About the studio

In fact, what is usually called "mastering", is actually pre-mastering. Real mastering happens in a CD pressing factory, doesn’t affect the sound and isn't done in a studio either.

Pre-mastering means adjusting the sound for the best possible quality on each audio system. Unwanted noise is removed, the equilisation and stereo field is adjusted for each song, bad fades are smoothed out, the dynamic range for several frequencies may need to be enhanced, and each song's relative volume is adjusted so that it matches from song to song. The process always stays in the digital domain.

Provide us with a stereo mix of your finished songs. Don’t use any compressors or limiters on this final mix, except if this is a part of your typical sound. The preferred peak level is about – 3dB. Make shure it never exceeds 0dB. Burn the songs as a data session on CD-R (.wav or .aiff file, 16 or 24 bit), not as an audio CD-R if possible. Exceptions for other delivery formats can be made, of course. 

Mixing your songs in the studio or P.A. assistance during concerts is also a possibility. Everything is discussable. 

About the record label

Breakdown Records is a small label (°March 2003), run by IC 434 & Pangea's Geert de Wilde, and released two CD's so far. Besides a part of his own work, time will show what kind of music this label will deal with, but it will definitely be oriented in a dark mysterious spacey surrreal direction. As an alternative for most labels, Breakdown Records has the intention to sell its products at lower prices.