Lightswitch Mastering

05/12/2024

Not too fussed about the numbers themselves, but it's nice to see a summary of your work as I never keep track of it in this way.

It's arguably been a huge year for me as I became a dad halfway through, so managing to fit in working on over 60 releases feels equally huge.

I've continued to learn so much about being an engineer in the process, with each project providing a chance to grow and understand this thing we call music a little better.

A big thank you to all the artists I've been working with for placing their trust in me, which I don't ever take for granted. And thanks to .ai for making engineering credits more accessible.

20/11/2024

Mixing day for ! I can't wait for you (and the band) to hear this!

Super busy with mixing at the moment 🎧

Room in the diary for Jan 2025, just drop me a message or email me at [email protected] and I'll get back to you asap.

12/11/2024

Very proud to say I am now teaching music production at Imperial College, London.

This seems like a good time to announce that as well as creative audio engineering services, I'm also offering mentoring and tuition to anyone who is looking to learn or improve their craft.

More to come, but for now if you're looking for production advice, mentoring or tuition, you can book a session with me by messaging me directly, or emailing [email protected]

08/11/2024

Recent releases I've had the pleasure of working on!

Thank you as always to the artists below for trusting me with their art.

VIKTUS: Brightlights

Produced by Viktus & Bitodelyna
Mixed/mastered by Ashley Smith / .mastering

RATYNSKI: Tomorrow Is A Storm EP

Produced/mixed by Ratynski
Mastered .mastering .

NICHE CRUSH: Lamacq

Produced by Niche Crush
Mixed/mastered by Ashley Smith / .mastering

VIKTUS: Crossroads

Produced by Viktus & Anywaywell
Mixed/mastered by Ashley Smith / .mastering

BICYCLE TRIP: I Don't Want It

Produced by Bicycle Trip
Mixed by Liquid Gain Mixing
Mastered .mastering

22/10/2024

New room. It's bigger, a nicer space to work in, and better access to my record collection (the most important thing)

Speakers all recalibrated with .berlin MA 1 microphone/software.

___________________

09/10/2024

🗯️ Time for a new introduction!

I'm Ashley, a UK-based audio engineer and music producer working in all styles of music. 🎧🎚️🎛️

At Lightswitch Mastering, I help artists release top-tier records that deliver in sonic clarity, expression and creativity, drawing on the culmination of 20 years in the industry.

With an open attitude fostering collaboration, respect, and a personal touch, I work tirelessly to bring out the best your music has to offer, ensuring you end up with a master that fully represents your art and brings it closer to your audience.

If you're ready to work with a professional who values your music and strives for perfection with every project, say hello! - I'd love to hear about you and what you're working on ☕

02/10/2024

Recent releases I've had the pleasure of working on.

Artificial Firetiger - 'Poolside Dreams'

Bicycle Trip - 'Lies! Lies! Lies! Lies! (Generic 90s Song)' / 'Toblerone' / 'Radio'


Bridgebanks - 'A Foreign Groove ft. ZLATANTANGO'

Ashleigh-Mae - 'Her'


Gary B Lucas - 'Red Light'


Niche Crush - 'Adrian'


Circular Illusion - 'Birdsong Before The Sun'

24/09/2024

Here's me, having a blast working on a musical in London earlier this year.

First time using a DiGiCo, I never usually get nervous before a show, but this was a totally different beast mixing 24 headset mics and a 20-piece band with minimal soundcheck and setup time. I was FOCUSED.

You learn a lot doing jobs like this, mainly how fast you have to work. No time for noodling around, or second guessing. You have to trust your gut, yet be responsive and prepared for things to go off-piste, which they usually will.

It's different to working in a controlled studio environment, taking your time and agonising over a 0.5dB EQ move. 😅

Yet I've found one helps the other - in live sound, you really get to feel what the audience is feeling. You get to shape their experience in real time, and this helps you remember the responsibility you have as an engineer. You're there to serve the music and the artists/performers. And in that sense it's exactly the same kettle of fish.

Anyone with similar experiences? Let me know below!

05/09/2024

Hey gang,

September is nearly all booked up so please do get in touch for mastering (and very occasional mixing) in October and onwards!

Let's get your music finished the right way, and let's have a good time doing it!

For enquiries send to [email protected] or send me a DM.

31/07/2024

🌅☕👋🏻

Checking yesterday's masters this morning before sending them off for approval.

Some advice - always sleep on your mixes/masters and listen with fresh ears in the morning. Luckily, today everything sounded as good as it did yesterday. But sometimes, the results can be surprising!

16/07/2024

16/07/2024

History & Destiny - Circular Illusion
Produced by Jeff Minter / Circular Illusion

One of my favourite albums I've mastered here. Inventive, varied songwriting with plenty of interesting textures and surprises made it a really enjoyable project to work on.

16/07/2024

Lost In Love - Jas Rolyn

Produced/mixed by Amedee Van Sever

Paranoia - Viktus


I Need A Painkiller (UKG EDIT) - Joe Allen


Black Magic - Viktus


Mastered here 🎚️🎛️

08/07/2024

From deep in the Kentish countryside to the rest of the world 🌎 Recent projects from Manchester, Barcelona, Colorado, Brighton, London, Edinburgh, Florida, Margate, Belgium, Poland & Russia all passing through my humble mastering studio!

20/06/2024

Studio vibes 🎨✨👹

After a very busy couple of weeks in the studio, I'm nearly fully booked for July... Now taking bookings for August and onwards!

Get in touch if you're sitting on something special 🙏

DM for enquiries or email [email protected]

Have a great weekend!

15/06/2024

Mastering this morning. 🎨

New record in the frame is Holst's The Planets (Halle Orchestra - 1976). Originally from my dad's collection, I don't think he remembers that I borrowed it. One of my favourites!

10/06/2024

Getting started on some new projects this week, a few LPs to master, a few singles and a couple of mixing projects to keep me busy!

I'd love to hear what you're working on 🔊🔊🔊

30/05/2024

When I first became aware of the mastering phase, I very much thought it was a dark art. Pure magic that turned average-sounding songs into shiny, polished records.

I became curious how it worked... And that curiosity sent me on a path to find out the "secrets" of mastering and music production. And I quickly realised that most of it was in the mix... Most of which was in the recording. And then you have the arrangement and songwriting itself 😆

Years later, and I'm still learning, still curious and still uncovering secrets.

Over time I'm finding that I spend less time noticing what is wrong with a mix, and more time focusing on the possibilities, or potential. After that initial listen, I'll feel where it needs to go, what needs tightening or extending, highlighting or shaping, to get it to that magical place. Sometimes it all just clicks, but sometimes it takes a bit longer to sit with until I feel it's ready.

Coming at it afresh is what gives us mastering engineers our secret power, we can hear and feel things in a different way, with an understanding of where the music has come from and a commitment to making sure it gets to where it needs to be. It's a strange, sometimes contradictory process, but that's all part of why I love it.

What are your thoughts? Do you have a different way of thinking about it? I'd love to hear it!