Preparing your mix for mastering
Send a stereo WAV file at the mix resolution, 24-bit minimum, with no limiter or maximiser on the main bus. Leave roughly three to six decibels of headroom below digital zero. Don't trim the start or end of the song too tightly: we handle fades and silences ourselves. If you want to keep a particular bus process, send two versions, with and without.
For an EP or album, give the running order, the transitions you want and the tracks that should run without a gap. Include your references and, if possible, the rough mix you liked at home: it helps us understand what you expect.
Loudness and platforms
Streaming platforms normalise playback volume: a track mastered very loud will simply be turned down, having lost dynamics along the way. So we aim for a level suited to your style and audience, loud when the aesthetic calls for it, more open for jazz, acoustic or classical music. We also watch true peaks to avoid distortion when converting to compressed formats.
Our article on master formats explains these notions simply, with the points to check before sending your files to a distributor.
CD, DDP and vinyl
For CD replication, the plant usually expects a DDP file: an image of the disc containing the audio, running order, gaps, ISRC codes and the EAN barcode if you have them. We create this file as an option and provide a check file so you can verify the result. ISRC codes are assigned by you or your distributor; we embed them as you supply them.
For vinyl, cutting imposes physical constraints: low frequencies must be centred, sibilance controlled, and the running time per side affects the achievable level. We prepare a pre-master adapted per side, as an option, and can talk directly with the cutting room.
The revision round
Mastering includes one round of revisions. Listen to the files on several systems and group your notes: "track 3 slightly brighter than the others", "end fade too long on track 5". If a note actually concerns the mix, a vocal balance for instance, we tell you: sometimes it is better to fix the mix than force the master.
Extra rounds are charged for the time spent, on prior quote. If you send a new mix after mastering, it is treated as a new track.
Attending the mastering session
You can attend the session in the control room. It is often an opportunity to hear your project for the first time on reference monitoring in a treated room. We explain our choices and confirm the running order and transitions together. Most masters, however, are done remotely, with discussions by email.
Rates
Mastering a single track costs €55 including VAT. For an EP of four to six tracks, the package is €240 including VAT. The DDP file for CD replication is an option at €40, and the vinyl pre-master €25 per side. For an album we quote based on the number of tracks and the target media. Usual turnaround is three to five working days after receiving complete files.
What mastering does not do
Mastering works on the final stereo mix: it cannot bring up a vocal buried in guitars without affecting everything else, nor remove a flaw present on a single track. If we spot such a problem, we tell you before starting and, if you wish, suggest stem mastering or revisiting the mix. That honesty saves you time and money.
Stem mastering means sending four to eight grouped stereo tracks, such as drums, bass, music and vocals, instead of a single mix. It gives a little more control over balance at the final stage, and it is quoted separately depending on the number of stems.
What is included
- Full listen to the project
- Equalisation, dynamics and level
- Fades, gaps and transitions
- Files for streaming
- 1 round of revisions
- Checks on several playback systems