Natural sounding masters with depth, width, fullness and lively transients

Mixes in any original digital format accepted, including DSD64/128/256 and up to 384kHz 64 bit float PCM. High resolution original files are welcome and encouraged. High resolution delivery formats available for superior quality digital release and archiving – MQA, up to DSD256 and PCM up to 384kHz / 64 bit float.

With increasing amount of projects being mixed in home studios in less than perfect conditions, stem mastering is gaining popularity as a way of producing masters with more life, dynamics and size than might be  possible with traditional stereo processing. It also allows less intrusive corrective processing on individual stems and slight balance adjustments without usual side-effects as with EQ and multi band compression on a stereo file. Typical examples would be an uneven bass line or cymbals which need controlling with multi band compression, or balance correction, e.g. adjusting bass or vocal levels slightly with EQ. Processing the stereo mix in this way also affects other instruments in the same range, losing separation and size as a side-effect. With stem mastering the individual instruments are accessible for processing or simple level adjustment without affecting anything else. This will generally produce a wider and “bigger” soundstage with better separation and dynamics.

In order to encourage  and promote this format, MQA encoding is also offered for masters produced by other engineers. The encoding process offers a selection of parameters to play with for best results for any given material – so not every MQA encode is the same. Different versions can be provided for client’s choice and approval prior to official release.

Although the studio was mainly set up for mastering, there is also a live room which can accommodate small bands and solo artists for up to 32 track recording in high resolution. For best possible audiophile quality results, recording, mixing and mastering packages are available with high end analog summing and processing. Please inquire to discuss the exact requirements for your project.

After working as a session musician and running his studio for 21 years in London, Sabian moved to Henley-On-Thames in 2011. New studio, purpose built from ground up, is a result of decades of research and experience – nothing was left to chance, from acoustics to cables. Sabian’s perfectionist nature and attention to detail in his work is equally present in studio design and choice of equipment. The current setup is a result of endless ‘hands-on’ testing of almost all commercially available, as well as some less known esoteric mastering equipment. Having a choice of analog processors (Eqs, Compressors etc) also means that, apart from getting the balance ‘right’, one can choose the sonic character best suited for given material. This should enhance the overall ‘vibe’ of the track if done right. Regardless to how many manufacturers claim ‘transparency’ of their equipment, there is always a sonic imprint or ‘flavour’ which can work well for the specific material – or not so well. 

As a classically trained musician from the age of eight (violin, piano) and later a session guitarist, Sabian’s live music experiences range from choirs and orchestras to jazz, fusion, funk and rock bands. Being proficient in all these musical styles is an indispensable asset for his mastering work. Although specialising in mastering, Sabian also performs and writes his own music and continues to work in all music production stages, from recording to mixing and mastering. Clients can benefit from decades of his studio and live music experience in all inclusive production deals tailored to their specific needs (see “Additional Services”).