CD Mastering engineering - what are the typical costs and merits?

Heartfeltdawn

John_A said:

@heartfeltdawn Thanks for the input, I'll go with the home mastered versions for the CD, it's only to get pub gigs so not getting the pros involved To be fair to Lanr, the home versions are EQd a bit different, and I did use the MAX setting on Landr, they also offer some more subtle versions

I'd be scared if they offered less subtle versions  ) I love a more sympathetic mix, one that doesn't ramp everything up. i think you can guess what end of the fader I'm at when it comes to the loudness war. 

thomasross20

Listen to these:

http://www.discmakers.com/soundlab/audiosamples.asp

I reckon the biggest difference is that they accentuate the bass a bit more, but I'm likely massively oversimplifying things.