Independent Mastering

03/29/2022

Something I learned when doing this LP: Jan & Dean and The Beach Boys covered each other’s music.

Surf City is The Beach Boys (Brian Wilson)

Little Old Lady from Pasadena is a Jan and Dean song. (Roger Christian)

Check out the pitch/depth meters working hard (Thanks flo) on Barbara Ann. Apparently Dean sang on the 1965 Beach Boys version—but this version here is Jan & Dean in 1962.

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#jan&dean#jananddean#vinylreissie
#surfmusic
#vinylmastering
#lacquermastering
#independentmastering
@independentmastering

03/28/2022

AFM 257 is having a membership drive.

I’ll never be vested; I pay dues every year to support the guys & gals who ARE vested and to keep the wheels on the bus going in the future. AFM has locals all over the country. @afm_union @pomeroy.dave

https://www.nashvillemusicians.org

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#AFM257 #American Federation of Musicians

03/22/2022

Vinegar Syndrome. Mid 1960s 1/4” Kodak 34a with Durol backing (replacement for acetate).

This cupping/twisting is caused by the different base chemicals deteriorating at different rates over time, lose packing on the reel, and possibly less than ideal storage. But it’s the chemical deterioration that is the main cause.

Exercising and slowly repacking the reel under more tension helped, but not enough to get it to lay flat enough, long enough, to play.

#analogtape

02/25/2022

Art /music matters because when there’s nothing to say, you can still say something.

Picasso, 1949 Dove of Peace
Sunflowers, Ukrainian National Flower

02/13/2022

& mastered @independentmastering thanks to all these fine people who trust us with their art. Can ‘O Pop is my favorite off this.

01/27/2022

Some neighbors ask for a cup of sugar when they’re in need. Some, two resistors and a switch.

01/26/2022

Congratulations @grant_dermody for a well deserved spot. Glad to have been a part of it!
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#bluesharmonica#theblues#independentmastering#rootsmusic

01/20/2022

I was reminded of this one a couple of days ago; from 2018 I think? Fun, high energy live show with a few bonus studio tracks tacked on.

#kentuckyheadhunters#livealbum#independentmastering

01/12/2022

Dropped off earlier today and presented in a white/blue swirl.

This was a fun one from last summer. Rocky Hill, in a trio of Texas Blues, produced by John Lomax. Mastered and cut here.

Happy New Year!

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#rockyhill#texasblues#lacquermastering #independentmastering

12/22/2021

Annnnnd that’s a wrap. See y’all in 2022!
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#isitoveryet

12/18/2021

Bing Crosby & White Christmas for a “best of”Xmas hits record mastered & cut back in June. Ho ho ho!

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#whitechristmas#bingcrosby#scullylathe#vinylmastering

12/05/2021

December 2021

December 2021 • Giving Season - https://mailchi.mp/4bf4b02dbabc/december-2021-giving-season

Season of Giving

12/02/2021

Independent Masterin is raising funds for MusiCares

Independent Masterin is raising funds for MusiCares

Please join me in supporting this cause so close to my heart. Donate to MusiCares' Help for the Holidays program!

10/27/2021

20 years ago today I walked out of my job and into self employment. I figured if I wasn’t going to get paid, (and yes, the paychecks were bouncing) I might as well be free.

Hard Rock producer/engineer Michael Wagener and Al Bunetta at Oh Boy Records were my first clients. Somewhere there’s a photo of Sebastian Bach (of Skid Row) smoking in the hammock on the porch, and another of Al and John in the hallway at the old studio... Michael is retired but we txt’d just the other day; Al’s gone. But it was good start and I’m thankful for them, and to Tony Brown at MCA, Erik and Deb and Blake over at Sony, Steve Haselton (Sheffield Lab/Mastering Lab) who built the first line amps and mentored (and still does) me with the signal path.

And of course Don Cobb (L) who quite the same job we both had about 6 months later and came to work with me.

Without the confidence of these people we wouldn’t have made it. And I am thankful.

#jumpandthenetwillappear

10/12/2021

Nicholas Tremulis

super fun cut with long sides AND heavy low end. It’s magic! It’s mysterious! ...Reality is, it’s a lotta freegin’ work to get it right and keep the low end where it needs to be.

#lacquermastering#everythingeffectseverything#vinylmastering #independentmastering #scullylathe#getitright

10/09/2021

This was a fun one cut back in July or August ~ out Oct 8! (yesterday)
#birdtalker #birdtalkerthetides#vinylmastering#scullylathe#lacquermastering#makingrecords

09/23/2021

Stories. I’m here to hear the stories, (and make rekerds) and today did not disappoint.

