MASTERING SERVICES
LAcquer
AA Mastering is now cutting lacquer masters using a fully-restored Neumann VMS-66 Cutting lathe with a SX74 Cutterhead.
MFIT
We use tools supplied by Apple
for mastering engineers to optimize your music for great sounding
iTunes playback.
DIGITAL
Mastered for CD production and supplied as either PMCD of DDPi files on a CD master used for duplication with an audio CD for reference.
RATES
MASTER LAcquers
12" / $175.00 per side
10" / $150 per side
7" / $75 per side
REFERENCE ACETATES
12" / $100.00 per side
10" / $100 per side
7" / $50 per side
MFIT
$100 per track
$75 per DDP file
$25 per mp3
DIGITAL/CD
$100 per track
$75 per PMCD file
$25 per CD ref
EQUIPMENT
CONSOLE
Maselec MTC-2 Console
Maselec MTC-6 Monitor
SPEAKERS
Duntech Sovereign Reference
CONVERTERS
PM Model 2 HDCD Stereo 24 bit A/D
Prism D/A 2 Stereo 24 bit D/A
Weiss AIF1 Fiirewire Interface
Sequoia v.12 DAW
Ampex ATR102 Reel ½” – ¼”
Neumann VMS-66 Lathe
Sony APR-5003v Reel ½” – ¼”
Sony PCM-3202 D.A.S.H.
Sony MDS-501 Mini Disk
Sony SCD-777es CD
Sony DTC-A8es DAT
Sony TC-909es Cassette
Plextor Premium CDR
RECORDERS
SSL Logic FX G 384 Stereo Compressor
Tube Tech CL1A Stereo Compressor
Sontec MES 432c9 Stereo EQ
API 550m Stereo EQ
Weiss EQ1 mk2 Stereo EQ
Weiss DS1 mk3 Comp/Lim/DS
Waves 670 Digital Comp/Lim
Dolby 363 Noise Reduction
Mytec DDD-603 Peak meter
LeaderLBO 552BH Stereoscope
OUTBOARD
STUDIO
PROJECTS
FAQ'S & GUIDELINES
Do I pay for shipping of lacquers?
Master Lacquers ship via FedEx overnight to your pressing plant of choice in a
purpose built container. There is a flat $50.00 fee
What file type’s do you accept?
Please provide the highest quality versions of your stereo mixes. WAV or AIFF files
at 24 bits are preferred. Audio CDs will work too. No MP3s. Any sample rate up to 192kHz is acceptable.
Are MFIT and CD mastering the same thing?
NO. Mastering for CD is optimizing for 44.1/16bit audio standard. When submitting Projects headed to the MFIT apple store, we submit to your aggregator or distributor full 24bit versions that pass the apple codec with no “overs”.
How long does it take to make a record?
Our part cutting master Lacquers will be done in 3 – 5 days. As far as the whole
process goes you first need to approve a test pressing before full production begins
Average turn around time at pressing plants these days is in the 60 – 90 day range. Please be patient!
Can I attend a mastering session?
Unfortunately, at the present time no.
How long can a vinyl record be?
This is no easy answer as it’s completely program dependent. Longer sides equal lower Level cuts. More bass and stereo information also eat up groove space.
VINYL TIMING GUIDELINES
33.3 RPM
45 RPM
12” LP
12:00-16:00best
16:00-20:00good
Above 22:00fair
10”
7:00-9:00best
9:00-12:00good
12:00-15:00fair
7”
0:00-7:00 min.
The shorter the better.
12” Single
6:00-9:00best
8:00-10:00good
12” LP
10:00-12:00great
12:00-15:00good
above 15:00fair
10”
6:00-8:00best
8:00-10:00good
above 11:00fair
7”
0:00-5:00 min.
The shorter the better.
ABOUT AAM...
Alex Abrash Mastering is a full service audio mastering studio specializing in the restoration of archival master tapes. We bring 30 years of experience and an insane love of music to the mix. We are a small company promising huge results.
Recently we were pleased to be able to work with the Codigo group updating their historical FANIA catalog. The massive collection covered a lot of ground from mono to early stereo and on to multi-track recording. The result of this collaboration has been to give new life and new revenue to exciting music that might have been lost to time. Based on the reviews from critics and music lovers, the results of this challenge has
been a success.
Our background is as eclectic as the music. For more than a decade, Alex Abrash was the Studio Manager for the NOHO-based Kampo Cultural Center which became home
to David Byrne, Arto Lindsay, They Might Be Giants, and the B-52s and many others.
Early in the decade we went out on our own, expanding to the full spectrum of musical genre. With Barclay Crocker it was classical collections from legendary labels Deutches Grammophon, Vanguard, Mercury, and Argo. We worked with the late music impresario Clement “Coxsone” Dodd at his historic Studio One in Kingston Jamaica, where we secured audio of early 60s reels masters of Bob Marley and the Wailers. More recently
we embarked a project to restore a collection from the 70’s funk label STRATA Records of Detroit, the mid-seventies imprint being reissued by 180 Proof Records.
Let’s bring the past to the future. Alex Abrash Mastering is an affordable opportunity to rescue those unreleased assets that are just sitting on a shelf doing nothing. Not only can they make you money, but they can win whole new generations of fans.
Don’t let the music die!
TERMS & CONDITIONS
PAYMENT:
A 50% deposit is required upon placement of your order. Balance due prior to release of finished goods. Otherwise a valid purchase order is acceptable.
DELIVERY:
Every attempt will be made to meet your production schedule, however we cannot guarantee an exact pick up or shipping date nor do we assume any liability should we not meet an anticipated delivery date.
MERCHANDISE RETURNS:
Any and all claims made for defective merchandise must be made within 48 hours of pickup or shipping date.
WARRANTY:
AA MASTERING INC. warranty is limited at our option, to remastering or refund of monies paid for services rendered. We are not responsible for any consequential costs or damages incurred, including shipping charges.
MATERIALS:
AA MASTERING INC. is not, and will not be responsible for materials such as TAPE, DATs, CDRs, HDs ect. left at our facility over 30 days.
REVISIONS:
AA MASTERING INC. warranty is limited at our option, to remastering or refund of monies paid for services rendered. We are not responsible for any consequential costs or damages incurred, including shipping charges.
ALTERNATE MIXES:
AA MASTERING INC. warranty is limited at our option, to remastering or refund of monies paid for services rendered. We are not responsible for any consequential costs or damages incurred, including shipping charges.