Favorite mastering engineers?
Feb 15, 2004 at 9:23 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 33
markl

markl

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If you're a geek like me (and you must be or you wouldn't be here at Head-Fi reading this
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), one of the very first things you do when buy a new CD is scan the credits to look to see who mastered it. Whose name do you see, and just sigh and relax because you know you're in for a treat; or at least, you can rest assured this sounds just about as good as it can, whatever the circumstances/state of the recording itself?

If you're feeling naughty, whose name do you see and shudder and get that sinking feeling?
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Feb 15, 2004 at 11:25 PM Post #4 of 33
davei,
You should check out: http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/

Steve Hoffman is a famous mastering engineer, his forums have just as many (maybe more) members than Head-Fi who participate just as much. Given the variable quality of most masterings, there are obviously very active "fan clubs" for engineers who get it right, of which Steve is one. people really appreciate that.

Mark
 
Feb 16, 2004 at 6:10 AM Post #7 of 33
Rudy Van Gelder. The man, the myth, the legend. Decade after decade of recording the best jazz ever laid down. Witness and preserver of legendary performances. And he's still around to remaster his original recordings from the 1940s to the present. He's recorded for numerous labels, but I know him mostly from Blue Note.

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Feb 16, 2004 at 6:18 AM Post #8 of 33
I don't know what he has recorded, so I can't say he is a favorite of mine. In that sense I have no favorites. But if I am asked about a recording engineer, the only name that comes to my mind is Bob Katz. I once read something he wrote about what it takes to be a good recording engineer, something like that, I liked it a lot. Recently noticed in Amazon, he now has a book which I think I'd like to read:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books
 
Feb 16, 2004 at 7:38 AM Post #9 of 33
mark-obert thorn for NAXOS, amongst others.

anyone can record a session properly, but IMO it takes a different (and greater) sort of genius to make 78rpms sound good when transferred to cd.
 
Feb 16, 2004 at 8:04 AM Post #10 of 33
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original by rsaavedr

I don't know what he has recorded, so I can't say he is a favorite of mine. In that sense I have no favorites. But if I am asked about a recording engineer, the only name that comes to my mind is Bob Katz. I once read something he wrote about what it takes to be a good recording engineer, something like that, I liked it a lot.

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Oh yes, Bob Katz. Rsaavedr, he is good, check out some of his work on the Chesky Records label.


Happy listening,
W
 
Feb 16, 2004 at 9:38 AM Post #11 of 33
The legendary Alan Parsons of Abbey Road Studios for EMI.

Another vote here for Bob Ludwig. His Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry remasters are really fantastic.
 
Feb 16, 2004 at 3:24 PM Post #12 of 33
Yet another vote for Bob Ludwig, he actually made Nirvana sound good. That's a miracle & a half, it still sounds raw & gritty the way it should but at the same time there's so much detail & depth to it. For pure quality I still don't have anything that surpasses his mastering work on Tori Amos' "Boys for Pele" album.
 
Feb 16, 2004 at 4:52 PM Post #14 of 33
Quote:

Originally posted by Wilson
Oh yes, Bob Katz. Rsaavedr, he is good, check out some of his work on the Chesky Records label.


Did he make Rebecca Pidgeon's "The Raven"? I have that CD but not with me right now, am at work. Haven't checked who is the recording engineer. It is allegedly one of the best recordings of the Chesky label.
 
Feb 16, 2004 at 9:35 PM Post #15 of 33
On Rebecca Pidgeon's "The Raven": Bob Katz, it is.
I agree with the higher recording quality of this work
above other Chesky recordings. Thank you Bob!
 
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