
| CD
Mastering,
both Traditional 2-track audio
mastering and Separation
Mastering,
is the
amazing final step your music takes before manufacturing and digital
distribution. Over
30
years of experience and dedication means John Vestman and Ian Miller
bring out the very best sound in your project. We give you the
sonic edge that
makes your CD come alive! • 70
free articles - Sound
Recording Tips! One of the most informative audio
recording
sites on
the web.
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"Your dedication brought George [Duke's] album to the potential it deserved. That is the mark of a great mastering engineer." --Erik Zobler - Grammy Award winning engineer (Anita Baker, etc.) "The only thing more important than mastering is the mastering engineer. John is on par with the best." --Francis Buckley - Grammy for "Q's Jook Joint" with Quincy Jones, plus Pointer Sisters, Paula Abdul, Alanis Morisette's "Jagged Little Pill", Aerosmith, etc. "Bang for the buck, John Vestman is one of the best I've discovered in the LA Area." --Matt (Zeke)
Silva -
Engineer - Madonna's "Ray of Light" album
"Your MASTER outscored the master of a big mastering house on the East Coast!" --Dieter Schulthess, CORE 22, Switzerland "We picked your services over two Grammy-filled L.A. studios - because what you did sounded better." --Ryan Hafer - engineer - Coach House Records "You exceeded my expectations at half the price of the 'world class' facility I used originally." --Martin Beal - Engineer for Narada Michael Walden, Carole King, Hanson, Howard Jones, etc. See some of our clients and record labels here • Contact us for more Information • Check out the Gear • Studio Rates |
| We
Specialize In Separation Mastering as
well as innovative 2-Track Mastering techniques • Both formats give better width and definition • More flexible tonal control and refinements • It's easy to make Separations for mastering Articles featured in EQ Magazine and the 2007 "Mastering Music at Home" book by Mitch Gallegher |
Contact us now for a
no-obligation demo master for your project • Upload your files now with our easy, secure internet service • Simply send your files with notes about your goals and preferences • Fast turn-around - hear the difference! Fast upload now |
![]() Brazil's award- winning group: BR6 Separation Mastering |
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![]() Separation Mastering featured on Intentcity Record's amazing artist, Eden |
![]() Crosby Loggins with Separation Mastering |
![]() Separation Mastering featured on Universal's US/ European smash group, Anything But Monday |
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![]() Juice Newton: American Girl |
![]() Alright This Time Just the Girls |
![]() Lesiem Billboard Top 10 |
![]() Marc Seal |
![]() Warner Brother's Web Site's Live Concert Series - our mastering: Sting |
| Information About
Mastering |
Tips for Better
Sound Recordings |
| John
Vestman's Musical Experience Experience makes the difference in CD Mastering (Scroll down for John & Ian Miller's engineering backgrounds) |
Secrets
for
Better Mixing Ideas that actually make the mastering process easier, and improve your sound plus there's more |
| How
to
Prepare for Mastering + Get your ISRC Codes! Simple ideas that can save you time and money |
Tips for
Recording Vocals Getting the most from your vocalist (more on vocals) |
| Surprising
Mastering Differences - Hot CD's are now Hotter! Innovative CD Mastering is more than just EQ and levels! |
Secrets
for
Better Miking Drums, guitars, phase, experimentation and the source itself |
| The
Equipment in Studio A Hand-picked from the most respected in the industry |
Gasp! The
Myth of Digital Sound Controversial to say the least. It's not all ones and zeros |
| Mastering
Procedures - What to Expect from
Mastering What happens in a mastering session |
Compression
Explained What the heck is really going on there! |
| Vestman-Recommended Reference CD's We've included some comments about great sounding commercial CD's that we recommend as references when mixing or mastering. They're not all the newest, but they have time-tested elements that are actually more helpful. |
Studio
Monitor Madness! It is so common that musicians get frustrated when their mixes don't sound the same at home as they do in the studio. There are distinct reasons for this, and there are things you can do about it! |
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Contact
Vestman Mastering • Client
Satisfaction • Clients
& Record Labels |
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| Attend your
session in
person or
send projects from anywhere in the world. • Accurate
Monitoring
• All formats accepted • Analog processing • Convenient to LA • Personal Service |
We also offer Pro Tools Mixing, Separation
Mixing, & state-of-the-art Mastering Services •
Quality
guaranteed
• Replication, graphics • Out-of-state welcome • Convenient FTP service Call 714-894-4000 |
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| John
Vestman, Chief
Mastering Engineer: Studio A |
Ian
Miller, Mixing/
Mastering Engineer: Studio B |
| John Vestman has
provided mastering services for clients ranging from labels to local
