How to Master Your Song on a Budget

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It comes as no surprise that automated mastering has changed the way artists produce and release their music. Gone are the days of investing your hard earned money towards a fancy, over equipped studio, only to find out you’re still a few hundred dollars away from actually finishing your release! There had to be an easier, more affordable way for indie artists to get their music quality up to par with the industry without breaking the bank, and the market supplied!

With services like eMastered, LANDR, and Aria the mastering process has never been easier or cheaper! Now for a small fee, artists can employ their very own “virtual engineer” to take their finished song and make it radio ready. But this inevitably begs the question: 

“What service provides the best solution for me to master my track on a budget, and is it worth it?”

Short Answer:

It depends.

 

Let’s Compare

There’s no denying that every artist is different, it’s what makes you special! 

That being said, you wouldn’t master Snoop Dogg’s latest release with the same technique for Burt Bacharach! Ultimately there is no “formula” when it comes to mastering. This only catalyzes the question of “is it worth my money for AI to master my music?”

 

eMastered

 
 

Leading the market in artificial mastering, eMastered has made its way into the hearts of independent artists around the globe. The service recognizes the hesitation around trusting a website to master your audio, and has shown attempts to work around that to satisfy customers. 

With various genre specific settings, 100% high-res WAV file delivery, and free testing before purchasing a plan, eMastered takes that extra step in ensuring quality for their users.

But is it worth the price?

The most affordable plan comes in at $168 for a yearly subscription, and the cheaper price tag ultimately comes with a cost.

eMastered is currently unable to upload and master more than one audio file at a time, and does not include any digital distribution services. As a result, this ultimately leaves another bill to be paid down the road. So how can artists get good quality results without requiring additional distribution fees?

eMastered Pros:

  • Professional, high resolution delivery

  • Easy customization and adjustment

  • Payment not required to test functionality

eMastered Cons:

  • Digital distribution is not included

  • Slow processing rate per track

 

Aria

 
 

With the highest price point in the independent market, Aria is taking an alternative approach by embracing analog gear and techniques into their automated mastering service. 

With the biggest selling feature being their 100% analogue processing, it gives artists seeking an “authentic” sound an opportunity to have a real time studio master. This simple, yet professional approach justifies the large price tag of $19/song, pushing artists towards the $600/year plan at 10 songs per month. 

This option might be suitable for noteworthy artists such as Tom Walker and Phé, but admittedly for independent artists, it doesn't not provide distribution or much customization for the high price range. 

Aria Pros:

  • Easy to use

  • True studio quality

  • Analogue processing

Aria Cons:

  • High price range

  • Noncustomizable 

  • No digital distribution

 

LANDR

 
 

LANDR is currently standing as the largest competition for eMastered in the eyes of independent artists due to the low price and simplicity of the service. 

With a rate of $48/year for the basic package, it provides artists with unlimited, quickly mastered audio. However, LANDR currently charges additional fees for better audio quality outside of the lo-mp3 quality, which isn't supported on all streaming platforms. LANDR is providing the cheapest, quickest compression tool to bring your volume levels up to par without much distortion. 

LANDR Pros:

  • Low price point

  • Easy to use

LANDR Cons:

  • Low quality export

  • Costs more to boost quality

 

What to do?

When an artist is looking for the absolute best way to get their tracks mastered on a budget, there is no single answer that works for everyone. 

Every service definitely has their strong and weak points, but the answer really is in the eye of the beholder. No artificial intelligence will get close to what an authentic mastering service can provide. In the world of independent, self funded artists, automated mastering may be an easy way to save a few dollars but you’ll never reach the quality of an experience mastering engineers' magic touch. For more information on automated mastering check out this article by Sage Audio.

 

Conclusion

When it comes down to music quality, the final master of your track is designed to accent and enhance your amazing mix. Mastering is the final task of making a great song become an amazing song. 

As Nathan Allen once brilliantly stated,

“Songs that aren’t professionally mastered are like Ferraris with no paint jobs.”

To learn more about mixing, mastering and marketing services provided by Jony Studios take a look at the website and a follow on social media @jonystudios.


If you need further help creating your own music, we offer audio production services that will help you elevate your sound and bring your song to life!

We look forward to being a part of your success.

Contact us here to get started.

 

3 Ways to Make Your Song Memorable

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Everyone has heard a song that sticks with you no matter what. The music is so powerful and full of depth and passion that it brings up an enormous amount of emotions within you.

Can you think of a song you have listened to and wondered what made you so attached to it?

I know I have!

This blog covers three ways that artists and producers have helped their listeners connect to songs at a personal level. 

 

Layering Music

When I listen to a song with great passion, the first thing I personally discovered was the way the artist manipulates layering to realize the artist's vision.

A blog by Kevin Tran available on Medium speaks more in detail about music layering techniques.

These layers invoke in the song, a range of emotions such as drama, suspense, passion, pain, sorrow, hope and more.

Some songs have instrumentals that can just speak for themselves, with beat drops, transitions or fade-outs that can be an adventure to listen to. Electronic music singers/producers such as Grimes, Daft Punk or Gesaffelstein have mastered this art through the use of production to express their feelings. 

On the other hand, these music production techniques are even more amplified when it includes lyrics with a story and meaning. Stories make up another layer that embodies the meaning of a song and touches anyone listening. Artists like Frank Ocean perfected this styling and connected with so many listeners.  

Frank Ocean- Nights

Producers Ocean Thornalley Uzowuru Ross 

 

Harmonies and melodies

Almost every song that I love includes harmonies and melodies that make up the structural part of a track as well as so catchy and smooth to listen to. With technology, artists are able to be more creative. 

