• Mixing or mastering it yourself (unless it’s just a quick demo or reference for your band or a studio).
• Using a low cost engineer or a friend “who can do it cheaper”.
• Using online algorithm based ‘robot mastering’ software. Well marketed but poor results. Designed for amateurs. These are like the fast food versions in the music industry

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MIXING

“when you want more than the quick mix on a live mixer”

 

A live mixer & quick set up? Few plugins, then “here’s your CD at the end of the day”?

No. It’s not a joke. I see this done by studios more and more….Well good news! That’s not gonna happen when you choose me. To reach the best results I use analogue rack equipment and also digital processing the get best of both worlds. I wouldn’t just sit down, throw a few plugins on your project. I use many bonus / extra procedures, which you wouldn’t usually get with mixing. Musicians I worked with named it “Andris trademark” process. I don’t think I do anything differently than all good honest studios would do. I’m just a sound enthusiast who puts his heart into your projects and treat all your songs as it was mine.

The process projects go through usually with “Andris trademark” services:

Editing:

Editing is most useful in two cases. It gives you a tight sound as it brings the whole track together. Helps to fix things if there’s an error that is disturbing . I don’t like to overdo it as it eliminates the human elements in your music, but believe it helps a lot to take your raw tracks to the next level.

Track Enhancement:

Maybe you wished for an “in your face” shotgun snare sound and a punchy kick, but maybe you wanted a soft and smooth sounding one. With track enhancement I mainly use analog gear to bring out the best sound of each track we recorded and make it sound the way you wanted it. I do this one by one / track by track (real time processing) with high-end analogue equipment, which results in a quality plugins can’t do. (tube & tape, different transfomer sounds, saturation, optical- vca- or fet compressor sounds…etc)

Sound design: (optional)

Does your project need extra instruments? Maybe a synth or a beat? No problem!

Mixing:

I have one policy when it comes to mixing: You always have to be able to hear everything. Each hit, pluck, word…etc. Mixing creates separation and also a nice sounding stereo for your project. My work is always a second experience through headphones as it has depth and a 3D feel.

Once I’m done with mixing, I’ll invite you back to have a listen together / revise your project and fine-tune it to your likings. If you’re unable to revisit, you have 3 options:

1. I can send you a sample of the full song if the full price has already been paid.
2. I can send you a short sample if the full price has not been paid yet.
3. I can send you a full sample with a metronome watermark on it if the full price has not been paid yet.

One thing is sure. When we’re both happy, I’ll master your project.

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Mastering:

Gives your project a final polish to make things sound bigger, better, richer and reach industry standard loudness for physical and online releases, where low end, mids and highs are all sounding balanced and pleasant for the ear. For mastering I also use analogue gear & digital processing to get the best of both worlds and do what’s best for your project. Once finished mastering, you get one more revision and have the option to make changes. Just to make it clear, it doesn’t include rerecording an instrument or vocal for example. But I’ll do anything to make sure you’re happy with the results.

Files:

2 for physical and 2 for online releases.

Online: -13 LUFS, 16 bit, 24 bit, 32 bit or 64 bit wav and same but 320 kbps mp3

Physical: -5 to -8 LUFS 16 bit, 24 bit, 32 bit or 64 bit wav and same but 320 kbps mp3

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WHAT I’LL NEED FROM YOU

Mixing:

• Stem files (dry). No compression, eq, effects…etc.
• A stereo audio track (wet) (optional) This helps me to understand, how you think your song should sound like.
• Minimum 6dB headroom
• All files with the same starting point

Mastering:

• Mixed stereo files
• Minimum 6dB headroom
• Uncompressed
• No limiting

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