What is Audio CD mastering (or pre-mastering) & do I need it?
Audio CD mastering in it’s most basic form is the step in manufacturing following mixdown where this master is loaded into a digital workstation and a final master “Red Book compatible” CDR is created including proper P&Q codes and a time/frame accurate log. More advanced mastering can be a very complex process involving additional compression/ limiting (for louder CDs), noise reduction, EQing, reverb and/or stereo enhancement as well as very sophisticated editing. Summit Sound offers all of these services at competitive rates. If you can provide Summit Sound a professionally formatted “Red Book” compatible CDR including P&Q codes and a time/frame accurate log, (and you are fully satisfied with the present sound of your master) you may not need additional mastering services. It has been our experience that most masters benefit from post production “mastering” services.
