my search for mastering equipment enlightenment

[georgia]

To all who helped or who are interested....

I promised an update and here it is.
OK, I've been asking around and searching the web and dropping by some mastering engineer friends... My search for mastering room equipment enlightenment went like this.

QUESTION TO MASTERING ENGINEER 1: Hello ( name withheld ) could you give me an idea of what types of gear you use when mastering? I'm doing research for a private mastering room that i'll be setting up.

Mastering Engineer 1 answer: "soulds like a consulting project to me..."
Mastering Engineer 2 answer: "if you come over and master something i'll be happy to show you our equipment, our rate is..."
Mastering Engineer 3 answer: " We don't publish our equipment list " ( click )
Mastering Engineer 4 answer: " I'm sorry I can't give that imformation out over the phone."

So.. it began to seem to me that maybe, either I was trying to unlock the secret of the universe, or these guys are afraid if they tell me the gear they use, that it will become obvious to me that anybody can master if they have the same equipment..." Now, don't get me wrong. I believe Mastering is an ART not a science... Therefore it seems to me that , although the equipment IS in fact important, it's the trained ear I'm paying for not the toys. So why in heck do these guys hide in the dark like this. Anyway... After some proding and whinning on my part, oh yeah, and on one occassion, getting blasted on LONESTAR beers with one mastering engineer until 2:30am, I got the information I was looking for. And boy oh boy, it's all over the map. Some of this stuff is wonderful and some of it.... well, i'd rather master a tune on a Kenner Close-and-play phonograph. But HEY, FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH.... Here are a few items from my research that mastering engineers keep covered in the dark corner of their facilities under a blanket, behind the planter, in a filing cabinet, locked in the third drawer...and covered up under the 6 year old building permit for their facility...

Before reading on..
Remember... " Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!"


