THE STUDIO

Not your mama’s mastering suite.

A high-end analog mastering studio with Ex Machina and Focal monitors. Wavelab is visible on a computer monitor surrounded by equalizers and compressors.

I work in a 400 ft² room built for critical listening with extra care to present accurate bass. Comprehensive acoustic treatment complements the room's architecture and coordinates an excellent frequency and time-domain response.

It’s a pleasant room to sit in and a revealing one to listen in. Mastering sessions can be attended here or carried out remotely.

Gear in the room: Ex Machina Soundworks, Trinnov, Knif, Hendy Amps, Audeze and Lynx
The mastering desk and outboard racks at Rose Quartz Mastering, seen from the client couch

THE SUITE

Ex Machina Quasar Mk II monitors are nestled in an ASC Attack Wall behind a Sterling Modular console. PSI AVAA C20 active bass traps manage the bottom octaves while Trinnov Nova correction makes finer adjustments. Passive treatment runs 21 inches deep at first and second reflections.

MONITORING AND ACOUSTICS

Ex Machina Quasar Mk II

Trinnov Nova

Audeze LCD-X

PSI AVAA C20

ASC Attack Wall

Focal Solo6

Rupert Neve Designs RNHP

Crane Song Avocett IIA

MORE ON ACOUSTICS
Knif Vari Mu II compressor in the Rose Quartz Mastering analog chain

THE CHAIN

The analog mastering chain is built around Knif: Soma, Eksa and the Vari Mu II. All other pieces of gear can be wired in when a record calls for it. Every connection in the room is Mogami Gold or Platinum. Analog stem mastering is available upon request. 

ANALOG

Knif Soma

Knif Eksa

Knif Vari Mu II

Rupert Neve 5254 Shelford

Undertone UnFairchild 670M II

Hendyamps Michelangelo

D.W. Fearn VT-2

Chandler Curve Bender

Rupert Neve 5059 Satellite

D.A.V. Broadhurst Gardens No.4

CONVERSION

Lynx Hilo

RME ADI-2 Pro FS

Burl B80 Mothership (64 out / 8 in)

Rupert Neve Master Bus Converter

SOFTWARE

Mastering and sequencing happen in REAPER. Quality control, spectral editing, resampling and dithering happen in iZotope RX 12. Plugins on call include DMG, Weiss, Tone Projects, Oeksound, Acustica, Softube, Sonnox, Tokyo Dawn Labs, FabFilter and far too many others to name. Reference masters are delivered via Samply and final masters through Dropbox.

Two black equalizers: Knif Eksa and Soma with numerous switches and labels sitting inside a mastering console.
A Knif Vari Mu II and Rupert Neve Designs Shelford 5254.
Close-up view of an Undertone Audio UnFairchild 670 Mk II.
Close-up of a Hendyamps Michelangelo with white knobs labeled for high, air, trim, and ground lift, along with a toggle switch labeled for air shift.
Close-up of a professional audio mixing and recording rack with various audio equipment and controls, including knobs, meters, and switches. Chandler pieces include the Curve Bender, TG1, Germaniums, Mini Rack Mixer, and RS124.
Wide view of the Rose Quartz Mastering room in San Diego, with the mastering desk, outboard racks and monitors

SESSIONS

Sessions can be attended in the studio or handled remotely.

BOOK A SINGLE
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR RECORD