Recording engineers have many mixing techniques to make the best commercial records. Analog mastering is one of the best secrets of high-end mixing engineers today. Considering that most everything is mixed in the digital realm, top producers will do something called analog mastering. This is where the digital signal is changed into an analog version in order to be mastered through original analog processors, though many times it is also recorded to an analog two-track machine to acheive the warmth that original analog tape gives to the sound. It also takes the brittleness away from all digital recordings, and can even out the bottom end giving the bottom frequencies that signature analog sound.

There are pros and cons but the advantages are worth it. Analog CD mastering often does cost a little more than basic all digital mastering, since it takes additional time and there are the costs for the analog tape, but for important projects, it can be the end step in getting the best sound quality for the project. The reason for this is digital recordings can seem harsh to a lot of people because regardless of how loud the sound gets, digital always gives you accurate yet flat reproduction. Analog tape, however, saturates as the volume increases in level, so peaks are smoothed over instead of clipping, which turns into a warm, fat sound as the harmonics are smoothed over. To the listener, this sound is much more pleasing. Furthermore, a hotter input signal will create a exaggerated difference. Since the highs saturate first, this will mean that as the signal increases, the highs naturally smooth out a bit, resulting in a less brittle, nicer sound.

There are different mastering studios around the United States that have the tools to do analog mastering, however, it also necessitates you have a solid professional with the background to get the best end product possible with the tools. I have sampled a few mastering houses and one of top industry is www.stevethomasmastering.com. He is a top analog mastering engineer, yet he also has done 1000s of albums as a mixing engineer as well. In addition, his results is comparable to some of the most expensive mastering houses in the United States. If you already have someone you are working with there’s nothing wrong with that. But, I would really encourage you to check him out. You won’t be disappointed!