Azimuth Mastering is a New Jersey based studio that provides high-quality mastering services to independent musicians with a quick turnaround time at affordable prices. Azimuth is run by Bill Henderson, an independent songwriter who has been creating recordings from his own studio since 1998.
|
Some "before and after" Azimuth mastering samples:
With Honor (256 kpbs MP3) - "Bridges and Gaps" from re-release of s/t EP
Ambitions (256 kpbs MP3) - "Neon Lights" from the Question EP
Alex Radus (256 kpbs MP3) - "I'm Yours" from the Love Me Like You Hate Me LP
Endast (256 kpbs MP3) - "Something That Will Fall" from Odds Against Tomorrow
Between the Wars (256 kpbs MP3) - "The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing" from Death and the Sea LP
Helcaraxë (256 kpbs MP3) - "Triumph" from Triumph & Revenge LP
|
$150 for LPs
$95 for EPs
$28 per song (3 songs or less)
Prices reflect a "standard" mastering job, which includes raising/standardizing volume, EQ, Compression, Track Sequencing, standard fade ins/fade outs. If your recording has other special requirements on a track-by-track basis (Noise Reduction, Samples, etc), an hourly rate for "detail" work can be negotiated to fit your needs.
|
Depending on any special requests you may have, masters can generally be completed by the day after the songs are received! In many cases, you can get your mastered songs back online the same day. We can always discuss specific time frames if you have special needs for your CD. Please see the FAQ for more info.
|
Azimuth also provides cassette tape audio extraction, remastering, and restoration services. Does your band want to rerelease songs from a demo tape that now only
exists on cassette? Just send us your tape and we'll convert your songs to digital format, remove tape noise, remaster the recording, and restore the sound to better than new quality! Here is a sample mp3:
Cassette Restoration Sample - Noise reduction of tape hiss, restortation of damaged tape warbling
|
E-Mail: bill@billhenderson.org
Phone: 609.323.7591
Address: 553 Lafayette Ave. - Ewing, NJ 08628
|
I'm in a hurry to get my record mastered, how quickly can I get it back?
In almost all cases, I can have the songs ready for you within 24 hours of receiving your CD/files (often even sooner!). You can receive high-quality MP3s or WAV files
immediately after the master is complete in your own private folder on my website. I will also mail you a master CD. I ship first class free of charge, but
if you'd like to upgrade to a faster shipping, that is fine too!
How much input do I have on the way my master will sound?
When you send in your songs, I'll ask
you if you have any preferences in terms of EQ or overall sound. As I master your album, I will upload mp3 samples for you to check out so you can provide feedback and tell me if everything is sounding exactly as you want it. Your master isn't considered finalized until you have approved it and it sounds exactly the way you want!
What are the services you provide in the mastering process?
I will compress your songs to make sure your album is at standard CD volume, EQ the songs to make your mix sound brighter and fuller, and set up
track transitions and any special requests you may have regarding fades or post-mix editing. In general, I will make your mix sound as good as it can sound and most importantly, make sure that YOU are happy with it!
What is the best way to send you my songs?
The fastest and simplest way is by using my FTP. I have set up an FTP server so that artists can simply upload their songs to me.
This eliminates the delays associated with sending CDs through the mail. I have also received damaged CDs from the post office on a couple of occasions,
so the FTP would help solve that problem too. If you're not familiar with uploading files, you don't even need a fancy FTP program - anyone with Internet Explorer
can upload to my server quite easily - I can just send you the login information and some very simple instructions. But if you'd rather not FTP the songs,
you can always just send a CD to the address above!
In what format do you prefer to receive the songs?
For ease and quality, it's best if you can send WAV files. 44.1KHz, 16-bit, stereo interleaved. If, however, that's not possible for some reason, I can deal with just about any format.
How loud should my songs be when I send them in for mastering?
It's best if your mix peaks at about -3 to -4 dB. If your songs are louder than that, there will be very little wiggle room to work with EQ and compression.
Can you master my record for vinyl instead of CD? What differences are there?
Absolutely - I do plenty of vinyl releases. With vinyl there is a relationship between the amplitude of the music and
the width of grooves on the record. This means that quite often you'll need to have a record that's mastered a little bit quieter and with
somewhat less low-end frequencies in order to accommodate the pressing of the vinyl. You can rest assured that I'll maintain all of your
dynamics and you'll still have a well-EQ'd record that will sound great after pressing!
|
|
