Mastering, or more accurately, pre-mastering, is the last creative process in the chain of events that go into producing a CD.

Writing > Recording / Tracking > Mixing > Pre-Mastering > Duplication / Distribution

Mastering puts that final ‘polish’ on the recording to ensure a professional and commercial sounding product that is ready for broadcast or CD duplication. It should get the absolute best out of the recording and achieve the optimum musicality, as well as delivering on the hopes and aspirations of the client. It can involve or include:

• Achieving correct tonal balance
• Improving clarity and transparency
• Adding depth and punch
• Ensuring correct levels
• Proper coding
• Quality control and error free result

These are just some of the important elements of good mastering. There are as many ways of approaching and achieving this as there are individual projects, but good mastering always involves excellent monitoring and a range of high end professional gear, and most importantly, a mastering engineer who knows how to use that equipment and achieve the desired results.

Why do I need it?
As we all know, the music business is a very competitive one, and the final results you achieve with your work can have a major impact on your success.
Whether you are hoping to attract the attention of a record company, publisher or radio station with your latest demo, or mastering a complete album for commercial release, mastering is really essential. It is not a luxury you might want to afford; it’s a necessity you should budget for at the outset of a project.
It is worth remembering that virtually every commercially released recording for many years has been mastered. You also need to have a professional sounding and polished product to have any chance in today’s competitive market.

Why use BabyBear?
When it comes right down to it, all the equipment in the world is no substitute for the expertise and experienced ears of the mastering engineer. At BabyBear we guarantee our results, so whether your style is pop, rock, jazz, classical, hip hop or dance, you can be assured of the same involvement and individual attention to detail that generates consistently high standards and happy clients.
We are committed to the highest standards of customer service and satisfaction and strive to offer the best quality services at affordable prices, first time, every time.