Mayfield Mastering invests in PMC’s new MB3 monitors

Nashville mastering facility Mayfield Mastering has become one of the first studios to start using PMC’s MB3-XBD-A 3-way active main monitors, which were launched earlier this year at NAMM.

Mayfield Mastering was established in 1996 by recording and mix engineer John Mayfield in response to repeated requests from clients who wanted him to master their projects.

“The new MB3 system has been in my room for close to two months now and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results,” said Mayfield. “With the help of Maurice Patist (PMC USA’s president of sales and marketing), the room is now stunningly accurate. The upgrade was totally worth it.”

“After performing proper comparisons, the decision to go with PMC was easy,” continued Mayfield. “Upon learning that PMC had designed their own Class-D amplifiers and integrated them into their newly designed MB3 active system, I placed my order, sight unseen. Having been on PMCs for over 16 years, I knew this new system was going integrate into my room perfectly and be well worth the investment.

“Mastering requires rock solid and dependable aural representation of the product you are creating, therefore the monitors you use to represent that product must not ‘colour’ or skew that representation. If they do, then interpolation must be employed in every decision-making process. This greatly complicates the process and can lead to inconsistent results. I’ve never really had to interpolate when using PMCs but now, with the resolution I now have, the decision-making process is quicker, more absolute and extremely reliable,” he said.

I never thought I’d be able to use the term, but now I have a "perfect" marriage between room and monitor"

– John Mayfield

Another feature offered by the new MB3 monitors is advanced DSP, which optimises the response of the drivers and provides shelving EQ for in-room integration. Up to four presets are available and these can be accessed via a desktop remote control that allows input switching and shelving EQ adjustments to be made from the listening position without the need to constantly refer to the rear panel of the monitors.

Since installing his new MB3 system, John Mayfield has used them to master Naturally 7’s new album Both Sides Now for CD and vinyl release. He has also been mastering a big band Christmas album entitled That Christmas Feeling for new artist, Reta Watkins, which will be released in November through Naxos Records.

“Implementation of the RC1 (remote) allows for precise customisation to the users’ preferences, this is the icing on the cake for me,” Mayfield concluded. “I never thought I’d be able to use the term, but now I have a "perfect" marriage between room and monitor, and that’s all thanks to PMC – and to Maurice Patist.”

www.pmc-speakers.com

www.mayfieldmastering.com