Making the most of it
A good recording ultimately lives from a spirited performance. Every recording needs a good producer to help the performers achieve their full potential. The producer’s job is basically to lend his ears to the musicians and give them competent yet sensitive advice wherever necessary. By marking up scores the producer takes notes about which takes are good and where problem areas lie. This is necessary to establish an edit plan for the following editing process.
Our expertise in music styles, performance techniques, acoustic requirements and electronic procedures allows us to produce recordings to the highest standards from the beginning of a project to the finished master.
Nip and tuck
With the notes taken during the recording sessions, we establish an edit plan. This can be done in conjunction with the performers but we usually compile a first edit on our own and send a listening copy to the performers. They will then add their comments and suggestions and according to these we will make a second edit, which often will be the final master if no other changes are necessary.
Editing can be a very complex process and requires musical and technical skill. When cutting and pasting the various takes together, tempi, rhythm and the general feel of the performance need to be carefully matched in order to produce a coherent and flowing performance. The skill is to make it sound as if there were no edits at all!
The editing process is streamlined by using a program which supports source-destination editing - all of the source takes are lined up in one editing window and the final montage or destination is in another window. Sections are then cut from the source and pasted into the destination. All editing is non-destructive and can be changed at any time without touching the original audio file.
Cooking it to perfection
Mastering is the process where the sound levels between different tracks are balanced, space and/or ambiance between tracks is added, the tonal-balance is tweaked and PQ data (track numbers and CD-Text) is allocated.
Occasionally more drastic measures need to be taken to “fix” a recording that is not quite right. For this we use high-quality plug-ins to de-click, de-hiss or add reverberation.
Although we record classical music, we offer mastering services for a variety of different musical styles, including pop and rock productions. Using high-end multi/single band compression and EQ (Flux Alchemist & Algorithmix Orange, Red and Blue EQ), recordings are given depth and dynamics for a musical (rather than just loud!) result.
Formats accepted
DAT (16-bit)
CD-R and DVD-R
AIFF, WAV or SD2 Data Files 16, 24 or 32-bit/ 44.1 to 384kHz, DSD, DVD-R or Hard Drive (PC & Mac Format)
Tascam DA88, 78HR or RA-1000
Sequoia/Samplitude, Pyramix, ProTools 5.0, AES31, Sonic Solutions, Sadie, OpenTL, Wavelab, Logic
Formats mastered
CD (master as verified DPP 2.0 or Audio CD-R
All downloadable/streaming formats
Wrapping it up
We offer graphic design and artwork services for the complete packaging of a CD. We can develop a design concept from scratch with your input and tweak it until it suits your needs, or you can provide us with your graphic material and we will create a layout with these. We will work closely with you and will not be happy until you are.
For design we use the Adobe Design Suite on a large-screen Macintosh connected to a professional optical scanner and proofing printer. Photos are taken with a digital SLR camera and a selection of quality lenses.
Approaching the finish line
The manufacturing process involves CD replication, printing materials, assembling CD units and, if desired, cello-wrapping. Before a master goes into production, it needs to pass a quality check. The same applies to the master for the artwork.
Communicating with a manufacturer often requires an intimate knowledge of the proceedings. We work with a manufacturer that not only offers great rates but is also committed to producing the finest quality.
Nowadays though, CD replication is often not even required. Many formats, including DSD128 and DXD are only available as a download. We can output to any format, from MP3 to high-resolution DSD and beyond!
Friends & Stuff
Replicat
Disc Replication Services
NativeDSD
Source for DSD and DXD productions
Digital Bach Archive Berlin
Large collection of Bach manuscripts online
Hathi Trust Digital Library
Fabulous digital library...even has Marpurg!
Sonodore Microphones
Hi-end microphones and preamps
AAVIMT Technology
The quietest and fastest PCs around
Pyramix
DAWS for SACD and PCM production
Mytek
High resolution DSD/PCM converters
Lipinski
Loudspeakers for mastering and recording
It’s a sound business
Our recordings are renowned for their great open sound and blossoming clarity. We achieve this by using custom-made Sonodore microphones that capture the very essence of a performance and the character of the room that it was recorded in.
Because the acoustic surrounding is such an integral part of a beautiful recording, it is vital to choose the right venue. Not only should it suit the style of the music and make the performer(s) feel comfortable, it also needs to be reasonably quiet. Factors to consider are passing traffic, wildlife (for example birds, cicadas), creaking heaters, humming lights and air-conditioners.
It is worth putting some time into finding an appropriate venue as this will determine the character of the recorded sound. There are unfortunately only a few venues with good pianos in Melbourne, and these tend to be difficult to book due to high demand. It is possible though!
Recording sessions are usually four hours long including setup time. The number of sessions depends on the amount of material that is recorded and how well prepared the performers are. Ideally the musicians would be well rehearsed and preferably have performed the material in a number of concerts before embarking on a recording project. This ensures a smooth recording process, which is rewarding for all involved!
Producing
Editing
Mastering
Artwork
Manufacturing
Various Links
Recording
Services
If desired we provide a complete production service for CDs or high-resolution downloads. This includes recording sessions, post-production, mastering, artwork, editing and/or proofreading of booklet texts, translations, manufacturing and delivery.
We offer these services also separately. For example, sometimes recordings have already been made and need to be edited, or perhaps a recording needs to be ‘cleaned up’ from unwanted noises such as clicks and coughs.
Artwork and graphic design, editing and proofreading, as well as translation services are also available.
St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne
A bit of French acoustic in Australia!
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