The Most Impressive Layback Mastering for Musicians

Analog mastering is one of the best secrets of top producers today. Considering that most everything is mixed in the digital realm, top producers will do something called layback mastering. The digital version is converted back into an analog recording so it can be mastered through analog processors, though many times it is also recorded to an analog two-track machine to get the fatness that original analog tape gives to the project. It also takes the harshness away from purely digital recordings, and can round out the bottom end giving the low frequencies that rich analog sound.

Layback mastering will often cost a bit more than basic all digital mastering, since it takes additional time and there are additional costs for the analog tape, but for serious projects, it can be the end step in getting the top sound quality for the CD. Since digital recordings can feel cold to many people because no matter how loud the sound gets, digital gives you purely digital reproduction. Analog tape, however, saturates as the DB increases in level, so heigh end peaks are rounded instead of clipping, which translates as a warm, rich feel as the harmonics are smoothed over. This is much more nice to listen to. Furthermore, a hotter input signal will result in a exaggerated effect. As the top ranges soften up first, this transilates that as the signal increases, the highs naturally smooth out a bit, creating a less harsh, and much better sound. This is the beauty of the Layback mastering process.

There are several mastering studios around the country that have the tools to do analog mastering, however, it also necessitates you have a solid professional with the track record to get optimal results possible with the equipment. I have tried a few mastering studios and one of incredible sounding is www.stevethomasmastering.com. He is a top layback CD mastering engineer, yet he also has done thousands of albums as a mixing engineer as well. But his results is similar to some of the most pricey mastering studios in the country. If you already have someone you are using that’s fine. But, I would definitely to check him out.

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