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Dex Mastering
Established in 1982, Dex Mastering is Melbourne's longest running
professional mastering facility. Since its inception, literally thousands
of recordings have passed through our studios, which means you can
trust that your project is in the best possible hands. We provide
a friendly and professional service as well as providing the experience
and equipment required to meet international standards. With a range
of services including album and EP mastering, DVD authoring and restoration
from old formats, Dex Mastering offers the most comprehensive Post-Production
service available in Melbourne.
Click the links below or scroll down for more information:
CD Mastering
What is CD Mastering?
First and foremost, Mastering means the process by which we create
a production master. In other words, we are creating a high quality
master disc which can be used reliably for duplication. It is
a step which also provides us with our final creative opportunity
in the production process, one in which an audio "polish" is
applied in order to give the best possible sonic results for
the listener. This is done largely by means of both analogue
and digital EQ and compression. In a nutshell then, we make the
final tonal and level adjustments necessary before creating a
master disc which is then error-tested according to industry
standards.
Why Use Dex Mastering?
These are just some of the features which make Dex Mastering such
a great choice for your project:
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Engineers who specialise in mastering, with decades of collective
experience across all genres
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Two main suites, plus separate rooms for transfers, restoration
and DVD Authoring
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Professional and friendly service
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Accurate acoustically-designed monitoring environment
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On-site duplication plant, so your project stays under one
roof
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In-house art department for all your graphic and printing
needs
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Competitive rates
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Discounts when you use Dex Audio for manufacture
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Conveniently located in fashionable Kensington close to cafes
and shops
Our Gear:
Dex Audio co-founder and analogue electronics guru Daniel Desiere
has built a solid reputation as a designer of high-end analogue
audio gear. As well as designing the acoustics of our main mastering
suites, he has designed and manufactured several of the key pieces
of equipment that our studio houses. This includes our analogue
consoles, valve compressors, valve eq and the bi-amped, time-aligned
monitoring (550 W RMS per channel). Other features include:
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World class SADiE 5 mastering system (as used by Abbey Road
and the BBC) and CEDAR restoration tools
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Twin subwoofers & a room response down to 18 Hz
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Digital Audio Denmark ADDA 2408 24/96 Converters
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Flat screen LCD computer monitors for minimal disruption
to room acoustics
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Custom Vacuum Tube EQ DexVT4SS
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Custom Gedo Zen Valve Compressors
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Analogue 2-track tape playback including Studer A-807, Ampex
AG440, Otari MX 50, MX 55 and MCI JH 110 1/4" and 1/2".
Our tape machines are custom modified and exceed industry specifications
for ultimate playback accuracy. All types of NR available
About our CD Mastering Service
We basically provide two options: full mastering at an hourly or
daily rate, or a finishing service.
For full mastering a typical project includes a day or half-day
session, a reference/sample disc, a CD Master verified to industry
standards and a free 2 month safety archive, kept with us. The
production master undergoes further error-analysis to guarantee
that it meets specifications for manufacture. Client attendance
is welcome.
Our Discount Day Rate (8 hrs) suitable for albums is $715 + GST
and includes a master disc plus a reference copy.
Our hourly rate is $95/hr + $15 materials GST - allow 3-5 hours
for EPs.
Alternatively, our finishing service may suit projects where
budget is a factor. Rather than process each track individually,
we tailor
a set of processes suitable for the entire program. Costs for
this are a flat $175 for EPs and $350 for album length projects
(ex
GST). This type of mastering is not suitable for compilations
where the recordings are from different sources or feature a
number of
different artists.
Clients can bring their finished mixes to Dex Mastering in almost
any format, however our preferred format is 24 bit, 44.1KHz
stereo PCM wav data.
For all mastering work, full payment is required by either
cash, EFTPOS, VISA, Bankcard or MasterCard prior to collection
or delivery
of goods.
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DVD Authoring
What is DVD Authoring?
DVD authoring involves the structuring and layout of all the graphic
and artwork components that make up a DVD menu and the linking
all of this together with the actual video or movie footage to
make a fully functioning and professional-looking DVD product.
This can be as basic as a single screen corporate-style menu
with one video clip, or as complex as a widescreen DVD with motion
menus, scene selection and bonus features. After the authoring
process, we create production masters which are error-tested
according to industry standards prior to manufacture. High quality
movie-length programs generally use the dual-layer DVD-9 format,
while shorter programs are usually manufactured using the lower-cost
single-layer DVD-5.
About our DVD Authoring Service
Using our comprehensive range of playback equipment and fully
professional DVD authoring software we can create almost any
kind of DVD product.
You can deliver your clips to us on any professional or domestic
video format, or simply provide data files on a DVD-ROM. For
menu artwork you can provide your own content in any standard
graphics
file format, or you can use the services of our in-house graphic
design studio to create the look that you want.
Dex Mastering offers DVD authoring for both DVD-5 and DVD-9 products.
Our rates are $95/hr and the total cost will depend firstly
on the running time and secondly the complexity of the menu
structure
and whether or not you are providing your own menu art. Speak
to our mastering staff for more information and an estimate
of cost.
Other Services
Transfer From Any Audio Format
Dex Mastering are experts in restoring old and unusual formats
and transferring onto CDR. From standard vinyl and cassette decks
to 16" acetate turntables, we have a veritable museum of
restored playback equipment enabling us to transfer virtually
anything. And if you want the CDR to sound better than the original,
there is no better solution in the world than our Cedar digital
restoration tools. Contact our mastering staff for professional
help with any transfer job.
Digital Audio Archiving
Dex Mastering also offers a digital audio archiving service for
any library of recordings where bulk volume, long-term preservation
is required. Endorsed by Screensound Australia, we work to industry
standards in preserving audio recordings of historic or cultural
significance. Working with professionally calibrated playback
equipment and the best in audio software, we can provide quality
digitisation
on archive-grade media designed to stand the test of time. We
can also provide high-resolution data files on hard-drive, or
low resolution
files for internet use. Contact our mastering staff for more
information.
Airline Passenger Entertainment
Duplicating audio for several high-profile airlines across the
world since 1997, Dex Audio is Australia's leading provider
of Avionics media formats. As an independent provider, Dex can
supply
audio producers and airlines with an efficient and cost effective
solution. Digital mastering for four-channel cassette duplication
means that we can ensure a significant improvement in audio
quality over current industry standards. We can also duplicate
programs
in CD-I and Flashcard formats as well as provide all types
of printing and packaging options.
Mastering Credits include
(click for full list):
Australian Broadcasting Commission, Broderick Smith,
Allan Browne, Fiona Burnett, CAAMA Music, C.W. Stoneking, Dili
Allstars, The
Push, Joe Chindamo, Clann Zu, Coco's Lunch, Coloured Stone,
The Crazy Baldheads, Nina Ferro, Neil Murray, Smallgoods, The
Devilrock Four, Lloyd Spiegel, W.Minc Records, Walt Disney Records,
Warner Music, Marie Wilson.
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