#Donna Fargo #The Happiest Girl #Funnyface#independentmastering#tapeteansfer#popcountrylegendinthehouse

09/22/2021

Here in MasteringLand Christmas starts in May. All summer long we listen to carols, bells, arrangements of standards, and new Xmas tunes. ...And I would have waited until December to mention this one, but, @stevewariner tex’d me yesterday to say it was going on sale today. So, if you simply want to skip Autumn altogether and go directly to Xmas, here’s your chance. I’ve been here since May, so, you’re all late anyway. ⛄️🎄

All joking / promoting aside, Steve’s been a client and friend for over 20 years and I’m proud of this one, it’s really good. #christmasmusic #stevewariner #vinylmastering #standards #independentmastering

09/02/2021

Needs no introduction. #TheFabFurryFour#harddaysnight

08/20/2021

This came in the mail today from Nonesuch, something we mastered about this time last year! What a nice way to end a week! Thanks @nonesuchrecords
(And hat’s off to Jon Randall, who’s solo record we finished earlier this year comes out next month too)(for those who don’t know, Jon was in this band and is on this record) September is going to a great month for new music!

08/10/2021

This record jams.

Happy release day to The Moonpies!

#mikeandthemoonpies#[email protected]

07/31/2021

KT Tunstall on her show-halting hearing loss https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-58033812

I’ve been wearing earplugs since I was 17 because I’ve never enjoyed loud concerts. Pre-pandemic I wore them at restaurants.

If you’re in the arts, in music, protect your ears—careers are short enough already.

#hearingloss#earsafety#independentmastering#musicbusiness#entertainmentbusiness#livemusic

07/15/2021

Once again I have cracked myself up by forgetting the irreverent humor I place on these things (and the industry) months before while registering. ...Truth is, I do wash the dishes here. #crackyourselfup#summernamm#showbiz

06/18/2021

Some of us are getting back into the swing of things, and for those who are, I encourage you to help those who aren’t quite up to speed yet.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=MLEAPTJS3HBJC&source=url

This is the Nashville Musicians Association Crisis Assistance Fund 501(c)3.
#afm257#nashvillemusicians#pandemicassistance

06/04/2021

Happy Release Day
@saramorganmusic
Thanks to
@allensoundservices
@spartacus1960 @mixerbell
@davebechtelmusic @independentmastering

#saramorgan#anothernail

https://saramorganmusic.com/album/1888707/another-nail

05/18/2021

Winner winner chicken dinner! A new winner from the same number. Instead of counting backwards from the top down to 72, we counted up 72... and?!?
@jamielinwilson if you want it you got it! I already have the address because what? We’ve done two or three records for you!? Congratulations! And if you already have it, you can pay it forward or I can draw another number.

Who woulda thought giving away something would be this hard?

#themarfagiveaway

05/15/2021

And the winner is! @tapehissrecordingstudio

For a non verifiable no rules random contest you didn’t know you entered which you have no obligation to accept... you’ve won my extra (opened but not played) copy of The Marfa Tapes. Email [email protected] with you address and I’ll send it out.

IF you don’t want it or it’s not claimed by...Tuesday, ...a nice random day, we will spin the random number generator again and pick someone else!

How was the number chosen? I put in the number of followers (597) rolled random, counted down the follower list to 72. Totally scientific...

Remember folks: if it’s not fun, don’t do it. And if you gotta do it, make it fun.

05/08/2021

I went to Grimey’s New and Pre-Loved Music, (a local Nashville record shop) and spent $34 with tax.

I probably could call or email someone to get a free copy, but that would defeat the purpose, which is: supporting art and the vehicles which allow it to exist.

#musicisn’tfree #leadbyexample

04/30/2021

35 year old tape sounds dang good. 4+hours in the oven to stabilize it first... #tapebaking#Dolby#DolbyA#DolbySR#tapetransfer#oldmusiccatalog#1/4”Analogtape#analogtapebaking

04/30/2021

Back to the 1980s. The PCM1630(top) + DMR4000 (bottom) were the de facto mastering setup for compact disc. Ours still cranks up to transfer these old vault masters now and then. Today? 1980s Canadian band “Doug and the Slugs” #dougandtheslugs
#PCM1630#DMR4000#Umatic#UMaticTape#CDMaster#DigitalArchive#independentmastering#VTR#1630#digitaltape#digitaltapetransfer

04/14/2021

Re-racked Ampex 351 Tape electronics = optional tube front end. Coupled with our matching 1/2” tape head or digital files? 1958 meets 2021.

#AMPEX351#Tubes#vintagevinylsound#1950’ssound#lacquermastering#analogmastering#scullylathe#[email protected]

04/13/2021

Adam @nashvillerecordingsupply hooked me up with a 7” x 1/2” hub for tape leader. Thanks!! Stoked to have everything in one place now. Bring on the splicing!#nashvillerecordingsupply#analogtape#masteringfromtape#tapetodisk#independentmastering

04/09/2021

Lock groove fun; But with a manual lift/drop on the cutting head? Nope. Luck is all this is. #lockgroove #vinylmastering #scullylathe #westrex3dii