Stem Mastering
Stem mastering
is a process where the individual audio tracks are grouped into stems. Each stem represents a submix of track elements. For example:
1. First stem is the drum submix
2. Second stem is the bass instruments (bass synths, bass guitars, etc)
3. Third stem is remaining "main" instruments.
4. Fourth stem is the vocal track.
If you have any questions about stem mastering, please contact me.
Sending your files
contact me for a mailing address
Digital Address:
click on http://upload.panicstudios.com and follow the instructions. If you have not recieved your username and password, please contact me.
Please contact me if you have any questions about file formats.
The mastering session
The actual mastering session takes about 4-10 hours depending on the length and complexity of your album (and sometimes longer if much work needs to be done). During the session, I will process, master, and sequence your tracks for approval. Once you are satisfied with the results, I will create a reference CDR for your final approval. Once you approval the actual burned CDR, the final pre-master CD will be created and assured for quality and accuracy.
**
The process is slightly different, depending on whether you are attending the session or not.
Attended sessions
Unfortunately, at this time, attended sessions are by appointment only. If you need to attend, please contact me first. This will hopefully change in the near future.
 
Often times I have pastries from sugar (me and my wife's bakery.) But if not, i always love to make a fine espresso drink, french press, or regular drip coffee (obviously, im a bit of a coffee nut.) However, don't get too distracted, because all corrections and tweaks will be done while you wait so it is important to listen carefully to your session. After you're satisfied with how it sounds, I'll burn a final reference CD for you take home. Once this is 100% approved, we will make the final master CD.
**
The final master CD is burned and checked by my wonderful quality control technician Chad, and as such cannot be made the day of the session. Do not worry, as the final master CDs are created and given to you very quickly.
** Please note: I have studio pets (1, 2), so if you have any cat or dog allergies, take this into consideration.
Unattended session
A high quality version of the entire CD will be uploaded to the web for your approval. After you're satisfied with the corrections, my quality control technician will burn your CDs, check them for accuracy, and mail them to you (or upload the files to the Web). RAR or zip file compression is used for uploads by me. You can decompress RAR files by using one of these free utilities:
Mac OSX: UnRarX
Windows: RarZilla
Revisions
I'm not happy, until you're happy! Corrections and revisions are often free, but,
please note that it is important to be sure all corrections and changes are made before we burn your final CDs. Revisions that are billable are taken on a case by case basis. For example, if you bring a new version of a track we previously mastered that you have re-tracked, remixed, and, in short, changed extensivly, i will charge my regular rate on the new material. Also, do charge for additional references and pre-master CDs for any revisions/modifications made after CDs have been burned.
CD-Text VS CDDB
CD-Text and CDDB are different from each other, and often confused. CD-Text is when track and artist names are written to the CD and displayed on compatible CD players. CD-Text does not display track names on your computer, in iTunes™ or your media playing software. The way for your music to display track titles on computer software is to submit the track data to either Gracenote CDDB or to AMG Allmusic database. Gracenote CDDB is the more commonly used database among music softwares.
Submitting your music to the CDDB and the AMG Allmusic database
Using iTunes™ to submit your music to the Gracenote CDDB: For Mac, For Windows.
Submitting your music to the AMG Allmusic database: Submittion information.
Giving us credit
It's always fun to see your name in print, and believe it or not, I like it too. Please use the following information when referring to us on your CD liner notes.
"Album mastered by John McCaig at panicStudios in Seattle, Washington."
OR Mastering: John McCaig at panicStudios
OR Mastering: John McCaig
Notes:
John McCaig (resist the temptation to put an "r" in McCaig and don't forget the "g" at the end!)
panicStudios (note that only the "S" in Studio is capitalized.)
Please do not refer to us as Panic Mastering.
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