Elements of recording and Paul Abbott’s approach to mastering
Paul Abbott is an audio mastering engineer, musician, and owner of ZenMastering (located in San Diego, CA). Paul est
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ablished ZenMastering in the late 1990s — at a time when there were very few high-end independent mastering studios. Since then, Paul has mastered over 1,000 projects for clients throughout the United States and around the world, ranging from up-and-coming indie bands to award-winning artists and labels.
Paul has been featured in Music Connection’s “Masters of Mastering” series and appeared as a guest columnist for many of pro audio’s leading publications (EQ, Tape Op, Sound on Sound). One of Paul’s published articles was even cited as a reference in Damon Krukowski’s acclaimed book The NewAnalog.
Paul’s perspective on mastering comes from decades of playing music, making recordings, critical listening, and rigorous comparative audio/sonic analysis. His mastering philosophy is that the highest-quality, properly matched analog gear produces the best sonic results.
Part 3: Paul Abbott and Chuck Schiele discuss objectivity in the creative process.
In Part 1 of this video series, above, Paul Abbott explains the 3 basic elements of the recording process from his professional perspective
ZenMastering Gear
DAW
- Steinberg WaveLab Pro
CONVERTERS
- Cranesong HEDD
- Mytek DSD DAC
ANALOG PROCESSING
- Dangerous Music
- Maselec
- Pendulum Audio
MONITORING
- Lipinski L707 speakers with L-3601 powered stands (with L-301 monoblock amps)
- B&W subwoofers
- Audeze headphones
Silversonic cable
Related Links
How to Create a Recording Studio for $100
How To Record, Equalize, and Edit Classical Guitar Tracks In A Home Studio
Recording Acoustic Guitar in Stereo for Beginners
First 50 Recording Techniques You Should Know to Track Music