Aerial Monitors
AKG K240 monitor headphone
Alesis 3630
Alesis Master Link ML-9600 High-Resolution Master Disk Recorder
Alesis Masterlink
Ampex ATR 102 analog tape machines, 1/2" & 1/4", with stock and custom Manley tube electronics available
Ampex ATR-102 Analog Tape Machine w/stock & Manley Vacuum Tube Repro Electronics
Aphex 320 Compellor
Aphex Dominator II precision multiband peak limiter
Apogee 24-bit converters
Apogee Ad8000 D/A And A/D 24-Bit Audio Converter With Uv22
APOGEE DA 1000 E-20 / AD 1000 converters
APOGEE PSX-100 24-bit 2-channel 44.1-96 kHz High-Density A/D - D/A Conversion System
Apogee UV22
Appalachian Pro Audio custom interface
ATR 102
Audio Control 3050A Spectrum Analyzer
Audio Design AD/DA convertors
Audio Design Probox 10 digital sampling rate converter
Audio Design Probox 3 digital format converter
Audio Research LS 25 Vacuum Tube Preamp
Audio Research Vacuum Tube VT100 High Definition Amp
Audio Research vacuum tube VT100 high definition amplifier
B&W 801 Nautilus
BBE 882A Sonic Maximizer
BBE Sonic Maximizer EQ´s
Bryston BP-25 preamplifier and 4B amplifier
Canadian audiophile monitors made by Mirage resting on concrete/granite/neopreme glass vibration isolators
CD Associates CDA-1000 CD Error Checker
CEDAR deClick processing
CEDAR deCrackle processing
CEDAR deNoise processing
CEDAR deThump processing
Concept Designs Mastering Workstation
Custom Inward Connection/Rotel/Mirage monitor system.
dB Technologies AD-122/96MkII analog to digital converter
db Technologies D/A and A/D Converters
DB Technology AD122-96 24/96 analog to digital converter
DBX 150X Noise Reduction Encoder/Decoder
dbx Quantum
DBX-1 noise reduction
Delta Systems Aural Exiter
Denon DN-790R Cassette Recorder
Denon Dual Cassette Deck
Digital COMPRESSOR/LIMITER/GATE
Digital Prism/Maselec MLA-2 Equalizer
DLT Tape Recorder
DMR 4000 U-matic recorder
DMR-4000 Troisi 24/96 A/D and D/A Converters
Dolby 330 Noise Reduction Unit w/ CAT66 Cards
Dolby 361 Noise Reduction Unit w/ Dolby B & Dolby NR
Dolby 422 B-C-S Noise Reduction Encoder/Decoder
Dolby A
Dolby SR
Dorrough Loudness Meter GW 2 channel meter GW oscilloscope
Drawmer M500 Dynamics Processor
Drawmer MX50 Dual De-Esser
DTA 2000 tape analyser
Eclipse Data Technologies ImageAnalysis CD Analyzer
EQ Sony PCM-1630
EQUALIZER DS 1
Exabyte 8mm/DDP
FOCUSRITE Blue 315 Isomorphic mastering equalizer
Focusrite Blue Mastering Compressor
Focusrite Blue Mastering Isomorphic Equaliser
Fostex D10 DAT machine
Furman IT-1220 Balanced Isolation Transformer
Genelec 1031A Studio Monitors
Genesis 800 time-aligned subwoofers
Genesis AD/DA
Genesis V Series Monitors
Genex AS101 Audio Switcher
GILTRONICS custom vacuum tube line amplifier
GML 9500 mastering equalizer
Harmonia Mundi BW-102 digital console
HHB CDR-800 Standalone CD Recorder
Inward Connections TSL-1
Jünger d01 Dynamics Processor
Klark-Teknik DN410 Parametric Equalizer
Krell Amplification
L2 Digital limiter
Lexicon 300 Digital Effects Processor
Lexicon PCM70 digital reverberation
Manley Massive Passive all vacuum tube parametric mastering EQ
Manley vacuum tube digital to analog converter
Manley vacuum tube mastering Mid-Frequency Equalizer
Manley vacuum tube mastering Pultec Equalizer
Manley vacuum tube stereo "Variable-Mu" Limiter/Compressor
Manley Variable-MU all vacuum tube stereo compressor/limiter
Mapleshade heavy-hat weights, iso pads, cone points and maple platforms.
MEA-2 Mastering Eq
Meridian 518 digital audio processor
Meyer Hd-1 Monitors
Meyer Sound HD-1 audio monitors
Millennia TCL-2 Compressor
MK II 24/96 Equalizer
Modified Ampex ATR 102 Analog Tape Machine with stock and custom Manley vacuum tube electronics
Mogami cable throughout
Mytec Digital AES/EBU meter
Neve 33609/c Stereo Limiter/Compressor
NTI EQ3 Sound enhancement System
NTP 585-100 programmable analog equalizer
Otari MTR12 ¼", 2 track Tape Recorder
Pacific Microsonics HDCD A/D D/A digital processor
Padus/Plextor high speed CD cloning
Panasonic 3800 DAT machine
Panasonic SV3700 DAT Recorder
Plexor 820 CD-R
Plextor CD Writer
Plextor red-book standard CD writer ATC SCM100a
Prism AD-1 analog to digital converter
Prism Audio MLA-2 Compressor,
Prism DA-1 24-bit digital to analog converter
RME Hammerfall 9636 ADAT / SPDIF
Rotel turntable with moving coil cartridge
SADiE ARTEMIS 24/96 DAW
SADiE Artemis Editing System Editing
SMC0.1/15 active monitoring
Sonic Solutions 16 Channel 24-Bit Digital Audio Workstation
Sonic Solutions 24/96 digital audio workstation
Sonic Solutions Digital Audio Workstation
Sontec MES-462C9 parametric mastering EQ
Sony $69.00 Portable Jam Box [The Final Test]
Sony APR-5000 1/2" & 1/4" Analog Deck
Sony CD burner,
Sony CDW 900e CD Writer
Sony D-500 DAT
Sony DMR-4000 digital tape recorders
Sony PCM 1630 & DMR-4000 Systems
Sony PCM 1630 processor
Sony PCM 601 Processor
Sony PCM 7030 DAT recorder with varispeed & instant start
Sony PCM F1 (PAL Betamax)
Sony PCM R-500 Dat Recorder
Sony PCM-1630 digital processor
Sony PCM2300 DAT Recorder
Sony/HHB CD players/recorders
Spatializer Retro 3-D audio processor
Spl SX2 Recording PC 2100
Studer 807 2-Track Reel To Reel Recorder
Studer A80MR MKII ½" 4 track Tape Recorder
Studer A820 ¼" / ½" stereo recorders
t.c. electronic Finalizer 96K
t.c. electronic System 6000 Multi-Channel Processor
Tannoy MDL 215 II monitors
Tascam 122 MKIII cassette machine
Tascam 24-Bit DA-45HR DAT machine,
Tascam DA 45-HR 24 Bit DAT
Tascam DA30 DAT Recorder
Tascam Da45hr 24-Bit Dat Machine
Tascam DA-98 HR 24 Bit Digital 8 Track
Tascam DA-R45 24-bit DAT machine
Tascam Mini Disc,
TC DBMAX 5 band limiter
TC Electronic Finalizer Plus
Tc Electronic M-5000 Digital Audio Mainframe With 2 Engines Equipped With Mastering And Dynamics Software
tc electronics Finalizer 96 high resolution digital eq/dynamics
TC Triple C
TL Audio C1 valve compressor
Valley DSP De-essers (in PR2 rackmount)
Weiss BW-102 digital console
Weiss DS-1 24-bit de-esser/compressor/limiter
Weiss EQ-1 DS MK2 24/96 dual 7 band digital parametric equalizer
Weiss EQ-1 MK2 24/96 Digital Mastering Equalizer
Weiss EQ1-DS Mk II 24/96 digital EQ
Yamaha 02R
Yamaha NS-10M
Yamaha Q2031
Z Systems Digital Detangler
z-3src 24/96 sample rate converter,
Z-Systems Digital Router Sonic
Z-Systems z8.8 Digital Audio Router

