Frequently Asked Questions

Mastering is the final stage of audio production. It is putting the finishing touches on a song by enhancing the overall sound, creating consistency across the whole album, and preparing it for distribution.

Mastering makes your sound cohesive across the record and prepares the music for different distribution formats, such as Vinyl, MP3/AAC, streaming services and broadcast. Mastering is necessary to create that “finished” sound that you hear everyday on television commercials, radio, streaming and CDs.

You can book a session through our booking page or through our contact form at the bottom of this page. After we've discussed the project and you've sent the files, I'll master the songs and upload audio files for your to download, listen to, and approve or request revisions. Communication is usually done via email.

My current turnaround from receiving the files to posting a first version is about a week. If you’re under a tight deadline, I’ll do my best to move things around to accommodate you. A rush fee may be added. If you are facing a tight deadline, please let me know in advance.

I prefer to leave some dynamic range to the music. However, the final choice is always yours.
My thought is that the master is the final version of your music, and this should be reflected in the sound. I want to provide you with a master that you’ll be happy to hear 20 years in the future, after the loudness wars are a distant memory. It’s a simple fact that pushing mixes past a certain point makes them sound worse (especially over broadcast and on straeming services), and I really don’t like to do it unless you want it that way. That being said, please let me know if maximum loudness is a priority for you. We are a client based mastering studio so your needs matter.

I can accept WAV or AIFF files for mastering. These should be stereo interleaved files, preferably at 24 bit and 44.1kHz or a higher sample rate. Please don’t limit or put an overall EQ on your mixes, and try to make sure there is no clipping or distortion on them. Also, there should be no reverb or other effects added to the file you are submitting. Leave a little headroom for me to work with. (-3 dbFS should be the maximum peak level) You can upload your files via WeTransfer or Google Drive, or send me a CDR/DVDR through the mail. Please prepend the two-digit track number to your file names:
• 01_the_cat’s_in_the_cradle.wav
• 02_Who_are_you.wav
• 03_the_cats_in_ the_cradle_long version.wav
This way I can see the track order without having to refer back to an external document.

$60 for one song, $45 for each additional song
Including
• One round of revisions
• 24 bit or 16 bit digital WAV files sent to you via WeTransfer.
You can use the Price Calculator on the booking page to estimate the cost of your project.
Payment can be via PayPal, check, or money order. You will be invoiced after you've approved the mastering job. I require payment in full before I deliver the final files.