AES Los Angeles 2016
Workshop W5
Friday, September 30, 1:30 pm — 3:00 pm (Rm 404AB)
W5 - The Dreaded Sign-Off: When Can I Call This Song Finished?
Chair:Rob Toulson, Anglia Ruskin University - Cambridge, UK
Panelists:
George Massenburg, Schulich School of Music, McGill University - Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT) - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Mandy Parnell, Black Saloon Studios - London, UK
Ronald Prent, Wisseloord Studios - Eemnes, Netherlands
Darcy Proper, Darcy Proper Mastering - Eemnes, The Netherlands; Wisseloord Studios - Hilversum, The Netherlands
Michael Romanowski, Coast Mastering - Berkely, CA, USA; The Tape Project
Abstract:
There are many challenges with signing-off a song. Digital technologies have allowed final decisions to be pushed further back in the production process. There are clearly benefits to these tools, allowing songs to be restructured during mixing or to correct specific issues that emerge during mastering, for example. Critical decision-making, however, is an integral part of all processes in music production, from songwriting and composition to tracking, mixing and mastering. The sign-off process is a fearful and intrepid one which many artists, A&R and producers find challenging; wrestling with their own definitions of ‘perfect’ and coming to terms with potential deficiencies in their process or tools. In this workshop, a number of esteemed recording, mixing and mastering engineers will discuss their own experiences with signing-off.
 | This session is presented in association with the AES Technical Committee on Recording Technology and Practices |