Mastering Question

I produce musical themes for podcasters - should I be delivering them 'mastered' versions of my work, or just my typical -6db-ish mixes? These guys and gals are generally amateur DIY'ers that would be bringing all elements (dialogue, music, fx, etc) together themselves before sending it off to a file host. Not sure in most cases how they are arriving at the finish line from a technical perspective.

I say, tell them you offer mastered versions if they wish. Some will appreciate and pay for the work being done for them. Otherwise, continue rockin' with the usual. The choice always remains with the client, but I have yet to meet one who doesn't like to make informed decisions.

Got it, kind of what I thought. Silly question - if I send a mastered version to them and they bring it into their session with their dialogue and bounce that down with a limiter on the mix bus, is anything working against them in the end? Is a mastered track within a mastered track a bad thing?

Is a mastered track within a mastered track a bad thing?

 

The idea of mastering is that the song won't be compressed or limited again.

But when it comes to broadcasting, it's out of your control. They add or take away whatever they want or need.

Thats what I always thought. New to working with broadcast stuff though.

Is a mastered track within a mastered track a bad thing?

 

The idea of mastering is that the song won't be compressed or limited again.

But when it comes to broadcasting, it's out of your control. They add or take away whatever they want or need.

 

That becomes the problem.

 

You can always learn what they do in their finalising processes and take steps to accomodate that. Or you can work "with them" in the sense by offering them tips how to improve the final product in conjunction with whatever you provide them.

 

Though, not everyone is willing to have a discussion.