Why Work With Aerial?

“The art of listening translated to a sound aesthetic through technology.   It is beyond beautiful, it is alchemy.” 

 Sage Sevilla (after a mastering session with Alan)

As an artist working in today’s new normal of self-released recordings, it’s challenging enough to guide your music from concept to final mix, now you’ve got to find the right situation for mastering – a key decision that can make or break your project.

It’s especially daunting to choose a mastering engineer when this critically important final step is offered by practically anyone with a workstation.

Unless you’ve experienced mastering at its best, it’s hard to distinguish one offering from another.

Mastering at its best is an art, not an algorithm.

It is a passion, not a preset.

It is full-time, dedicated commitment to the craft, not an add-on.

I would like to share a few of the endearing responses from my artist clients:

“I felt as though I had heard my recordings for the first time.”  Judy Collins

“This was the most satisfying mastering experience of my life. Exquisite master, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

JD Souther (Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Eagles, NASHVILLE)

“Thank you! You are such an artist. You could eat the sound!”  Patricia Barber

“You did such amazing things with the sound — you are practically a member of the band!”  Nora York

“Wonderful! I’ve never heard mastering do what yours did. The music jumped off the page. What you do is breathtaking and magnificent.”

Jane Ira Bloom (Best Soprano Sax – Down Beat)

“The masters sound so full and yet dynamic they made me choke up I swear!! The mixes were great but the sound you gave them is insane!”

Charlie Rosen (8-Bit Big Band, TONY- nominated orchestrator)

“Hey Alan, I love these masters, I love hearing greater individual and group intention of the musicians. It was a blast hearing and feeling that depth and all the detail.”  Jeremy Kittel (2019 Grammy Nominee)

Reactions like these are the product of a lifetime career of deeply focused mastering experience. I feel fortunate and privileged to be the recipient of messages like these and I am grateful to the artists who place their trust in me.

“What is the secret for an artist to have a long career?  Quality – of everything you do.  Make quality the priority, not speed.  Speed is marketing, but you have to have something great to market.”

Jimmy Iovine (Apple Music / Interscope)

For the ultimate quality of your record, mastering born of deep experience is key. You’ll have the full advantage of my experience working on close to 10,000 tracks in my career, including over 80 Grammy nominated and winning albums,  and a history of prestigious, ground-breaking, successful releases. 

This level of work can go for rates well above my indie track deal. I get that indie artists face tough budget realities and I will work with you accordingly, open to the unique needs of your project.

You’ll have direct contact with me, not a booking manager or front desk person. Part of the responsibility to the art of mastering is having direct communication with the artist. Without this communication, a project can’t reach its fullest potential.

As a long-time client quipped recently:

 “Why would I risk not getting the most out of all that I’ve put into my music.”

I hope that we will work together to make your music sound the way it was meant to!

To get started reach out to aerialsound(at)aerialsound(d-t)com

        Best,

Alan Silverman

Founder – Aerial Sound

The Team

Alan Silverman

Alan Silverman is one of the most respected mastering engineers in the record industry. To date, he has mastered close to 10,000 tracks and garnered credits on 80+ Grammy-nominated and winning records. His work spans all genres of music from dancehall to symphony hall. Known for his dedication to excellence in recorded music, he has earned career-long trust from many of the world’s most accomplished musicians.

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Vitor Hirtsch (Mastering)

Since arriving in New York from Brazil in 2009, Vitor has been busy in audio production, recording, mixing, mastering and videography. He was the lead mixer of Live Mix at WERS 88.9 FM Boston, where he worked with diverse artists including James Iha, Tegan and Sara, First Aid Kit, Delta Rae, Ra Ra Riot, Milo Greene, Dawes, and many more. After receiving his master’s in Music Technology from NYU, Vitor joined the team at Aerial Sound. As a musician himself, he brings a very personal artistry and aesthetic to mastering. Besides working at Aerial Sound, he teaches audio production and works as a freelance recording and mixing engineer in NYC and abroad.

 

“Spending quality time with music and giving it your full attention is the only way to truly listen.  I feel lucky to work in an environment like Aerial Sound where listening is deeply valued and being diligent is the norm.” Vitor

Mike Tierney (Mixing)

Mike Tierney is a Grammy-nominated mixer and producer based in Brooklyn. With his broad background in jazz, composition, arranging, and music technology, he naturally bridges the gap between the art and technology of music, helping creators achieve their sonic goals on their terms. Mike’s work has spanned genres including jazz, folk, contemporary classical, indie rock, and everything in between. His list of client credits includes world-class greats Medeski, Martin & Wood, Pharaoh Sanders, Stanley Jordan, Judy Collins, Nobel Prize winner Julia Wolfe, Nels Cline, Alarm Will Sound and many more. Mike is also an accomplished bassist and multi-instrumentalist, and holds a master’s degree in Music Technology from NYU.

“Working with other musicians every day inspires me.  It’s a privilege and an honor to help artists realize their dreams and to reach listeners around the world.”  Mike

Ayla Favati (Mastering Assistant)

 

Ayla is a recent graduate of the Masters in Music Technology program at NYU’s Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions.  She is a classically trained vocalist and an avid music listener.  At NYU, she chaired SWITCH, the Society of Women in Technology.  Ayla started as an intern at Aerial Sound in January of 2020 and quickly moved up to the position of Assistant Mastering Engineer.

“In a masterclass video led by Joyce DiDonato, a prolific operatic soprano, she explains the importance of developing and trusting the process of singing, rather than focusing on the destination.  I recall it now because, in Mastering Engineering, compelling and beautiful results are only attainable through the careful implementation of process.  Collaboration and open communication are essential to the kind of process I strive for in reaching the best results for the artists entrusting me with mastering their music.” Ayla

Mastering

A great master makes the difference between music that sounds ‘good enough’ and music that truly touches, moves and inspires the listener.

In the right hands, a mix can be highly elevated in the mastering phase.  At Aerial Sound, we have a track record that has earned high praise from many of the world’s most accomplished artists.

We accommodate all release formats and enhance mixes to sound empowered, personal and detailed through real-world speakers and headphones. We use a combination of analog and digital gear, and as a hybrid studio, offer the best of both worlds for your masters.

  • Award winning masters for Digital, CD, LP, HD, and Apple Digital Music
  • Organic Analog ™ vacuum tube based EQs and Compressors
  • Audiophile-grade monitors and converters
  • Original creative techniques

Click here to see who we’ve worked with.

Live Record Production

In 2018, a show or concert production “didn’t happen” if it wasn’t captured beautifully on video, with a high-quality audio mix that goes beyond the microphones built into DSLR cameras.

Aerial Sound arrives before the band,  mic’ing the stage for the best capture, and bringing video personnel who can highlight your performance in HD. In the post-production phase, whether it’s color treatment or mixing, we have a top team of staff and freelancers who can make any artist look and sound their best, in venues large or small.