ABOUT

Progressive Mastering specializes in the professional audio mastering of hard rock, progressive rock, jazz fusion, instrumental music and related musical genres. We understand the artist's desire to present a great complex performance as clearly and accurately as possible, every minute nuance revealed. Premium fidelity is paramount.

Gear / Signal path
We have spent the last ten years rigorously testing and comparing only the very best high-end professional audio equipment, building up what we feel is the ultimate arsenal of gear to best compliment the musical styles we specialize in. All equipment used is of the very highest quality.

Less is more
Mastering is not about how much processing can be added to a mix, but is about getting the audio to sound the best it possibly can. Every project receives unique specialized treatment as needed. Sometimes a good deal of processing may be used, sometimes hardly any. We place maximum importance on preserving the integrity of the source, keeping the signal path as short and pristine as possible.

Analog and digital
Both analog and digital tools are used at Progressive Mastering. Gear is chosen solely based on the needs of the audio. However, per our preference, the majority of processing, if not all, is often done using high-end analog equipment.

Color
"Warmth", "fatness", and "loudness" are terms that describe types of audio distortion. Such distortion comes at the price of reducing other important audio characteristics such as clarity, detail, dimension and dynamics. Improper implementation of distortion can blur and ultimately hinder a complex performance.

We appreciate the effects of favorable distortion in cases where it may enhance a given production, but we are just as focused on preserving the accuracy of a performance. The end goal is to achieve the ultimate balance of all the traits that make a truly great recorded performance / artistic production all it can possibly be.

Loudness and Dynamics
Wide dynamic range is responsible for "depth" and "punch", it's what makes music come alive. "Loudness" is achieved by effectively reducing or erasing all dynamic range. Doing so achieves a higher average level and thus greater perceived "loudness", but reduces "depth" and "punch" and harms fidelity.

In addition, severe reduction or elimination of dynamic range often leaves behind very unpleasant artifacts / digital distortion, sounds of clicking, popping and crackling. Such artifacts / distortion are sometimes not readily detectible, but can cause audio to be fatiguing to the ear and ultimately unpleasant to listen to.

We feel that severe reduction of dynamics, and the often resulting unpleasant digital distortion, is totally unacceptable. Before any master can pass our demanding scrutiny, it must be completely void of even the most subtle degree of unpleasant artifacts / distortion.

For those who insist on maximum "loudness", we employ unique methods via a custom analog path, we will never clip digital converters or abuse digital limiters under any circumstances.

All grades of fidelity accepted
Progressive Mastering is equipped to preserve and/or enhance sources of the highest fidelity. It gives us no greater pleasure than to take stellar audio to an even higher place.

We are also equipped to salvage mixes with very poor fidelity. In such cases, we will recommend that you remix or re-record before we commence with surgical mastering. If it is decided to re-record or remix, we recommend that you inquire about our partner facility, Magic Elf Studios, for professional recording and mixing services.

Free mix assessment
While mastering is a critical step in the production of audio, mastering cannot always repair the effects of poor recording / mixing. If you choose to have Progressive Mastering master your audio, we recommend that you contact us before you are finished mixing. We will be glad to assess your mixes before you complete them so that potential mix issues can be fixed in advance. This will make for a superior end product.