How much of a difference does mastering make in techno?

[tannhauser]

If the track is already very well mixed, then the mastering doesn't do that much, except raising the volume and maybe a tiny bit of extra punch and a bit of EQ'ing, but of course it all depends on the source material.

Here's an example from our label:
http://www.patrick-bateman.dk/tracks/be ... malize.wav (I did a normalize just to raise the volume a bit)
http://www.patrick-bateman.dk/tracks/after_master.wav (mastered by Matt Colton - UK)

Links are dead sadly, would love to have listened. Though I can understand if they were intentionally removed.
I went to a mastering seminar at a local university and Matt Colton was one of the speakers, was extremely interesting, especially when he spoke about how he worked with a lathe. Seemed like a nice chap too.

From the little experience I have with mastering, the better the mix, the better the end result.

[patrick bateman]

If the track is already very well mixed, then the mastering doesn't do that much, except raising the volume and maybe a tiny bit of extra punch and a bit of EQ'ing, but of course it all depends on the source material.

Here's an example from our label:
http://www.patrick-bateman.dk/tracks/be ... malize.wav (I did a normalize just to raise the volume a bit)
http://www.patrick-bateman.dk/tracks/after_master.wav (mastered by Matt Colton - UK)

Links are dead sadly, would love to have listened. Though I can understand if they were intentionally removed.
I went to a mastering seminar at a local university and Matt Colton was one of the speakers, was extremely interesting, especially when he spoke about how he worked with a lathe. Seemed like a nice chap too.

From the little experience I have with mastering, the better the mix, the better the end result.

Yeah, I took the files down already, sorry
Matt is the man.

[deccard]

mastering...communication is the key. give feedback to the mastering before it ends up on vinyl or better tell the mastering guy before he starts what you want. than mastering can give your tracks the final touch. like if you want your hihats with a certain expensive tube sound you dont have at home but the mastering studio has (should have).

here is a nice interview with pole who does pro mastering.
http://www.residentadvisor.net/feature.aspx?1232

there are too many unprofessional people who try themself in mastering. saving money on mastering and asking some buddy with expensive speakers is not a good choice imho.

[djreagen]

mastering...communication is the key. give feedback to the mastering before it ends up on vinyl or better tell the mastering guy before he starts what you want. than mastering can give your tracks the final touch. like if you want your hihats with a certain expensive tube sound you dont have at home but the mastering studio has (should have).

here is a nice interview with pole who does pro mastering.
http://www.residentadvisor.net/feature.aspx?1232

there are too many unprofessional people who try themself in mastering. saving money on mastering and asking some buddy with expensive speakers is not a good choice imho.

cool interview

[Android]

the pre-master has to sound good, you can't polish a turd as they say

exactly

the mix has to be really well balanced and each sound eq'd to have its own space and purpose

mastering is essential

it's like taking the wax model to the bronze foundry

your sound sculpture needs to last a thousand years...

[Jamal]

Yep like hey say, the mix..

But also depands on the master engineer.. Some engineers just raise the volume and cut the peak's.
Some throw it through diffrent HW compressors, ''dynamics'' than the point, is it analog or digital mastering..
If you dont master your tracks by yourself, its always the best to save dynamic in your final mix and make shure the mix is on hes best..

For example:

Look at 3:51, this guy.Alden Tyrell. he doesnt do much, because he wants to keep the sound original.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TifhsJAaieI

But if you check Robert Babicz, its a big diffrence.

mmm , i cant find the right video.. remember that slices interview..
but in this one, you still can se hes studio..
Also the one from Thomas Heckmann is gone :S..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCM7ouu0 ... B0AF95A4B5

[coldfuture]

Thanks for the links Patrick! Very enlightening.

Does anyone else feel like chiming in? If you've had your tracks mastered, did you feel there was a big difference when comparing with the unmastered version?

for me no.

i always attend mastering sessions, and the engineer usually doesnt do very much, and i usually cant tell much difference, maybe just 2 dB louder.

i've never relied on mastering, right from when i first started, i've always concentrated on getting the mix right.

it totally depends on how much attention you give to your mix, if you throw your tracks together without much care, or your monitoring or studio acoustics are very innaccurate, then you will notice a big difference.

I agree with Steevio here. While I haven't had the luxury to attend all my mastering sessions (I send some off to be done via web) I usually don't notice a lot of difference on my tracks. In fact if the M.E. does too much to my tracks I usually get annoyed. As it is even when the job is subtle, I usually like my roomy raw mix to the (even if only slightly) squashed mix.

[victorgonzales]

Depends on the track. A very well made track I won't change very much. Maybe tweak them a bit to get a consistent rms for a release. Some artists give you a very unpolished track though and it can make a big difference. Mainly the difference between 5 copies sold and a couple hundred or more.