Quality in pro and non-pro band recording

Posted on

Member Since: Apr 14, 2002

Hey,
Quick question.
We have an indie station here in Cincinnati and when I listen to it, most of the recordings sound really sick.
What is it that makes the pro-recorded songs sound so much fuller and thicker than the songs recorded in an "allright" studio?

Thanks,
Mitch

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


May 14, 2002 06:05 am

It's usually in the mastering, a good mastering engineer (like me...hehehe) adds a few db of volume and some fullness to the sound...most indies or newbies far underestimate the value of a good mastering job because they don't want to spend the extra money.

It is very common for newbies to go to the studio do their multitracking, mix it down to a DAT or cassette stereo mix and then duplicate it. What that tape actually is is called a "premaster" it is them supposed to go through mastering to prepare for duplication and distribution, but, like I said, many newbies and indies don't want to spend, or more likely, don't have the money to spend, on that final stage of production.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


May 14, 2002 11:35 pm

The other possability is that the station itself has very limited equipment and very low wattage output. This will also hamper the sound you hear, making it sound thin and lifeless even if it is a good recording. If it is not being broadcast through some decant equipment it will not sound very good.

Member
Since: Apr 03, 2002


May 14, 2002 11:56 pm

like db described. i used to ask myself, "whats the difference?" between, pro recordings and project studio ones. and at one point i thought i couldnt hear a difference. but now i realize that mastering is what MAKES the recording. adding in reverbs,effects, boosts, and fullness is VERy essential to crossing the line drawn between, amatuer and PRO.

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