SERVING WORLDWIDE
from Hampton Falls New Hampshire USA
603.944.6710

BRIAN JAMES
OWNER and ENGINEER

AUDIO MASTERING, RESTORATION, PRESERVATION and PRODUCTION

CONTACT @ CARDINALMASTERING.COM

SAMPLES OF RECENT WORK

Each of the following samples contain an excerpt  from recent projects. The first portion of each sample is the completed master followed by a portion as it was provided, pre-mastering - they then alternate between the two. All sections are as volume matched as possible (they can never be perfectly matched because of differences in the inner dynamics). Though I've found it common on other sites, it would be pointless (and deceiving) to provide samples where volume is not matched - even the slightest bump in volume causes us to perceive an increased clarity in audio. I'm presenting these in the same way I work on them, with as little change in volume as possible between before & after . . . of course, in the end the volume is brought up significantly via limiting or whatever process best suits the material. The differences between an un-mastered track and a finished master are often subtle - it is only when the samples are gain matched that this becomes evident - though mastered tracks will have more depth, more clarity and more of a solid delivery overall they can also be more contained tonally, allowing for the best translation across many systems. Contrary to popular belief, mastering is not usually a process that changes the material drastically!

Better Futures | Photo Caption

C. Schell | Quite Something (remastered)

Indie Rock (2018)

Acoustic Folk | Singer Songwriter (2005)

Holden Brown | Hell On Wheels (demo)

Paper Monsters | Somewhere I Belong

70's Rock, Show & Soul (2019)

Alternative Rock / Live (2018)

Tom Calderone | Backroads Again

The Skanx | The Worst Thing

Solo Acoustic / Fingerstyle Guitar (2018) (Additional Production)

Punk Pop | From The Film 'Earworm' (2016)