3x Emmy Nominated Projects
Including Best Sound Mixing
LISTEN
SERVICES
- Mixing
- Mastering
- Stem Mastering
- Production
- Vocal Editing
- Instrument Editing
- Sound Design
- Guitar & Bass Tracking
- Background Vocals
- Auxiliary Percussion
- Drum Programming
- Synth / Midi Programming
Using only the highest quality
analog outboard, AD/DA converters, monitoring,
microphones, preamps, & plug-ins.
Check out the gear list here.
ABOUT ME
I’m Joseph Berg, the engineer and owner of Cherry Creek Music.
I’m also a life-long musician & songwriter. As someone who has led bands, toured, landed my own film & TV placements, and recorded my own albums, I understand all the time that you put in, and the importance of having professional sounding music that accurately represents you and your work.
FAQ
What is mastering?
To briefly summarize, mastering is the last step in the post-production process before a song or project’s commercial distribution. This process includes applying eq, saturation, compression, limiting, stereo imaging, fading, spacing, dithering, ISRC coding, etc., to the final mix (or mixes) in order to achieve a ‘commercial ready’ final product, as well as a cohesive sound throughout an entire project if there are multiple tracks. It is the final 10% of the process, and its is 100% necessary for completing any production.
What is stem mastering?
Stem mastering is a more versatile option of mastering. Instead of mastering the final stereo file, like in normal mastering, stem mastering combines 3-5 “stems” or stereo groups of instruments to create a final stereo master. This is a great option for someone that has gotten their mix as far as they can take it, but feel it just needs that extra finishing touch to take it to where it needs to go. Budget-wise, it’s a perfect fit between a full mix + master, versus a master only.
The stems should represent the main sonic elements of your project, for example: drums, bass, guitars, and vocals. You can use any stems you’d like, I just ask that there’s at least 3, and no more than 5, and that each track must be a stereo file. If you have any questions on preparing your mix for a stem master, just shoot me an email and I can help you with stemming out your particular project.
What sort of files should I send you for mixing?
1. All files must be in at least 44.1 kHz format and at least 24 bit. (16 bit files can be used during mixing if this is the only format possible for a certain individual track, but should be avoided if possible. If your files are in a higher sample rate, send it to me at the sample rate it is in. I will handle any down-sampling and or dithering if needed.)
2. All files must be either WAV or AIFF file format. No MP3s.
3. All reference mixes must be “high quality” MP3s.
4. All files must have no digital clipping.
5. Do not send session files, only WAV files.
6. When all the files are ready to be sent, please label and organize the files properly and send using WeTransfer or Dropbox.
What sort of files should I send you for mastering?
1. All files must be in at least 44.1 kHz format, and at least 24 bit. (If your files are in a higher sample rate, send it to me at the sample rate it is in. I will handle any downsampling and or dithering if needed.)
2. All files must be either WAV or AIFF file format. no MP3s.
3. All reference mixes must be “high quality” MP3s.
4. All files must have no digital clipping, and should have headroom to work with. (Peaks around -6db is preferred)
5. Remove all limiters from your master buss.
6. Have all individual tracks edited with clean fades, and eliminate any unwanted noise, clicks, or pops.
7. Leave some silence at the beginning & end of the song to allow me some room to work with fades.
8. Do not send session files, only WAV files.
9. When all the files are ready to be sent, please label and organize the files properly, and send using WeTransfer or Dropbox.
Are you offering free samples for mastering?
Yes! If you would like to hear a free sample of how your song will sound mastered, send me a track, and I will get you a 1-2 minute sample of the finished master. If you like your master, as soon as I receive payment, I will send you the finished full master.
How long will it take to get my songs finished?
For mastering, I shoot for anywhere between 1-3 days turnaround, and never any longer than a week. For mixing, this all depends on the scope of the project, how detailed your revisions are and how quickly I receive them, etc… It can take anywhere from one day to a few weeks.