A. Hammer Mastering

Specialties

Over 30 years of ears! Gary Hobish, a true Mastering Specialist. With satisfied clients worldwide, we take a musical approach to a technical art.

When you, your producer and engineers have put months– perhaps years– into your recordings, you need the fresh perspective and objectivity of a Mastering Specialist to put the final professional touch on your project.

Mastering is the last step between mixing and distribution (vinyl, CD, or download). It is the final opportunity you have to make any corrections or improvements to your mixes.

In Mastering, we can:

* Correct EQ imbalances

* Enhance the punchiness and bite of the mixes with judicious use of dynamics control

* Sequence and assemble the project

* Perform any last minute editing within songs

* Remove stray clicks, pops and other extraneous noises

* Apply final dynamic compression and volume limiting without compromising the immediacy and dynamic range of your music.

At A. Hammer Mastering, we combine the engineering expertise of a seasoned Mastering Specialist with the artistic sense of a working musician and the technology of a combined digital and analog mastering environment to give your album the best possible transition from the studio to the pressing plant. We can enhance your good work to make it great– all with completely professional results at rates you can afford.

We also specialize in audio restoration, reissue remastering, and mixing for both music and film.

History

Established in 1997.

Gary Hobish began Audio Mastering at Berkeley’s legendary Fantasy Studios in 1982, mastering LPs from the famed jazz catalogs of Milestone, Prestige, Pablo, Riverside and Contemporary Records from artists such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Art Pepper and hundreds of others, including the first CD issues of Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1984. He established A. Hammer Mastering in 1997 to better serve the independent musician.

Gary is a seasoned recording engineer, mixer and producer, and also an accomplished musician. His command of composition, arranging and performance are all aesthetics brought to bear in his mixing and mastering; He understands the musical journey involved in bringing your concept to completion and has the technical and musical savvy to help your project find its most expressive voice at a price you can afford.

Other available services including mixing, stem mixing/​mastering, video editing and audio post, and voiceovers.

Meet the Business Owner

Gary H.

Business Owner

Gary established himself in the recording studio world in 1975 at the famous Bell Sound Studios in New York City and continued in the field by joining with Berkeley’s Fantasy Studios in 1980, then managing several studios and working as an independent before establishing A. Hammer Mastering in 1997.

Gary has also been a working musician in the Bay Area since 1979 as a member of The Jars, The Spodee Odees and Vicious Fish, and has been a member of Piano Pop trio True Margrit since 1992.

Gary is the Audio Consultant to the San Francisco Silent Film Festival, a position he has proudly held for more than 17 years.

A. Hammer Mastering also recommends

GetReel Productions

4

reviews

Recording & Rehearsal Studios

Gary H. says,

«The first place I recommend to those artists who need to record their musical projects before bringing them to A. Hammer for final mastering.»