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Mastering by Lorin Edwin Parker

Evolving the Mix for Vinyl and Digital

Melcor GME-

 

Old Fashioned patience, perfectionism and technical expertise:

Using old school techniques and a blend of the best analog and digital technology from the 1950s to the present, I can make your album sound like an ALBUM! Each track is carefully sculpted to the client / artists' vision and perfected to sound ideal on any recording medium, from MP3 to Vinyl.

I have worked with classical, jazz, experimental, rock, country, hip hop and every other conceivable style. I have even used mastering and cleaning techniques to clarify audio for forensic investigations. Many of my talented clients and colleagues are notable, including Andre Vida and Anthony Braxton, Morton Subotnik, Gregory TS Walker, Dick Weissman and others (please see "about" page for more colleagues and credits) -- however I believe in treating every client as if they were a million dollar contract.

I hold a B.Sc. in Electrical and Audio Engineering from the University of Colorado and an MFA in Sound Practice form the California Institute of the Arts. My mentors, teachers, bosses and colleagues have included Roy Pritts, Tom Lang, Rich Sanders, Robert Moog, Eddie Kramer, David Rosenboom, Nicolas Collins, Barry Conley and Ted Greenberg.

Mastering for Vinyl is my specialty. I have extensive knowledge of the unique medium of Vinyl records and can tailor a master specifically for pressing to Vinyl at a modern facility. I consider how every frequency, decibel and musical note affects a record cutting lathe, which creates a mastered recording that will not be tweaked, distorted, phased or modified in the vinyl manufacturing process. I also pay special attention to factors that affect playback and could lead to skipping, skating or tracking errors. Finally, I accentuate the best features of Vinyl in my mastering, like full bass and mids, depth of tone and warmth, while smoothing out sounds that don't translate well to the Vinyl process. When Mastering for Vinyl, I always create a unique master for the record press and never send the CD or Digital master for vinyl printing. I can also recommend presses and processes for unique requirements, such as 7" 33's, 45s, "Audiophile", "slow cut" and heavy weight records. I can also give common sense advice on what features presses offer and when to use them (or not use them).

Tools used in Mastering vary from project to project, but commonly used tools include:

Knowledge, Patience, Attention to Detail and Good Manners:

  • As important as any equipment! I take pride in my work and detailed attention. I also maintain open, friendly relationships with presses, distributors, artists, producers and other engineers.
  • Ability to work within a budget and keep value extremely high for fair prices.

Analog Equipment:

  • 4 Oscilloscopes for precision metering of phase, level and compression
  • Scientific filters (B&K and Krohn-Hite) for scientific accuracy.
  • Vintage compressors, expanders and de-essers including Telefunken, Spectrasonix, DBX, Sony, Dolby, RCA.
  • Vintage and classic EQs including Siemens, Telefunken, Langevin, Alice, Neve, Melcor.
  • Classic Transformers and house made equipment (much is all -tube) to warm, compress, expand or remove "digititis".
  • Modern, state of the art EQs, filters and equipment for precision work.
  • Multiple reel to reel tape machines. (Masters can be delivered on tape or digitally).
  • Many good turntables and stereo equipment for checking test pressings, including Technics, Marantz, Tandberg and more.

Digital Equipment:

  • All Files worked with at 96Khz, 24 bit or higher, to ensure clarity and precision.
  • MOTU MasterWorks
  • MOTU Digital Performer 7.22
  • Bias Peak and Bias Sound Soap
  • Spectrographic tools & scientific programs
  • Software and plugins by Izotope, MOTU, ProTools and Steinberg.
  • Delivery by DVD, FTP, CD or Analog Tape.

Speakers and Amplifiers:

  • Genelec
  • Yamaha
  • Adam
  • Vintage JBL and Marantz
  • Sennheiser
  • Crown
  • QSC
  • Bose
  • "Truth tests" with - Radio Shack, TVs, Car Stereos, Instrument Amps & PA System components.

Please Contact Me parker @ electricwester.com for inquiries, quotes or just to say hello or share!

Pricing varies, so please inquire for a quote. I work out of Albuquerque, NM at Electric Western and Hot House Albuquerque. Clients do not need to be in Albuquerque to get a great master, but I'm always happy to have clients in the studio with me.

 

Links To Mastering and Recording Allies:

spectral image of drum hits

Above: A digital spectrogram showing the unique frequency signatures of a drum kit.