confused with mixing means different things to different people, but most people agree, that mastering is the last essential step of the recording process. Mastering should always be included in the manufacturing process and considered a necessary step before production and/or CD replication.

Let’s face it; the music world is very competitive.  Mastering will take what you have recorded to the next level using state of the art equipment, fine tuning it and giving it that extra edge. It takes what sounds good now and make it sound great!

Whether you’re putting together a press kit or cutting a demo…you need to consider mastering before submitting to anyone…especially record labels. Now days…mastering is becoming common place, even with a demo’s, as artist and bands aspire to gain the advantage and get noticed. Mini CD replication is a great process to use when making copies for demos.

A qualified and experienced mastering engineer can make an exceptional difference in the way your recording ends up sounding or in the preparation of your music for production and retail distribution.  All your recorded material will be stored on a master.  From this master, all the CD copies will be prepared by either a CD duplication or CD replication process.  From this process your CD’s are then distributed.

Pricing for mastering can really vary anywhere from $75 to $150 or more per hour for a qualified and experienced mastering engineer, but the end result makes it well worth it.  If you have ever had the opportunity to listen to a recording which has been mastered and compared to one that has not, then you’ll know what I mean when I say the mastered recording has a polished professional sound.

Music Cleveland has a short list of local Audio CD Mastering Studios listed below that specialize in Audio CD Mastering.  They are all located right here in the Cleveland area. Any of them should be more than willing to assist you in answering any questions you may have.  Many Recording Studio Locations also specialize in Audio CD Mastering.  So be sure to ask them about mastering if you’re shopping around for pricing on studio time. Complete production packages, tailored to your needs, may be available from these studios with mastering figured into the package price. 

Look at mastering as a necessity, not as an option, if you want your recording to sound its best and stand out from the rest.

Ohio Mastering Studios                                         

Acoustik Musik Ltd                                                                         
511 W. College Street                                      
Oberlin, OH  44074                               
Phone: (440) 775-3681

Verity Digital Mastering
and Recording
2192 Glenbury Ave
Lakewood, OH
(216) 521-8968                                                                                             

Commercial Recording Studios Inc.
6001 West Creek Rd, 
Cleveland, OH 44131
Phone (216) 642-1000
Fax (216) 642-0615

Pacifica Studios
3298 West 130th. St.
Cleveland, OH 44111
Phone: (216) 671-2608

Refraze Studios
2727 Gaylord Ave.
Dayton, OH 45419                                            
Phone: (937) 298-2727
Fax: (937) 298-7175

If you enjoyed  this article, please help spread the word about Music Cleveland. Make sure to Sign-Up for The Music Cleveland Newsletter and Music Cleveland Blog so you continue recieve helpful information and valuable content. Copyright © Marc King - All Rights Reserved   Above all...Continue to Support Local Music!