Morrison Studios

17/02/2023

Irish artist Ria Rua's hot new single "I Want You" is now available. Mastered with love at Morrison Studios, California. Available on all major platforms:

04/12/2022

Simon's Favorite Mastering Tools: Part 4 - Saturators

I'm often asked what are my favorite digital mastering tools. In this series of articles I will reveal my favorites.

In addition to mastering I spend a lot of time testing, auditioning and comparing audio software: applications and plug-ins. I focus primarily on software that is relevant to mastering.

The good news is that there are a lot of great tools available, covering every aspect of mastering: EQs, compressors, limiters, clippers, saturators, transient shapers, noise reducers, analyzers, meters, etc. Within each category there are many options to choose from - a quick Google or Gearspace search will provide the appropriate Top 10 list!

Saturators
I use saturation tools when mastering to:
• Add warmth, depth and weight
• Add thickness and high-end sheen
• Increase punch and energy
• Improve instrument clarity and separation
• Soften transient content
• Increase perceived loudness
• Improve articulation on playback devices with less-than optimal frequency response

Saturation is judiciously applied to preserve the integrity of the mix whilst improving the listening experience.

I will typically audition several saturators during a mastering session to find the most complimentary result. Combining or "stacking" saturators (transformer > tube > tape) can also produce excellent results. To maintain transparency I will blend various percentages of the saturated (processed) signal with the original.

In the digital realm we are fortunate to have some wonderfully crafted saturators, including authentic emulations of analog components and devices (transformers, transistors, tubes and tape).

Here are my favorite mastering saturators:

• Black Box Analog Design HG-2MS
• Goodhertz Tupe
• klanghabitat Cassiopeia
• Kush Audio LG Drive
• Maor Appelbaum Mastering - Hendy Amps The Oven
• Newfangled Audio Saturate
• Ploytec Aroma
• Pulsar Modular P42 Climax
• Softube Overstayer M-A-S
• SSL Fusion Transformer
• Tone Projects Kelvin
• Vertigo Sound VSM-4
• Wavesfactory Spectre

Happy Saturating!

Simon

Morrison Studios is a professional audio engineering studio located in Boulder Creek, California.

17/08/2022

"WOW!!!", "This is exactly the sound I had imagined!", "Stunning!", "I love it!", "It's perfect!", "Superb balance!", "I love how you brought the whole sound spectrum to life while staying true to the mix.", "My jaw literally dropped...I'm sincerely impressed with the insane 3D quality your mastering got out of the material.", "Perfecto!", "You have made my track sound like a million dollars!", "Exquisite", "You made me cry…simply brilliant!", "The difference is stunning!": these are the reactions from my clients after hearing the mastered version of their latest works.

Not all mastering is the same, and I'm not your typical mastering engineer.

I treat mastering as an art form itself, not simply a function. I unveil and accentuate important details that dramatically improve both the sonic and emotional impact of your material.

Your music deserves great mastering, and your audience deserves a truly engaging and emotionally impactful listening experience.

Discover what great mastering can do for your music!

Respectfully,

Simon Morrison

Morrison Studios
Professional Audio Mastering
Apple Digital Masters

Morrison Studios is a professional audio engineering studio located in Boulder Creek, California.

05/08/2022

Little Rock, Arkansas: The Dangerous Idiots have released their hard hitting new EP "I Killify You". Mastered with love at Morrison Studios, California. Available on all major platforms:

Album · 2022 · 4 Songs

24/06/2022

Irish artist Ria Rua's third single "I Don't Care" from her debut EP "chaos/control" is now available. Mastered with love at Morrison Studios, California. Available on all major platforms:

Listen to I Don't Care by Ria Rua on Apple Music. 2022. Duration: 3:16

03/06/2022

Irish artist Ria Rua's second single "Breathe" from her debut EP "chaos/control" is now available. Mastered at Morrison Studios, California. Available on all major platforms:

Listen to Breathe by Ria Rua on Apple Music. 2022. Duration: 3:27