Users
Skywalk
Mastering, Trierweiler/Germany
www.skywalk.de
Skywalk
Mastering is the audio division of Imagion AG. Located in Trierweiler,
Germany, it is one of the first such studios in Europe. Since 1997, Skywalk
has been in charge of implementing numerous national an international
music and motion picture DVDs.
Among those productions rank music titles such as, Nena's “Nena feat.
Nena”, Herbert Grönemeyer's “Mensch”, Sasha, “Livebeats”,
Marius Müller-Westernhagen's “In den Wahnsinn”, BAP's “Överall”,
all of the PUR DVDs, the Scorpions, John Lord and many others. Examples
of motion picture productions realized are “James Bond – Die
Another Day”, “Schuh des Manitu”, “Good Bye Lenin”,
“The Fifth Element”, “Hannibal”, to name just a few.
The above picture shows the Skywalk Mastering-Team in their newly designed and extended mastering studio (from left to right): Thomas Gerten, Marko Schneider and Michael Becker.
Because of the ever increasing need for a regarding highly creative Surround-Mastering in high definition audio formats such as DVD audio, DVD video and SACD, Skywalk Mastering’s enlargement has improved its features in a number of critical areas, such as the construction of an absolutely neutral and level-firm return & input chain for surround and stereo applications, including routing possibilities for at least four surround inputs. Also placed at the forefront of its product requirement specifications were indispensable solo listening functions such as “Solo to Center” or “LFE to LCR” for generating a professional work environment during the surround mastering process and for the material evaluation, in addition to refined specifications for the selection of different return & input chains and monitor outputs.
Michael Becker of Skywalk Mastering says, “When we heard, that SPL had planned to launch a smaller version of the Multichannel-Mastering-Console MMC1 this year—but based on unchanged technical specifications (called the MMC2, picture at left above the keyboard), we became very interested—no other company has manufactured mastering consoles on such a high level before”.
During the developmental period of the MMC2, there has been a close, co-operative commitment between Skywalk Mastering and SPL. Hermann Gier, SPL Product-Manager, says, “Having already developed the MMC1, we were very interested in a cooperative effort with a potential and future user of our technology. In developing the MMC2, we had to bundle a package from the most important functions of the MMC1 which could prove its value on any on-road test.”
The central
focus was therefore on a highest quality possible master chain with the
ability to control different levels before and after the insert chain
in order to be able to make level adjustments at any time at the highest
audio mastering stage.
A main fader in the master chain permits both complete fade and gain adjustments
during the mastering process. All circuit functions, (such as the before
and after Insert trim controller or the master fader), can be taken completely
out of recording chain in order to avoid unnecessary signal paths.
Michael Becker, has expressed his satisfaction with the MMC2 implementation, saying, “We are now able to show all of the manifold sound nuances of a 5.1 mix authentically and at any time in our new mastering studio.”
Already during the mastering of the first DVD productions in the new studio (Die Toten Hosen/“Rock am Ring 2004 Live” and Spider Murphy Gang/“Unplugged”) the MMC2 gave a thoroughly convincing performance. Due to its tremendous precision, the MMC2 can generate new head space and playgrounds for creative audio mastering in connection with high definition outboard equipment, for example, with such as SPL’s PQ mastering equalizer.”
In addition to the MMC2, Skywalk Mastering is using from SPL’s product line, a LOUDNESS MAXIMIZER, a TUBE VITALIZER and a KULTUBE combined with a surround set of three PQ MASTERING EQUALIZER (including a remote unit).
