Mastering for us
Archive Mastering is a leading provider of mastering for artists operating in the modern independent music ecosystem.
Founder J. LaPointe is a 13x JUNO nominated mastering engineer. He has spent a lifetime as a trusted collaborator of culturally significant artists in genres encompassing indie, folk, jazz, punk, hardcore, metal, EDM, underground hip hop and more.
Working from Canada’s only Northward Acoustics FTB mastering suite in the woods just outside Halifax, Nova Scotia, we’re remote yet globally connected. With over 5.8k mastering credits to date, we’ve helped artists from 30+ countries build audiences of millions of listeners.
Our studio: a spaceship in the woods
We work in a mastering suite designed for us by the world’s leading studio designer, Thomas Jouanjean of Brussels-based Northward Acoustics.
Northward FTB rooms are renowned worldwide as the holy grail of listening environments, and our workspace gives us the distinct advantage of being able to make bold decisions with absolute certainty - whether that’s pushing your music into new territory, or knowing when to leave well enough alone.
Our analog signal path is completely custom. Designed by J. LaPointe to work as an integrated system with our Merging Technologies converters, it features a dual signal path with the option of colourful tube, transformer, and inductor based eq, or a completely passive design that achieves full analog eq capabilities without adding a single amplifier to the signal path, outperforming any off-the-shelf mastering equipment available today.
Weiss EQ1 MK2 and DS1 MK3 digital hardware complements the analog chain, and we use the Merging Technologies Pyramix system for editing and master production.
Analog tape playback is via a custom ATR Services ATR-102, with both 1/2” and 1/4” capabilities. Supporting infrastructure includes dedicated transformer isolated electrical service, and numerous network, AES, and analog patch points for easy client connections.
Awards & Recognition
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Cassie and Maggie Gold and Coal | 2026 Traditional Roots Album of the Year
Jah'Mila Roots Girl | 2024 Reggae Recording of the Year
Alan Doyle Back To The Harbour | 2022 Traditional Roots Album of the Year
Cassie and Maggie The Willow Collection | 2018 Traditional Roots Album of the Year
Joel Plaskett The Park Avenue Sobriety Test | 2016 Adult Alternative Album of the Year
Mo Kenney In My Dreams | 2016 Adult Alternative Album of the Year
Jenn Grant Compostela | 2015 Adult Alternative Album of the Year
Jenn Grant Compostela | 2015 Songwriter of the Year
James Hill The Old Silo | 2015 Roots and Traditional Album of the Year (solo)
Dave Gunning A Tribute to John Allan Cameron | 2012 Roots and Traditional Album of the Year (solo)
Joel Plaskett Three | 2010 Adult Alternative Album of the Year (winner)
Joel Plaskett Three | 2010 Songwriter of the Year
Garrett Mason Love & Sound | 2009 Blues Album of the Year
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50 nominations | 12 wins
Cassie and Maggie Gold and Coal | 2026 Ensemble of the Year (winner)
Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers Marks on the Ground | 2025 Indigenous Songwriter(s) of the Year (winner)
The Bombadils Dear Friend | 2024 Vocal Group of the Year (winner)
Don Ross Water | 2024 Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year
Shannon Quinn & Tony Quinn 20 Summers | 2023 Instrumental Group of the Year
Lennie Gallant Time Travel | 2020 Contemporary Album of the Year
Catherine MacLellan If It’s Alright With You: The Songs of Gene MacLellan | 2018 Solo Artist of the Year
Cassie and Maggie The Willow Collection | 2017 Traditional Album of the Year (winner)
Jenn Grant Compostela | 2015 Contemporary Album of the Year
Mo Kenney Mo Kenney | 2013 New / Emerging Artist(s) of the Year (winner)
Gypsophilia Constellation | 2012 Instrumental Group of the Year
Dave Gunning a tribute to John Allan Cameron | 2011 Traditional Singer of the Year + New/Emerging Artist(s) of the Year (2x winner)
Joel Plaskett Three | 2009 Contemporary Album of the Year (winner)
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Aquakultre Legacy | 2020 long list
Joel Plaskett 44 | 2020 long list
Joel Plaskett The Park Avenue Sobriety Test | 2015 long list
Al Tuck Stranger at the Wake | 2013 long list
Joel Plaskett Emergency Scrappy Happiness | 2012 long list
Joel Plaskett Three | 2009 short list
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250+ nominations | 52 wins