musicians to Gold
& Platinum, Grammy-nominated & award winning artists, in
several genres, for over thirteen years. He is noted for developing ground- breaking audio techniques and favors musical integrity over shifting sonic trends. Vestman's audiophile and musically-based understanding of sound keeps him at the cutting edge of sound recording developments. He has written articles and conducted interviews that have appeared in prominent industry magazines and numerous web sites such as Getsigned.com. In 1975, he began a 20-year career as a recording studio owner, engineer and producer. With thousands of 8, 16, 24 and 48 track recordings to his credit, Vestman garnered a reputation as a skillful recordist and session musician/vocalist - often guiding projects to completion of vinyl records, post production for film and early digital Compact Disc recordings. He was one of the first recording engineers (1978) to use refined audiophile listening systems in a professional recording environment, and has been presented with RIAA Gold and Platinum records. Along with Mastering Engineer, Don Sundstrom, John defined a more potent method of mastering audio, “Separation Mastering.” This versatile process produces a more open, robust musical sound, and is discussed in detail in the book, "Mastering Music at Home" by Mitch Gallagher. Applying his out-of-the-box processing philosophy, he has also taken traditional 2-track stereo mastering to a new sonic level. John’s relentless quest for the ultimate sound quality leads him to take current technology beyond it’s intended design. John Vestman has been passionately involved in the music industry for over 40 years. He began playing classical violin at age 8, continuing into college. His studies included composition, music theory and ear training. In 1970, he toured Europe playing in 11 different countries with the American Youth Symphony and Choir. He was a guitarist/ violinist in a rock band playing everywhere from the Sunset Strip to the heart of the American mid-western night clubs. The group, The 13th Our, appeared often on the televised teen show, "Headshop" hosted by Elliot Mintz. Mintz later became connected with John Lennon. His interest in recording technology began as his band career ended, starting as an intern at Richard Perry’s famed Studio 55 in Los Angeles. John's son is also a rock guitarist who has performed lead guitar for Universal's "Anything But Monday." Vestman also launched Nautilus Master Technology, a high-end audio equipment line that has won “Certified Hit” kudos from major recording industry magazines. Built by Inward Connections, the equipment utilized Discrete Class-A circuit designs with attention-getting features and details. Vestman’s attention to detail is reflected in his audio designs and proprietary methods which are in use every day in both CD mastering rooms. |
“In the past, I used [probably the most
famous mastering engineer in
L.A.] and was nowhere near as impressed as I am with Ian Miller’s
work! Scot’s Rule!" -John G. 4/7/09 Ian Miller has been at Vestman Mastering Studios since 2004, and has worked with John Vestman since 1991 at Studio One Recording Studios in Orange County, California. His 25 years of Gold and Platinum recording and mixing expertise enables him to surpass the skills of most mastering engineers. His mastering skills have been honed in our Studio A, while he continues to do mixing and mastering in Studio B. Ian’s room is full-featured mastering room, but with additional mixing technology. This means all of the advantages of our Class-A Discrete monitoring system and mastering equipment provides an edge over most mixing rooms. Getting the entire sonic picture in one room - means Ian creates turnkey CD masters with no guesswork. Every level of the recording process is understood and utilized by Ian. His audio engineering experience began in Scotland (that's no fake Star Trek accent either!) and his clients include Gil Scott Heron, Wet Wet Wet (triple platinum), Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie (gold records) featuring Shirley Manson (who went on to sing with Garbage), BBC Television and Radio, EMI, plus albums by Teri Bozzio, John, Bruce and Chad Wackerman, Abraham Laboriel, Alex Acuna, Justo Almario, Paul Jackson Jr., Jann Brown etc. Ian has numerous credits with American clients, including Universal Record's "Anything But Monday", Nordstrom, ESPN, ABC, NBC, Disney Post Production, Knott's Berry Farm and more. His expertise extends to live sound reinforcement, dialog and effects editor, video post production, 48 track analog recording and mixing, studio design and interface, as well as hundreds of clients in the greater LA/ Orange County, USA area (including Cracker, Still Working Music (Nashville), Patty Booker, Platinum Island/ Ruffhouse Records and more. Ian Miller is a multi-talented musician who's services have included drum loop programming, playing bass, drums, guitar and mandolin on numerous sessions over the years. You can expect Ian to give you a thorough, honest evaluation of your recordings. He is practically a forensic expert in audio and he knows how to take your project to the next level. |
