Cardinal is best suited to independent artists, small labels and small to mid-range studios, both home and professional. It is a sort of boutique operation where nothing is rushed or overlooked. I use a hybrid of both analog and digital processing.
CARDINAL was conceived in 2002 when I discovered, after a decade of recording and mixing, that this final stage was what I was best suited to and loved doing most of all. I’ve spent countless hours since, perfecting the craft, and have worked on many, many of hours of music. It's important that the engineer understand and ENJOY the music that is provided, and while it’s certainly technical, it is also an art, like framing a painting. I enjoy and understand all sorts of music and though I may occasionally find myself working on a project that isn’t something I would usually listen to, throughout the process it will be, no matter, my favorite music in the world – this is MOST important.
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
Interview with Cardinal Mastering
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Knowing when something should be left alone and when something can be better realized or improved.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: There is nothing I do that is not already present in the music provided. I do not 'bring' or 'add' anything to a song, instead I aim to better balance, define and energize the existing production.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Listen, listen, listen! If it is an entire album, I 1st listen through & make notes as I do while at the same time deciding which track or tracks will best serve as the reference for others. I will then compare provided references (by other artists) against the chosen representative tracks from the album and note the similarities & differences.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My room is designed to offer the tightest listening environment possible where all depth, detail and dynamics are fully audible. I work with a classic setup, much like mastering studios in the 1980's, employing a clean / minimal path through a mastering-grade converter, emotiva amplifier & direct to a pair of revamped KEF reference speakers with switchable subs. While I work largely in the digital domain I also use a half-dozen outboard, analog processors as they are needed - this hybrid setup is used on most all songs / projects.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Affordable and thorough audio mastering of any & all sorts of music. I also specialize in audio restoration.
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $50 per song
- RestorationAverage price - $50 per hour
- Neko Case
- Tame Impala
- Tonio K.
- ADL Tube Stage
- DBX 160SL
- Lynx Hilo
- Quantum II
