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[bblackwood]

http://www.sonicscoop.com/2011/05/10/mastering-moves-vlado-meller-exits-universal-joins-masterdisk/

Big coup by Scott Hull here. I have to admit, I doubted Scott's sanity when he bought Masterdisk, but he's done a great job with it. Congrats to Scott and Vlado.

[lowland]

What were the problems at the time of Scott's acquisition, would you say Brad? I don't know much about Masterdisk except that Bob Ludwig worked there quite some time ago!

Good to see Vlado carrying on, love what I've heard of his work away from the loudness wars.

[Allen Corneau]

What were the problems at the time of Scott's acquisition, would you say Brad?

Scott posted up with some of the Masterdisk history on a recent GS thread that may shed some light. (Start at post #70 and read from there.)

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/mastering-forum/601990-howie-weinberg-mastering-snoop-doggs-winning-video-3.html#post6569678

[lowland]

Thanks Allen.

Chris Athens' assessment and Scott's follow-up post paint quite a picture, don't they? I've seen recording studios get that way but never a mastering room. Things must really have been allowed to slide, and the acumen to see something others haven't is quite a gift.

On the first episode of the current UK series of 'The Apprentice' last night, Lord Sugar mentioned that he could do something similar when visiting electronics factories - he's a dollar billionaire, so it hasn't apparently done him any harm.

[bblackwood]

For me, it was two-fold:
1- the condition of Masterdisk at the time and
2- trying to build / rebuild a multi-room complex in Manhattan with the current state of the industry.

I honestly thought it was a mistake, but Scott has done it (and done well). Props to him and all involved.

[Tim Boyce]

Thanks Brad. I'll forward this along to Scott : I bet it'll make him smile.

The man sure works hard to make it all happen!

And it's nice having Vlado around, real nice cat! lots of fun around here these days.

[Greg Reierson]

Thanks Brad. I'll forward this along to Scott : I bet it'll make him smile.

Now all Scott needs is a Jerry Seinfeld style parking garage. That would really make him smile!


GR

[Scott Hull]

http://www.sonicscoop.com/2011/05/10/mastering-moves-vlado-meller-exits-universal-joins-masterdisk/

Big coup by Scott Hull here. I have to admit, I doubted Scott's sanity when he bought Masterdisk, but he's done a great job with it. Congrats to Scott and Vlado.

Thanks Brad,

It's been a hairy ride.  I doubt it's over.   
As it turns out i'm just dumb enough to think I can do anything

all the best,
Scott

[Scott Hull]

Now all Scott needs is a Jerry Seinfeld style parking garage. That would really make him smile!


GR

you know it - Volvo only parking though.

[bblackwood]

Thanks Brad,

It's been a hairy ride.  I doubt it's over.   
As it turns out i'm just dumb enough to think I can do anything

all the best,
Scott

Welcome, Scott.

I swear, you must clang when you walk.

Keep up the great work.

[Allen Corneau]

I find this part very interesting...

"Anyone who has worked with Vlado in the past will be pleased to know that he brings his assistant engineer Mark Santangelo and booking manager Peter Cho into his new position. The three have worked as a team together for ten years."


I've never worked in this higher-end environment so I'm not sure how this works. Does Mark and Peter now work for Masterdisk (as a stipulation of Vlado's signing on with MD) or do they work directy for, and get paid by, Vlado?

Just curious, really.

[Scott Hull]

I've never worked in this higher-end environment so I'm not sure how this works. Does Mark and Peter now work for Masterdisk (as a stipulation of Vlado's signing on with MD) or do they work directy for, and get paid by, Vlado?

It's pretty simple.  To get the best use out of the expensive rooms, we use assistants to load in files, upload files, make edits, do quality control passes, make labels, make coffee etc..   So the main engineer stays busy mastering and making money while the rest of the work is managed by others.  I was Bob's assistant and kept an edit room busy all day and night to keep up with his eq work.

Their actual "deal" is a private matter, but it's not unusual for engineers to take their booking managers and assistants with them when they move. It helps keep the clients happy with the continuity from one studio to the next. 

[Allen Corneau]

Thanks for the insight, Scott.

I wasn't looking for real dollar figures, just trying to understand the structure of such an arrangement.

Congratulations on doing so well!

[PBM]

It's pretty simple.  To get the best use out of the expensive rooms, we use assistants to load in files, upload files, make edits, do quality control passes, make labels, make coffee etc..   So the main engineer stays busy mastering and making money while the rest of the work is managed by others.  I was Bob's assistant and kept an edit room busy all day and night to keep up with his eq work.

Their actual "deal" is a private matter, but it's not unusual for engineers to take their booking managers and assistants with them when they move. It helps keep the clients happy with the continuity from one studio to the next.

Nice arrangement. The same seems to go through for other ancillary staff that make the mastering task easier. I know that growth over this past year is partly due to us now having a dedicated business manager who does the marketing, web stuff, finance, Companies House biz and all the rest. I get up every day and do mastering, and only mastering. It's very nice ...

Cheers,

Eric
 

[Waltz Mastering]

Nice arrangement. The same seems to go through for other ancillary staff that make the mastering task easier. I know that growth over this past year is partly due to us now having a dedicated business manager who does the marketing, web stuff, finance, Companies House biz and all the rest. I get up every day and do mastering, and only mastering. It's very nice
...

Cheers,

Eric

In the respect of having a business manager...for un-attended sessions, do you communicate directly with the client at all as far as feedback etc. or is that channeled through the manager?

The reason I ask is,  one of the payoffs for me is getting the feedback first hand.

In a multi room facility, I can see the need for someone to control the traffic, run the books etc, but in a one room facility I see it more of a unique situation albeit still beneficial in some aspects.

[Jerry Tubb]

Welcome, Scott.

I swear, you must clang when you walk.

Keep up the great work.

Oh! I just got the reference.

It involves a pair of round objects made of brass!

Yes, congrats & best wishes to Scott & Vlado.

And any other ME who runs a dedicated facility, it does take some brass cojones!

JT

[adamgonsa]

There's a new episode of Square Cad up featuring an interview with Scott about his acquisition of Masterdisk, the place he sees for big manhattan studios, and some of the day-to-day of running that zoo.

Vlado is also mentioned, and his baller status is confirmed. 

Thanks to Scott for taking to the time to chat!

[Tim Boyce]

it's not so much like running a zoo .. Zoo's have rigid feeding times, and pretty animal handlers ;-)

Maybe a menagerie or animal sanctuary would be closer...


   Either way, we smell a lot better, and have A LOT more fun!

[adamgonsa]

Cool Tim, sanctuary it is.  Glad you guys are all having a great time!
BTW, "zoo" is a direct quote from Scott.  I didn't mean to malign the sanctuary.