Mastering engineers have thousands of recording and mixing techniques to make top notch CD’s and Albums. Analog mastering is one of the best kept secrets of top producers now. Since most everything is recorded in the digital realm, the best mastering engineers will do what’s called analog mastering. What happens is the digital version is converted into an analog version in order to be mastered through analog processors, though many times it is also recorded to an two-track system to acheive the warmth that analog tape gives to the project. It also takes the harshness away from all digital recordings, and can round out the low end giving the bass frequencies that signature analog sound.

Though Analog mastering can cost a bit more than traditional all digital mastering, since it takes more time and there are additional costs for the analog tape, but for serious projects, it can be the final step in achieving the best sound quality for the album. Since digital recordings can feel cold to a lot of listeners because regardless of how loud the signal gets, digital always gives you flat reproduction. Analog tape, on the other hand, softens as the signal increases in level, so peaks are smoothed over rather than clipped, which turns into a warm, rich signal as the harmonic series is smoothed over. To the audience, this is more very pleasing. Furthermore, a hotter input sound will create a larger effect. Since the highs saturate first, this means that as the signal goes up, the highs naturally smooth out a bit, resulting in a less cold, and much better sound.

There are many mastering houses around the world that have the tools to do analog mastering, however, you also need to have an engineer with the track record to get optimal results possible with the equipment. I have worked with a few mastering houses and one of top industry is www.stevethomasmastering.com. He is a top analog mastering engineer, yet he also has done thousands of albums as a mixing engineer as well. In addition, his expertise rivals some of the most expensive mastering houses in the country. If you already have someone you are working with there’s nothing wrong with that. But, I would really encourage you to give him a call. You won’t be disappointed!