Vintage Digital

Mastering

Mastering gear refers to the equipment and tools used in the audio mastering process, which involves preparing a final mix for distribution by enhancing its overall sound quality and ensuring it meets certain technical standards. Mastering gear can include hardware processors such as equalizers, compressors, limiters, and analog-to-digital converters, as well as software plugins that simulate the effects of these tools.

The gear is used to adjust the tonal balance, dynamic range, stereo image, and other aspects of the mix to achieve a polished and cohesive final product. Effective use of mastering gear requires a thorough understanding of both the equipment and the mastering process itself. An experienced mastering engineer will be able to use their gear to make subtle adjustments that enhance the mix without introducing unwanted artifacts or compromising the integrity of the original recording.

The Fairchild 670 Tube Limiter was the brainchild of Estonian immigrant to the USA, Rein Narma. Rein licensed the design to Sherman Fairchild and the rest as they say, is history…a legend was born.
There are few modern classics in the world of professional studio effects hardware, but the Manley Stereo Variable MU limiter compressor is most definitely one such processor. An all tube limiter built in the great tradition of the Fairchild 660, the Manley Stereo Variable MU has been a cherished part of many studios for decades.
The Maselec MEA-2 is a stereo or 2-channel, four-band precision analogue equalizer with stepped Q/shelf, frequency and cut/boost controls on each band. It is designed for recording and mastering applications where ultimate sonic performance, musicality and precision are required.
The Maselec MLA-2 is a stereo or 2-channel compressor with stepped drive (input gain), ratio, attack and release time and output gain controls. For optimum transparency and freedom from noise the MLA-2 employs a non-VCA design.
Shadow Hills Industries (to use their full name) is a company that produces and sells one of the finest compressors ever made, a true modern classic by any standard. The fact anyone knows about the Shadow Hills brand at all is amazing, given that their website is so out of date and inaccessible to most people, but despite that, this compressor has become legendary.
The Cartec Audio THC (Tone Harmonic Compressor) is a two-channel hybrid compressor that employs eight tubes and four discrete amplifiers to achieve a unique level of control over dynamic range, harmonic distortion content, and tonal balance.
As a mastering compressor, the SPL IRON is inspired by the legendary vintage tube compressors à la Fairchild, Collins or Gates and has been developed in a way to give modern productions more energy and power with the advantages of the 120V technology.
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