Many respected artists in the industry such as Bjork utilized MIDI technologies to turn their visions into reality. A blog by Scott Wilson on Factmag outlines how Bjork uses technology such as Melodyne to build her harmonies with her voice.

Kanye West has also been famously known throughout his career to incorporate samples from gospel choirs which gives a whole sense of meaning and emotion into his songs. In a blog written by Desire Thompson in Vibe outlines Kanye’s West Gospel samples in his recent album “Jesus is King”. 

Ultralight Beam- Kanye West

Producers- Kanye West, Mike Dean, Chance the Rapper, Swizz Beatz

 

Instrumental solos

Instrumental solos, especially during a bridge, is one of the best ways to express emotions, especially sorrow and heartbreak. 

An article that can be found at Inverse explains how artists and producers utilize solos to tell their story. There are so many songs that incorporate solos in a way that heals you by letting you fully experience all your feelings.

For example, many songs by Beach House include instrumental solos to convey melancholy emotions with so many layers and music editings that are very complex.

Beat it- Michael Jackson

Produced by Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones 

Conclusion

Music has so many components that anyone will appreciate when carefully listened to. 

These components are the reason why people from all over the world (no matter the language) fell in love with music as there is always something that connects with you.

These are the reasons why people fall in love with songs that they find solace in.

What are your favourite aspects of music and what resonates with you the most? Let us know below in the comments!


If you need further help creating your own music, we offer audio production services that will help you elevate your sound and bring your song to life!

We look forward to being a part of your success.

Contact us here to get started.

 

The 7 Best Video Production Companies in Kitchener Waterloo

Video Production Profession Adobe Premiere Pro

Whether you are a small local startup or part of the marketing department of a national organization, video production is probably something you have thought about. There’s almost no better way to capture (and keep) the attention of an audience to get your message across and while this form of advertising is as old as marketing itself it was only adapted to a digital format in 1994 by AT&T. As access to digital production software like the Adobe Creative Suite or Final cut is made increasingly accessible, sometimes it is very enticing to just learn the skills yourself! While it can’t hurt to have some basic understanding of video production and editing, in reality, the time and resources that would go into developing these skills often outweigh outsource costs. 

As a brand, specialization will allow you and your company to focus on your competitive advantages, and as an individual it’ll allow you to spend more time on the things you love. 

For all your video production needs, here is a list of some of the best video production companies around Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.

Jony Studios

 
Jony Studios Video Production Professional
 

Jony Studios is a content marketing agency with various integrated video production services. They provide customized content solutions to amplify your brand's voice, increase reach, and drive business growth.

If you are a B2B company or a growing established business that needs a more strategic video approach that can work cohesively with your marketing department as a partner, then they should be your top choice.

They have worked with top organizations such as Amazon, Penguin Random House, University of Waterloo, and Bakertilly.

 

Astrodog Media

 
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Astrodog Media are experts at creating story-driven videos. They have a lot of experience not only with the technical but strategic side of video production therefore they are a great choice for anyone who knows what they want to say but aren’t quite sure yet how to say it. 

They’ve got a great website where you can view some of their work or if you prefer you can also check them out on instagram

 

Meta Media Productions

Despite being slightly smaller than some of the other names on this list, Meta Media has to be included because of their unique focus on world issues, the environment and education. With an equally as incredible portfolio of international photography and video, it is so lucky they choose to call Waterloo home.

 

Arc Media

 
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Arc Media’s amazing track list of clients like Shopify, Manulife, The University of Waterloo and Vidyard speaks for itself. This company can do everything from corporate videos to artistic animation, but it’s their blend of creative skills and technical production expertise which really sets them apart. Arc Media is a one stop shop for every step of the video creation process. 

 
 

Token Weddings

 
Token Wedding Photography Photos Media
 

Token Weddings is by far the best in class wedding video company in the waterloo region. Cinematic level videos and photos will bring those amazing memories to life for countless years to come. By focusing on their core competency, this company has been able to refine every part of wedding media and provide professional level service on your big day. Although Token Weddings is much more specific than the others on this list, they command a mention due to their incredible quality.

 

Digital North Media

Marketing, creativity and technology is the name of the game for Digital North Media, and they really take it in stride with their unrivaled digital marketing capabilities. While they do video production, this company is designed to take your whole brand into account, video is the cherry on top of an integrated mix of web development and marketing. For this reason, Digital North Media is much more well suited to work with large or established brands compared to start-ups and individuals. 

 

Memory Tree Productions

 
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This is the last but far from the least mention on this list. While other companies like Token Weddings or Meta Media have chosen their niche and stuck to it, Memory Tree Productions  has gone the complete opposite route. The scale of their operations has allowed them to invest in skills and hardware inaccessible to other studios like extensive animation, drone footage, 360 VR and even virtual tours! This is the largest and most general studio, so if you are unable to get your project done anywhere else by a specialist, you can guarantee that Memory Tree will have it covered. 

 
 

Conclusion

Video can be the best media to promote any up and coming brand,  or preserve personal memories for a lifetime. But with so many moving pieces it can also be a cause of a lot of stress. 

Hopefully this list has given you a good overview of the many specialists and general media companies in the area so you can find the one that is right. Outsourcing your video projects to an organization that knows this through and through will not only save you time and stress, but likely money down the road. 

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For any inquiries about our video production services or to book a quote, just fill out this quick contact form and if you’re interested in the other media services we provide at Jony Studios, check out our services page here.