analog recording, digital mixdown, cd mastering, 2" 24 track, pro tools 24/mix,

Over 1500 projects mastered. At Trakworx we use world class analog tube equalizers and tube compressors (plus several "secret weapons") to fine-tune and enhance your mixes. We can incorporate 1/2" 2 track tape to add that warm, smooth, classic analog tone. The sound is then captured at 24 bits through Burl Audio B2 Bomber analog to digital converters for superior audio quality. Your songs can be edited, levels are balanced, and high quality digital limiting (no plug-ins) is used to get your music up to industry standards for volume. Highest quality dither is applied to increase resolution, preserving clarity and warmth. Skilled and experienced engineers make sure you get the best possible sound at a fraction of the cost. Masters can be provided on CD-R, DAT and reel to reel. Thanks to the internet and the mail, it is easy send your music to be mastered at Trakworx from anywhere in the world. Feel free to make contact no matter how far away you are.

BE PREPARED FOR MASTERING Here are 4 important things you should know before you come in for mastering:

1. PLEASE WATCH YOUR MIX LEVELS. It is normal and preferable for songs to sound about 1/2 as loud before mastering. It is the job of the mastering engineer to bring the levels up in the best possible way, using the proper equipment. Before mastering, louder is not necessarily better. When audio files are mixed too loud, the sound waves get clipped, causing the highs to sound harsh, and the low's to lose "bounce". This is the most common problem people face when coming for mastering, especially if they mixed their songs in a digital audio workstation like Pro Tools, Digital Performer, Logic, Cubase, Nuendo, Etc. It is best to have a master fader in your mixing session, and watch the master fader's meter. Do not allow the master fader's meter to hit the red at the top. If you look at the waveform of the mixed stereo file, it should not look flat - like a brick. It should look wavy. Please do not put any limiters, maximizers, or mastering plug-ins on the master fader (you will only be tying the hands of your mastering engineer by doing his job before him with - no offense - inferior equipment). Following this advice will result in a better, more professional sounding final product for you and your listeners.

2. FILE TYPES: for best quality bounce or print your mixes as 24 bit wave, aiff, or sd2 files at whatever sample rate you are already using. They can be on CD-R, DVD-R, flash drive, or Mac compatible hard drive. Files can also be uploaded via http://www.yousendit.com or http://www.sendspace.com (send to: justin@trakworx.com ). Audio CDs are OK too, but they are 16 bit, 44.1 kHz, and therefore slightly lesser quality than 24 bit data files. You can bring 1/2" analog tape, 1/4" analog tape, or DAT. Please avoid MP3s or AAC files - the audio quality of MP3s and AACs is inferior (see #3 below).

3. BEWARE of MP3! itunes and many operating systems/media players have a nasty habit of automatically converting every song to AAC or MP3 when you import it, without you even knowing it. Even though you burn it onto an audio CD, it is still an MP3 QUALITY file; the damage has been done and cannot be undone. Any song that has been converted to MP3 or AAC at any point before burning to CD is data-compressed and not the best quality for mastering. This also applies to 2-track beats that are used to record vocals over; they should NEVER be MP3 or AAC.

4. PLEASE BE ORGANIZED. It is much better for the mastering engineer to be focused on enhancing your songs rather than on finding them. Know your song order and titles. If you're bringing audio CDs, it helps to have the songs in order on 1 CD. If you're bringing data files, please have all songs properly labeled and in 1 folder.

Thanks!


