There are many recording and mixing tricks used in the industry that make top notch recordings. Steve at www.stevethomasmastering.com does analog mastering which is one of the best secrets of top producers today. Considering that most everything is recorded in the digital realm, highend mixing engineers will do what’s called layback mastering. The digital recording is converted back into an analog recording so it can be mastered through original analog processors, though a lot of times it is also recorded to an two-track machine in order to get the fatness that analog tape gives to the sound. It also takes the brittleness away from digital recordings, and can even out the bottom end giving the bottom frequencies that signature analog sound.

There are pros and cons but the advantages are worth it. Analog CD mastering can cost a little more than traditional all digital mastering, since it takes additional time and there are additional costs for the analog tape, but for important projects, it can be the end step in achieving the best quality for the record. The reason for this is digital recordings can seem more brittle to many listeners because regardless of how loud the signal gets, digital always gives you accurate yet flat reproduction. Analog tape, however, saturates as the DB increases in level, so heigh end peaks are rounded rather than clipped, which turns into a warm, fat sound as the harmonics are smoothed over. To the audience, this is more pleasing. Furthermore, a hotter input song will result in a more exaggerated effect. Since the top ranges soften up first, this will mean that as the signal increases, the highs will naturally smooth out, resulting in a less brittle, and much better sound. This is the beauty of analog mastering.

There are many mastering houses around the country that have the equipment to do CD mastering, however, you also need to have a solid professional with the proven experience to get optimal end product possible with the gear. I have tried a few studios and one of best quality is www.stevethomasmastering.com. He is a top layback CD mastering engineer, yet he also has done thousands of albums as a mixing engineer as well. In addition, his expertise rivals some of the most pricey mastering studios in the world. If you already have someone you are using that’s fine. But, I would certainly to look him up. You won’t be disappointed!

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