Dangerous Music Master

Before co-founding Dangerous Music, Chris Muth, became an industry legend, notorious for custom mastering consoles in the most prestigious studios. Decades later, these consoles are still coveted for their inconceivable headroom, robust sound and transparent sonics – characteristics demanded by top-tier pros. Costing unimaginable dollars, those legendary consoles have since mastered thousands of hit records. Dangerous Music’s Master brings Muth’s foundation design to the public at a cost-effective price for the first time, quickly becoming a staple in mastering rooms everywhere. Through extensive research, development and design they were able to deliver the Master in just two rack spaces without sacrificing sound or build quality. Since its introduction, the Master has maintained the Muth legacy – as well as the endless stream of hits to pass through his circuits.

Individual L-R input level controls deliver perfect control of the stereo image, subtly offsetting for any embedded imbalances in the mix. These controls use stepped attenuators that offer 0.5 dB steps with .01dB of gain-tracking precision between channels for optimum stereo imaging at all volumes. The profound craftsmanship of working in analogue is gain-staging, and the Master’s distinct input controls empower you to repeatedly find your outboard gear’s sweet spot and counteract at the main stereo output stage feeding your recording A/D converter, tape machine, or other capture device for perfect sound.

Input monitor offset is another critical feature, allowing you to match levels between your processed signal (output) and unprocessed signal (input) and thus make comparative judgements without misleading volume changes. Once input and output levels are matched, simply use the In/Out switch to objectively contrast your mastering work against the original. Additionally, you can more precisely use a peak-over-average meter array (such as the one found in the Dangerous Music Convert-2 mastering D/A converter) to visually confirm your master’s loudness density – all are important tactics used by top professionals to delicately manage the creation of a thoroughly professional production master.

If the Master’s three insert points aren’t enough to handle a more elaborate mastering rig, you can deploy the Master in alongside Dangerous Music’s potent Liaison to patch in even more analogue equipment at the touch of a button. For example, by inserting the Liaison’s two stereo busses onto two of the Master’s insert loops, you’ve expanded from three to seven stereo inserts while simultaneously introducing analogue-domain parallel processing, button-enabled signal rerouting and instant patch recalls. You’ll get the speed and ease of digital-style recall from your analogue gear.