Deluxe Mastering

11/12/2024

I’m always grateful for opportunities to master anybody’s project.

Often I’m asked is there anything or anybody I wouldn’t work for.

My standard answer for years now has been this.

If in my heart of hearts I don’t believe the mixes presented aren’t up to s***f (im not picky by the way), and my client won’t get the value they deserve, then I won’t touch it.

Feedback and constructive input will always be offered.

It’s often solicited anyway as the vast majority of my clients roll their own mixes and are keen to get suggestions that might help their cause and in turn mine.

It’s part of the all-important communication that’s imperative to ensure the optimal result in any given scenario(s).

Sometimes it can take 2 even 3 rounds.

This is time I invest unconditionally and without obligation.

Recently some clients have expressed their displeasure at my decision to not work on their project despite them soliciting for constructive input.

Expect no apologies from me for not taking on your project when ethically it would not serve either of us.

It’s never personal.

All will be reasonably done to assist you directly and / or indirectly.

This may mean referring you to another engineer for more detailed feedback or engineer who can work at your price point.

Nobody gets thrown under the bus.

If other engineers want to take your hard earned because they can make some improvement that’s on them.

We all have a subjective view when it comes to art, but regardless of where you sit on the taste scale there’s a line where we will overwhelmingly agree that something’s not quite right.

I’ll avoid that at all costs even if you’re pi**ed off at me and protest by going elsewhere or by sending me a nasty email.

My piece of mind and reasonably good standing in the puddle of my scene is worth infinitely more than your approval.

Happy Wednesdee Kids.

Image Barry C. Douglas

22/10/2024

In 2005 when I first touted the idea of opening my own studio it was received with mixed feelings ranging from unbridled encouragement to absolute ridicule.

At the time it was considered quite ambitious.

My intention was to make a statement.

A mastering room with a supplementary mix room that would set a benchmark.

This was the beginning of an era where studios were either downsizing or shutting down.

The economic reality of a changing music industry paradigm of smaller budgets and less physical sales forced operators to become more frugal.

Home and smaller project studios became part of new ecosystem that resembled more like a cottage industry.

The increasing availability, accessibility and more importantly affordability of hardware and software made this all the more possible.

In my heart I knew it would be remiss of me not to have a crack at this caper.

During this time I remembered the wise words of my my dear departed mother and I quote " it's better to say sorry i did it than i wish i had".

So I took on her advice by doing things like hiring one of the legends in the acoustics world with very few peers, George Augspurger, using the best quality components and materials I could afford, and paying for the best consultants around at that time.

I also had Harry Williamson provide his lifetime of experience of building rooms as a liason between myself and George Augspurger, laying down the critically vital groundwork that ensured a smoother than anticipated construction process.

All in all I ended spending more on the fit out than the actual real estate itself!!!

I utilised every great idea I saw over many years of seeing dozens if not hundreds of high end facilities around the world through my extensive travels.

Truth be told It was more a case of making sure I didn't do the things that didn't work.

Purchasing a location close to the city was critical with access to good public transport was critical because the consensus of most musicians at that time was they were not prepared to travel more than a 10km radius from the CBD that didn't have the appropriate public transport access.

My last place of doing business was Sing Sing studios in their former Richmond location.

Taking the criteria handed to me I was fortunate enough to acquire a 220 square meter empty warehouse shell in an industrial estate that resembled a ghost town in Brunswick.

The price was right but it needed a ton of work.

It was your classic "renovators delight".

To say it was in a "dodgy" part of town would have been an understatement.

Feeling incredibly blessed to still manage to keep the doors open, because of you the client and others who have spread such goodwill.

Image Dean Hobson from Dean Hobson Photo

16/10/2024

Vale Ollie Olsen.

A National Treasure.

One who will be missed by so many.

An accomplished musician, artist and all round lovely bloke.

I didn't know him as well as many others who are grieving him, but I had the distinct pleasure and honour of hosting him on an early podcast of mine.

Getting him to my studio took a while in negotiating his availability and then making sure we got him to and from the studio comfortably.

Initially I was told it would be unlikely he would give an interview given his health at the time and his choice to be living a low key life.

I don't how or why he agreed to join me, but I was grateful not only that he did, but stayed longer than the 30 minute time limit agreed upon.

He had a great time and was happy to avail himself for almost an hour, telling me what a great experience it was for him as we discussed anything and everything Ollie wanted to talk about.

I will watch this in full later as my way to remember him and pay tribute to the great man

We can all call ourselves fortunate should be ever achieve all he did.

He leaves a great legacy.

My sincerest condolences to his family and those near and dear to him.