	Trakworx offers the sweet sound of analog recording combined with the incredible precision of digital mixdown. A 2" 24 track analog recorder along with first rate microphones, preamps, equalizers, and compressors, capture warm, brilliant sounds. A 700 square foot tracking room with ceilings 20 feet high, and two custom designed isolation booths provide excellent acoustics for getting great tones. Tracks are then mixed using a Pro Tools HD 3 Accel system. A Dangerous 2-BUS analog summing mixer and a Burl B2 Bomber analog to digital converter provide added clarity, smoothness, and depth to your music. This system has extensive editing capabilities and automation of every aspect of your mix. This combined with the ability to save a mix and improve on it later, gives you amazing control over your sound. At Trakworx the entire process is very efficient. When you mix at Trakworx, MASTERING IS INCLUDED!
	Over 1500 projects mastered. At Trakworx we use world class analog tube equalizers and tube compressors (plus several "secret weapons") to fine-tune and enhance your mixes. We can incorporate 1/2" 2 track tape to add that warm, smooth, classic analog tone. The sound is then captured at 24 bits through Burl Audio B2 Bomber analog to digital converters for superior audio quality. Your songs can be edited, levels are balanced, and high quality digital limiting (no plug-ins) is used to get your music up to industry standards for volume. Highest quality dither is applied to increase resolution, preserving clarity and warmth. Skilled and experienced engineers make sure you get the best possible sound at a fraction of the cost. Masters can be provided on CD-R, DAT and reel to reel. Thanks to the internet and the mail, it is easy send your music to be mastered at Trakworx from anywhere in the world. Feel free to make contact no matter how far away you are. BE PREPARED FOR MASTERING Here are 4 important things you should know before you come in for mastering: 1. PLEASE WATCH YOUR MIX LEVELS. It is normal and preferable for songs to sound about 1/2 as loud before mastering. It is the job of the mastering engineer to bring the levels up in the best possible way, using the proper equipment. Before mastering, louder is not necessarily better. When audio files are mixed too loud, the sound waves get clipped, causing the highs to sound harsh, and the low's to lose "bounce". This is the most common problem people face when coming for mastering, especially if they mixed their songs in a digital audio workstation like Pro Tools, Digital Performer, Logic, Cubase, Nuendo, Etc. It is best to have a master fader in your mixing session, and watch the master fader's meter. Do not allow the master fader's meter to hit the red at the top. If you look at the waveform of the mixed stereo file, it should not look flat - like a brick. It should look wavy. Please do not put any limiters, maximizers, or mastering plug-ins on the master fader (you will only be tying the hands of your mastering engineer by doing his job before him with - no offense - inferior equipment). Following this advice will result in a better, more professional sounding final product for you and your listeners. 2. FILE TYPES: for best quality bounce or print your mixes as 24 bit wave, aiff, or sd2 files at whatever sample rate you are already using. They can be on CD-R, DVD-R, flash drive, or Mac compatible hard drive. Files can also be uploaded via http://www.yousendit.com or http://www.sendspace.com (send to: justin@trakworx.com ). Audio CDs are OK too, but they are 16 bit, 44.1 kHz, and therefore slightly lesser quality than 24 bit data files. You can bring 1/2" analog tape, 1/4" analog tape, or DAT. Please avoid MP3s or AAC files - the audio quality of MP3s and AACs is inferior (see #3 below). 3. BEWARE of MP3! itunes and many operating systems/media players have a nasty habit of automatically converting every song to AAC or MP3 when you import it, without you even knowing it. Even though you burn it onto an audio CD, it is still an MP3 QUALITY file; the damage has been done and cannot be undone. Any song that has been converted to MP3 or AAC at any point before burning to CD is data-compressed and not the best quality for mastering. This also applies to 2-track beats that are used to record vocals over; they should NEVER be MP3 or AAC. 4. PLEASE BE ORGANIZED. It is much better for the mastering engineer to be focused on enhancing your songs rather than on finding them. Know your song order and titles. If you're bringing audio CDs, it helps to have the songs in order on 1 CD. If you're bringing data files, please have all songs properly labeled and in 1 folder. Thanks! RATES: RECORDING, MIXING - $50/hr - Includes engineer and studio. Ask about block discounts for large bookings. MASTERING - $30 per song for songs up to 6 minutes in length. $40 per song for songs over 6 minutes in length. $15 per alternate version of a song (instrumentals, vocal only, etc.) if mastered the same day using the same settings. TRAKWORX has REVIEWS! You can use this URL: http://www.yelp.com/biz/9AW3vIJIqg2OIXGBSQB7ZQ#hrid:BYNnHgiEGlAkw4ggB-iaBA/query:trakworx or go to http//:www.yelp.com and search for TRAKWORX near San Francisco, CA.