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Make sure you read page about my Free Online Edemo.
A set of Master CDs costs $50.
My mastering fee depends on how "loud" you want your CD.
I charge more to master songs/albums louder. I do this because
"loud" CDs sound worse than CDs with a natural or "correct" dynamic
range. The audio signal is manipulated on "loud" CDs in
various ways, which destroys the real, natural audio waveform.
This causes ear fatigue and damage to the ear. You can listen
to "quiet", more dynamic CDs at a louder volume level, for longer
periods, and with less damage to your hearing than you can a "loud"
CD.
My mastering style is an "open" sound. I prefer limiting
over heavy compression. I typically master for "best sound"
and use a series of limiting steps to raise the overall level.
I find this most closely preserves the natural dynamic structure of
a song.
It's actually harder to master a CD with a lower average level
than it is to master a "loud" CD. Making a CD loud "masks" bad
recording, mixing and mastering. It smashes all the sound up
to the ceiling, evening everything out.
For songs/albums with a peak to average level of 10 dB
(K-10) or higher, the mastering fee is $45 per song. Peak to average levels are typically about 10 dB for
commercial, "popular" rock, pop, etc. CDs. Average level
doesn't change that much. Levels are set based
on what the client requests. This is the "LOUD CD" rate.
For songs/albums with a peak to average level of 12 dB
(K-12), the mastering fee is $35 per song. This
"loudness level" is nearly the same, but a little quieter overall
than the "LOUD CD" rate. The peak levels are just as loud as
the "LOUD CD" rate. This is
the "Loud enough" rate.
For songs/albums with a peak to average level of 14 dB
(K-14), the mastering fee requires a quote after doing my
Edemo. This is
arguably the "optimum" mastered level for Audio CD. It's loud
enough so you don't have to reach for the volume knob, and dynamic
peaks are high enough to feel. The peak levels are just as
loud as the "LOUD CD" rate. This is
the "Audiophile" rate.
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