Deluxe Mastering

27/09/2025

To all my friends who have followed my journey through the music industry I'd like to take a few minutes of your time to let you know of the big change in my life.
Many of you would already know my involvement in a number of facets of the music industry for the past 40 years. Thirty-five years as a freelance mastering engineer of which 19 have been spent at my "dream facility" Deluxe Mastering located at U4/29 Tinning St, Brunswick.
Working with some incredible musicians and artists in Melbourne and around the world it has been a privilege to provide what many consider a world class mastering service.
The Deluxe Mastering studio is more than a multi roomed facility. With international standards in acoustics, we set the benchmark for mixing and mastering, coupled with a high level of service.
I am proud to say our studio also became a hub that nurtured our community, while mentoring many young up and coming mixing and mastering engineers. Many have since continued onto bigger and better things, I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved here.
But now it's time to move on and have decided to sell the whole premises. I look forward with positive anticipation towards my next chapter in Life.
Please find below the link providing all the details pertaining to the Sale of Jack The Bear’s Deluxe Mastering studio in Brunswick.
I’d appreciate anybody sharing this link and tagging anyone you think might be interested in this opportunity.

[Warehouse, Factory & Industrial] 4 29 Tinning Street, Brunswick, VIC 3056. Unique space for creatives . View this property on realcommercial.com.au

07/07/2025

I absolutely loathe to ask for favours…..BUT a mentor of mine said I should solicit people to add Google reviews. So should you feel so inclined and have been genuinely happy with my service I’d appreciate some love there at the link below ⬇️

05/06/2025

So, what goes on in my mental health support group?

In a nutshell it’s a gathering where we talk about what’s going on for us and provide support to each other by sharing our experiences.

The focus is on looking towards solutions that are easily to implement.

I share my own story as to how I navigated through got to the other side of a deep depression and chronic anxiety.

I talk about conquering my lifelong addiction to co***ne in particular and various other substances.

It’s free to join us.

There is no judgement here.

Just a safe and relaxed environment that doesn’t promise miracles, but you will leave you feeling better about yourself.

Expect to leave with some strategies to assist you on your journey.

Mental health and addiction has an over representation in the music / arts sector.

Im passionate about serving my community (albeit in a small and humble fashion).

I am not funded.

I seek no sponsors.

If anything your support, by attending and participating.

All great things happen at a grass roots level.

If youd like to attend please book by sending me a PM.

Its happening at

Deluxe Mastering

Wednesdee 18th June

7.30pm til 9.30pm

Limited to 8 people

Hope to see you there.

Happy Thursdee

Image Barry C. Douglas

🙏❤️💪✊👊

🙏❤️💪✊👊

03/06/2025

I’m astounded that I STILL get to serve musicians and artists locally and from all corners of the planet.

I’ve beared witness to a lot of changes in how my industry operates and much disruption.

I’m incredibly grateful for and to those who still utilise my services and / or refer others to me.

It’s never ever taken for granted.

Know im acutely aware of what it takes for each of you need to do, in order to help me keep my lights on and water running.

Running a commercial facility is not an easy task and it won’t be getting any easier.

My hope is to keep serving this community, not just by optimising the sound of their rekkids, but to use this space for other initiatives around the mental healrh space.

So having said that I’m announcing that I’m hosting a mental health support group to be held at Deluxe Mastering Wednesdee 18th June from 7.30pm til 9.30pm.

First in best dressed and as per usual there’s no cost to attend.

It won’t “fix” things, but it might help being around a group of like-minded souls who are empathetic and part of a hive mind to find strategies to help.

We want you to leave feeling better than how you felt coming in, but more importantly be better equipped to help you deal with whatever it is you’re experiencing.

This is a safe place of no judgment that is focused on providing you whatever it may be that’ll assist you on your journey.

PM me if you’re keen.

I’d appreciate you sharing this with anyone who might be interested to attend.

Thank you again everyone.

Happy Tuesdee.

🙏❤️💪✊👊

29/04/2025

Customer service.

I pride myself on it.

It was the foundation of my early learnings into the mastering world……even before I got to touch any gear.

Every project starts with an enquiry either by email or phone.

My preference is for using the phone.

I know and appreciate how the younger cats in particular prefer texting.

Allow me to explain the method to my madness.

For me the phone allows for several things that are advantageous.

First off the ability to be able to ask further questions to establish clarity and context from your potential client along with an immediate response.

So much more can be achieved in a more efficient fashion this way.

I get more done in a quick friendly 5 minute chat than an endless thread of emails that could stretch for days.

It’s definitely more personable as well.

