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Generally, we regard the "level wars," or the attempt to get ever increasingly hot levels to CD, as a prescription for distorted and fatiguing music. Many albums are released at levels which sound fine on CD and radio (listen to Norah Jones 8 X platinum Come Away With Me for an example of acoustic pop music mastered to a level entirely suited for broadcast). However, what about those styles of music where absolute volume to CD is a big part of the "sound?" Enter HotMaster(tm):

Developed exclusively for Rap and Hip-Hop artists desiring the hottest levels to CD possible, HotMaster(tm) can deliver levels to CD as hot as any on the planet, and still retain acceptably low levels of audible distortion. This trademarked three-stage process includes a certified red-book compliant pre-master with copy at no extra cost, as well as one set of radio-broadcast masters for all singles on the album as well as for instrumentals-only and vocals-only tracks if they are provided by the mix engineer. These disks are provided in the HotMaster(tm) package, but only the HotMaster(tm) disk is sealed and warranted. In addition, you should listen carefully to ALL disks to verify them before getting radio singles or instrumentals replicated or duplicated. Extra disks are available for a $10 labor fee which you may verify. Extra verified pre-master disks incur a $200 labor charge.

Why separate mastering for broadcast from mastering for CD? Listen to any Rap or Hip-Hop radio station in your car or home for a few hours at a comfortable listening level. You will notice that some of the songs come through a bit dull and lifeless with little thunderous low-end we've all come to expect from these genres. Paradoxically, were you to listen to these very same songs played off the same CDs rather than off the radio, they would prove to be extremely hot. The broadcast processors detect the hot levels and push the overall level of the song down. Conversely, a song that sounds great on the radio might sound low in volume on random rotation in your turntable with hot CDs, at comparable amplifier volume levels.

The HotMaster(tm) process was developed by David Truran in collaboration with Philip Moore, one of the hottest young producers on the Rap/Hip-Hop scene. Should you choose HotMastering(tm), a print-ready version of the HotMaster logo will be provided should you wish to include this on your disk or paper. If hot is what you've got, HotMaster(tm) will enable you to bring a product to market with very long legs, indeed.

Warning: Albums mastered with the HotMaster(tm) process ARE dangerous to audio equipment, as are all CDs mastered to these levels. The shape of the waves can tax audio equipment and potentially damage it if played too loud. Loud volume can also be dangerous to YOUR HEARING. OSHA (occupational safety health administration) standards make it clear that loud sound can hurt, so given the chart below, never listen to an album at a loud level more than an hour or so a day. ALWAYS USE DISCRETION WHEN LISTENING TO MUSIC AT LOUD LEVELS - PROTECT YOUR EARS AND THOSE OF YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

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