This page will briefly describe the steps that should be taken for properly preparing your project for our mastering services.

Recording Lair accepts 16 or 24 bit digital audio tapes (DAT), CDRs, Wav files, and 16 or 20 bit adat tapes (or 24 bit adat tapes bit split). (Almost any type of media is accepted, but additional fees will apply.)

1. Buy a high quality new tape. Apogee, BASF, HHB, & TDK are some of our favorites. (Remember if you are using 24 bit DAT tape your tape time is only ½ the marked time on the package.)
2. Fast-forward the tape all the way to the end and then re-wind it back to the beginning before you use it. (This tensions up the tape and can prevent many digital errors)
3. Set your machine for 44.1 k sampling rate. CDs are at 44.1 k and thus by recording at 44.1 k we will not have to do a sample rate conversion or D/A and A/D conversion.
   NOTE: If you are mixing from a media that is at 48k (such as an adat) and are using a digital console straight to DAT please record at 48 k and let us handle the conversion.
   If different songs are at different sampling rates please try to put all 44.1 k sampled songs on a separate DAT from the 48 k sample rate recordings.
4. Record one minute of silence. When tape is cut at the factory it will often stretch around the cut and thus the tape at the very beginning and very end of the tape is not as high quality as the tape in the middle. One minute of silent recording will bypass the inferior quality section of the tape.
5. As you record make sure you are recording absolute time code (minutes and seconds). If the DAT player is telling you how long your recording is on tape then you are doing this successful. Absolute time code is not a necessity, however it can simplify work in the mastering process.
6. Record a PNO marker at the beginning of each song. This helps us to skip around easily to the next song or next take.
7. Record your music at a peak level (highest point of a song) of -2 db. As the levels approach 0 db the resolution of the recording improves.

We suggest -2 db because it is very close to 0 db, yet still has headroom.

1. Do not compress the stereo mix. If you do want to send us a compressed mix, then send two versions, one with compression and one without compression.
2. If you are unsure if a mix level is correct (example: level of the vocal) send us two versions - one with the level up and one with it down.
3. If you have any questions on mixing then please give us a call at 1.888.881.5247.

1. When using DAT, every song should be listed separately with its PNO marker number (starting and ending time information is also appreciated).
2. When using adat tape, mark the time and which two tracks are the tracks to be mastered.
3. When there are 2 separate takes of a song, mark clearly if we are supposed to choose the better of the two - or if there is a specific mix you want us to use.
4. Mark if you recorded at 44.1 k sampling rate or 48k sampling rate.
5. Include project name on your tape and tape case.
6. If your project is being mailed to us please fill out our MASTER TAPE LOG and send it along with your project.

If you are going after a certain sound, send us a CD of that type of sound. If there is something in the mix you wish was a little different (and there is no way to re-mix) let us know and we will try to fix that problem for you.

Do No Expect Mastering to Save a Mix! Mastering will improve how an album sounds, but do not count on mastering to turn a bad mix into a great mix. There is some secret black magic voodoo we can do to help slight problems in a mix (and some not so slight), but keep in mind mastering is a polishing stage.

If you have any questions please call us at (888) 881-LAIR (5247)

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