I understand there’s something to be said in having a paper trail to be able to refer back on to eliminate any potential “he said she said” disputes.

As an audio professional you’re being hired for your skill that fits into a certain budget, but never forget you’re a service provider first and foremost.

Others may have slightly (or dare I say) opposite points of view and that’s fine.

I’m not here to debate you.

Simply sharing what has worked for me and inviting you to try using the phone (in conjunction with email / txt) as a way to lift your customer service game.

In a world where more and more professionals have the same gear and level of skill, quite often it will be the “love” you provide in the most personable fashion that *might* give you the edge.

Happy Tuesdee Kids

Image Barry C. Douglas

❤️🙏

12/04/2025

April 13.

Today marks the nineteenth anniversary of two very significant events in my life to date.

Firstly realising the dream and opening the doors of my own facility Deluxe Mastering & secondly the passing of my Dear Departed Mother, Helen.

It was as also the first session I did, with Jase Catherine doing his Jase Connection Vol 1, literally hours after my Mum transitioned (at her insistence).

Mum was my biggest fan, who always told me to go for my ambitions as far back as I could remember. She had no clue as to what I was doing, but knew it made me happy. And that was enough for her.

The ride thus far has had incredible highs and some horrendously low points too. At one stage (not long after my divorce in 2012), we were 10 days away from shutting the doors permanently.

Needless to say I’m absolutely delighted to say we are still going and while others maybe downsizing, or sadly shutting down, we have managed to survive c@vid and the most uncertain of economic times.

No guts no glory.

People say why do should I bother at nearly 62 when I should planning towards slowing down.

I say f**k that!!

I’m fuelled on passion and inspiration to continue on and serve my community for as long as I have fire in my belly and relevance of any kind.

At this juncture I would like to thank you. The clients who have and continue to support me and the continuing vision to use this space not just to master music, but to serve my community of artistic / creatives develop as people and professionals, through my mentoring and mastering workshops.

It's not just people who drop money into your cash register who help you build a business, but those who simply spread goodwill through positive word-of-mouth......the ultimate in social media. Thank you for your kindness. As the saying goes "everybody loves to buy but nobody likes being sold to".

The best built rooms, gear and decor mean nothing unless you have the personnel and culture to bring life into your establishment.

Sincerest thanks to everybody who has contributed along the way. It's been people like Adam Dempsey that today still help allow this dream of mine to still have a healthy pulse.

You won’t find anyone as loyal to be by tiur side who operates at the highest integrity

Previous people like Kris Beats Andrei Eremin, Simon Lam, Becki Whitton, Darren Cordeux & Byron Scullin know that I will always appreciate all you have done here during your time here. While you all may have moved on for your own reasons, know I wish nothing but got your continued success.

Despite the fact you have moved on, my heart and door always remain open.

I have said (and will continue to), nobody ever really leaves.

So today I will observe this 16th bittersweet anniversary doing what I do best.

Mastering an album and doing it with humility, feeling sincere gratitude for what I have today.

Here's to many more years and beyond of having fun facilitating clients to realise their visions and serving this community, to whom I owe so much.

I love you crazy Kids.

Dreams do come true.

For those who are still reading this thank you

Happy Sundee

Image Barry C. Douglas

🙏❤️💪✊👊

04/04/2025

As fsr as im concerned, one of the most important roles of a mastering engineer is to communicate with their client to establish what their requirements are.

Often people will defer to said engineer and while that’s fine, it’s important to engage the client and help demystify the process.

Wherever possible it’s advantageous to have a client present with you.

I accept some engineers like to be left alone, so they can be more productive and potentially charge less given they are able to spend less time.

Personally I don’t go on the clock and whether the session is attended or not, it’s the same rate.

I do project to project as there’s always variables.

But having the client present and engaged from the initial enquire to final delivery shows you’re invested in them.

There’s something additionally satisfactory in the “hang time”.

It’s not just about mastering vital as it is, but anout the actual experience for the client, even if that means assisting them and maybe not getting the job.

It’s not rocket science.

People like to be treated well.

Think about it from the client’s perspective.

What would you reasonably expect?

Would you be willing to deliver that level of service and commitment with a smile on your face and love in your heart (especially if there’s that potential of not getting the nod)?

These are the things that *might* give you the edge.

It’s the greatest time right now for people when it comes to being to choose from so many exceptionally talented mastering engineers with incredible gear and at very affordable rates.

Talk to people.

Engage them.

Be invested in them.

Above all be of service.

Here to serve you.

Happy Fridee Kids.

Image Barry C. Douglas

🙏❤️💪✊👊