If you've gotten this far and aren't bored yet, i'm sure there are a lot of other items that are used but at least its an interesting list to review... Just to be fair, since I do a little mastering as well, here are my toys:

Neve Capricorn ( with on board EQ, Filter, Compressor, Limiters )( Neve ANAlog / Digital Converters)
Euphonix A/D
Euphonix Digital Router
Protools 5.1.3 Mix+
TC Electronics 6000 with ALL software options fully loaded
DK Audio Meter 600M
DTS encoding / decoding for DTS 5.1 CDs
DTS T1 and DTS T2 tower for DTS printmastering and DTS CD's
Genelec 1030A w/ 109A sub
Genelec 1031A w/ 7071A sub
All speakers floated on High End Isolators
DA98HR
CD writer ( Master List, toast, and a few other various CD burning packages )
The rest of my toys can be see on my web site


Cheers
georgia

[Extreme Mixing]

Yes, that pretty well covers it.

Steve Marcussen was mastering some stuff for one of my clients and I came along to listen in. I started talking about gear, the way I usually do when I'm around other engineers. Steve turns to me and says " You know, mastering is a very competitive field, and I'd rather not have this conversation."

Steve

[hurdy gurdy]

Very cool, but now I'm suffering from gear envy! (From both this list and from viewing your website!)
Enjoy winter making music!
LB.

[THETHRILLFACTOR]

To all who helped or who are interested....

I promised an update and here it is.
OK, I've been asking around and searching the web and dropping by some mastering engineer friends... My search for mastering room equipment enlightenment went like this.



If you've gotten this far and aren't bored yet, i'm sure there are a lot of other items that are used but at least its an interesting list to review... Just to be fair, since I do a little mastering as well, here are my toys:

Neve Capricorn ( with on board EQ, Filter, Compressor, Limiters )( Neve ANAlog / Digital Converters)
Euphonix A/D
Euphonix Digital Router
Protools 5.1.3 Mix+
TC Electronics 6000 with ALL software options fully loaded
DK Audio Meter 600M
DTS encoding / decoding for DTS 5.1 CDs
DTS T1 and DTS T2 tower for DTS printmastering and DTS CD's
Genelec 1030A w/ 109A sub
Genelec 1031A w/ 7071A sub
All speakers floated on High End Isolators
DA98HR
CD writer ( Master List, toast, and a few other various CD burning packages )
The rest of my toys can be see on my web site


Cheers
georgia

You've left out a couple of things:

1) Duntech Sovereigns or Dunlavy monitors(SC IV or V)- Very popular(seen at Scott Hulls place at the Hit Factory).

2) You mentioned B&W 801's, but the 802's are actually more popular among the mastering engineers(with a sub of course).

3) The Manley Mastering console(different configurations)

4) The mastering CraneSong STC-8(which I've seen in the top mastering rooms as much these days as the mastering Vari-Mu).

5) The Dangerous monitoring section-all over at Sterling,Masterdisk,The Hit Factory, and The Lodge.

6) Once in a while EAR and Fairman gear

7) For limiters, the Dominator 2 for analog(heavily modified of course, the standard one is not transparent enough). Seen at Bernie Grundman mastering.

Digital-the Waves L2(seen everywhere)

[spudsound]

Steve Marcussen..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.. he may have the gear but HE AINT GOT THE EARS.........

[Extreme Mixing]

Steve Marcussen..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.. he may have the gear but HE AINT GOT THE EARS.........

Exactly. We didn't use his work on the project, though he was paid. We wound up using Vlado Meller at Sony in New York. The difference was amazing.

[RobMacki]

Have you read "Mastering Audio" by Bob Katz?
It's really very comprehensive. I just started reading it.
He includes equipment and techniques.

[spudsound]

Great book... It's really a must read for anyone involved in the recording process....

[Alécio Costa]

I would not be ashamed to post here that I have done junior mastering with Q10, TC Master X 5, Power Dither, Vintage Warmer, PAZ and providing better results in a few situations than a top mastering lab here.

Seems nowadays guys have damaged/bad ears!

There is nothing more boring than receiving a phone call from a "potential top client" asking you if you have Avalon, PT HD Accel, Adams and is not worried about your skills/ears.

Nice weekend

BTW.. George, how are ya? (the man is a clone of my father-lol)

[spudsound]

I'd agree that it really does come down to the ears and the skills of the engineer...no amount of top end gear will make you an engineer..you need the fundamentals there to be able to hear what the tracks need and what the gear you do use is doing for it...(or to it)..