Something called CD mastering is one of the best secrets of top studios now. Considering that most everything is mixed in the digital realm, top producers will do something called analog mastering. What happens is the digital version is put back to an analog signal in order to be mastered through original analog processors, though many times it is also recorded to an two-track machine in order to get the fatness that original analog tape gives to the sound. It also takes the brittleness away from digital recordings, and can round out the bottom end giving the low frequencies that signature analog sound.

There are pros and cons but the advantages are worth it. Layback mastering often does cost a little more than basic all digital mastering, as it takes more time and there are other costs for the analog tape, but for important projects, it can be the end step in accomplishing the best sound quality for the album. Since digital recordings sound cold to a lot of people because no matter how loud the sound gets, digital gives you accurate yet flat reproduction. Analog tape, however, saturates as the signal increases in level, so high-ends are smoothed over instead of clipping, which translates as a warm, fat feel as the harmonic series is smoothed over. It is a modified signal from the original which the human ear finds pleasing. Also, an increased input song will create a bigger difference. Since the top ranges saturate first, this means that as the signal increases, the highs naturally soften up a bit, resulting in a less harsh, and a more pleasing recording. This is the beauty of layback mastering.

There are many mastering studios around the world that have the tools to do layback mastering, however, it also requires you have a solid professional with the proven experience to get optimal end product possible with the tape machines. I have worked with a few mastering houses and one of top industry is www.stevethomasmastering.com. He is a top CD mastering engineer, yet he also has done 1000s of albums as a mixing engineer as well. In addition, his expertise is similar to some of the most expensive mastering studios in the United States. If you already have someone you are using that’s great. But, I would really encourage you to look him up.