The Soundmasters - London UK - Providing the highest quality sound mastering for CD, DVD and Vinyl

The Mastering Studio

The analogue console that is central to the studio was designed and built by Leif Masses of Masses Electronics. Leif has produced a desk that is unique in its versatility to process both 6 channel programme for 5.1 DVD or SACD (DSD) and stereo for CD and vinyl.

The Maselec system utilises high quality relay signal routing with direct XLR connection, this removes the need for analogue patching & greatly reduces the length of the signal path. Outboard processing is therefore only in circuit when selected. Three Maselec master MTC-2, 2 channel controllers provide 6 discreet channels with stepped individual control of input/output gain, high and low pass filters, elliptical E.Q., stereo width adjust and output faders. Monitoring and metering at any stage of the mastering chain can be achieved using the Maselec MC-2 monitoring controller and at the touch of a button it can be switched to 6 channel monitoring and metering.

The studio and console installation involved the use of techniques usually only employed by the high end hi-fi industry & included the use of LAT IC 200 Hi-definition silver audio cable in all crucial signal paths. The studio also benefited from a "Star point" balanced mains installation, again using silver cabling with "Buss bar" distribution.

Both the Mastering Studio and Edit Suite are driven by the next-generation digital audio workstation SonicStudio HD. Built on the HDSP array processing architecture and incorporating advanced HDSP and RISC technology, this highly evolved, user-driven editing platform offers the highest fidelity audio processing available, featuring support for multi-channel sampling rates up to 192kHz and surround sound mixing. The Soundmasters choice of dual HDSP processors add dedicated hardware DSP to the systems, allowing for additional instances of real-time processing and background processes such as Sample Rate Conversion and the Emmy-award winning NoNOISE feature. An all-48-bit data path throughout the system preserves the signal quality from initial recording to final output, offering unparalleled sonic fidelity in editing and processing.

Editing
  •   Power Mac G4 - Mac os 9.2
  •   Sonic Studio HD / Version 1.8.2
  •   Sony 3000

Monitoring
  •   PMC BB5's
  •   Nearfield and Surround Yamaha NS10
  •   Bryston Amps
  •   Bryston Surround 5.1 Amp
  •   Bryston Crossovers
  •   Bryston Nearfield Amp
  •   Maselec MTC1 Surround/Stereo monitoring control centre

Equalisation
  •   2 x Prism Maselec MEA-2
  •   GML 9500
  •   GML 8200
  •   Summit Audio
  •   2 x Neumann OE DUO
  •   Dolby Spectral Processor

Compression and Limiting
  •   Fairman valve
  •   2 x Neumann U473SP
  •   2 x Maselec Limiters MPL-2
  •   Junger Accent 1 DOI

Source and Destination Machines
  •   Sony 7010 DAT Player
  •   Sony 7040 DAT
  •   Ampex ATR100 with Varispeed/Dolby 363SR/A noise reduction
  •   Sony CDP D500 CD Player
  •   HHB CDR
  •   Sony 1630 Processor
  •   Sony DTA 2000 Analyser
  •   Sony DMR2000 / 4000 Umatic player/recorder

Converters
  •   dcs 904 24 BIT / 192 KHz DSD A to D
  •   dcs 955 24 BIT / 192 KHz DSD DAC
  •   dcs 950 D to A

Vinyl Cutting
  •   Customised Neumann VMS 82 Lacquer Lathe
  •   SSX 74 Cutter Head

Telephone +44 (0)20 7565 3020 or email for booking enquiries and further information