The latest edition of the Melbourne UNreal Podcast has landed and it's a ripper, featuring special guest Ian 'Ollie' Olsen from Whirlywirld!Ian boasts a long...

17/06/2024

So today I completed my 61st orbit of the Sun.

I feel privileged to have arrived here in this present moment amazingly in good form physically, emotionally and spiritually.

My previous life choices shouldn't have allowed me to do so.

It's a sad indictment that (depending who you ask), the average lifespan of an artistic / creative is 57. I'm truly blessed to have eclipsed that mark.

Today is not that much different to other days in that I'm feeling immense gratitude for the things that cannot be bought, put in a box and wrapped up in a bow.

The love and devotion of my beautiful wife Connie Gourvelos, wonderful family and friends, general well being, a successful studio that somehow still manages to keep its doors open, and above anything else, the greatest gift of all.........Life itself.

As I age each year a little more disgracefully, I pity those who see each anniversary of their birfday as a curse......a reason to complain about aches and pains.......wrinkles........saggy bits.......double chin......love handles and just not being as sprightly as their previous selves.

Ageing is a privilege that is not bestowed upon everybody.

Losing 2 very close mates (Phil Krokidis & Michael Bradley) within a week of each other in recent years, who were both quite younger than me was a sobering reminder of this truism.

The odds of being here in this realm is 1 in 400,000,000,000,000.

You probably have a better chance of getting hit by lightning twice and then winning the lottery in the same week.

So while things may not be exactly as you'd prefer today, (if you have the presence of mind), I invite you to ponder and celebrate that.........and know you can do something to improve your situation.

I'm acutely aware there are less years ahead of me than I have enjoyed to date.

This makes my remaining time here more than ever my most valuable resource.

Time to stop counting time and making time count.


It's my intention to make the best use of it, by being the best Father, hubby and friend I can be.

This also means continuing to serve the community I love so much, through my mastering studio both as an engineer and a mentor to those open to what's on offer, not to mention speaking to those who want to make positive change(s) in their world.

Time does fly.........make the most of it.

Don't put off the things that excite and inspire you.

Father time will creep up on you like a Ninja.

Oh and don't "grow up"........it's waaaaaay overrated and I refuse to "act my age" ;-)

Happy Tuesdee Kids.

Image Barry C. Douglas

13/06/2024

On a hunch I reached out to somebody today that's not particularly close to me, but reading behind the lines of some of his recent postings I decided to check in on him.

As it turned out I was right.

Something (or as in his case) more than one thing was up.

We're all feeling different feels right now with financial pressure, personal struggles and uncertainty in the world on a grand scale.

Some of us are in it deeper than others.

I have spent my fair share of time in the bottom of the pit.

In light of this situation, I'm extending an invitation to those of you open to considering this.

If / when you have the time and / or mental bandwidth, check in on anybody you feel could use a friendly ear.

If they're not open to it, then respect their wishes and try again with somebody else.

No doubt there will be someone who will be open to your offer and appreciate you holding space for them.

Don't be there to dispense advice not matter how good you think it might be (unless invited to).

Just listen.

Don't underestimate the power that simple act can have.

Happy Thursdee Kids.

Image Barry C. Douglas

12/06/2024

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎

Scott Bertram

11/06/2024

One question that I get asked often and comes up from time to time on various mixing / production / mastering forums is on automated mastering services and what people think of them.

It's a hot topic with a wide spectrum of opinions. For some it's the death knell of mastering as we know it and for others it's the answer to their prayers.

Personally I never had an issue with them. In fact I have to give props to whomever had the foresight to create such a service. It's evident there is a demand for it given how much they have grown.

They have their right to exist in the mastering ecosystem.

Like with anything there will be pros and cons depending on what you're needs are and on what you place value on.

Everybody has a different perception of value.

Rather than complain about it, I feel those who are vocal would be better served looking at finding ways to highlight their point of difference, so as to better serve prospective clients.

If you don't compete at the price range they offer services for it's unlikely you will get their business anyway, so whatever you say will fall on deaf ears making your displeasure a moot point.

I don't have a crystal ball but for now this my forecast as to how things might play out. In the same way fast food outlets haven't completely destroyed fine dining establishments, I doubt automated services will be driving human mastering into extinction for the foreseeable future.

Automated mastering is here to stay. The genie is out of the bottle. Any negativity expressed for the sake of it only negates what good can be offered.

My preference is to continue on finding ways to bring value to that niche market I serve, who understand what it is I bring to the table.

Being upset at anybody deciding to use an on-line service is like a chef being outraged at me for having the temerity to scramble my own eggs.

This post is not an endorsement of automated mastering but I certainly am not an opponent. I just want to get on with it.

If you have made it this far thank you for reading.

Image Barry C. Douglas