Got questions about how mastering works, how fast we turn things around, or how to send your files? Below we’ve got you covered – from the basics of mixing vs mastering, to payment, file formats, timelines, and how we do things behind the scenes. Dive in and if anything’s unclear, just shout.
What is Mastering?
Mastering is the final stage in the music production process – the step that gives your track a cohesive, professional finish and ensures it stands up alongside other commercial releases. You supply us with a pre-master of your mix, and we apply precise EQ, compression, limiting, and tonal adjustments to enhance clarity, balance, and loudness.
The goal is consistency and impact – making sure your track translates accurately across all playback systems, from streaming services and radio to club sound systems.
In simple terms: we take your finished mix and refine it to sound clean, loud, and release-ready, whether it’s destined for digital download, streaming, or vinyl.
What is Mixing?
Mixing is where your track really starts to come to life. It’s the process of taking all the individual elements from your production – drums, bass, vocals, synths, and everything in between – and blending them together into a balanced, dynamic whole.
During mixing, we fine-tune levels, EQ, compression, and stereo placement, adding effects where needed to give your track space, clarity, and energy. The aim is to make every sound work together perfectly before the mastering stage.
In layman’s terms: we take your individual stems and mix them down into one polished stereo WAV file, exported at -2 dB and ready for mastering (see above).
Is it for signed tracks only?
Not at all. We master music for anyone – whether you’re an established artist, an independent producer, or just want your tracks sounding their best for club play or label submissions.
We also master digital dubplates for DJs, making sure every track hits the right loudness and bass balance for club systems. There’s nothing worse than a tune that sounds too quiet or thin on a big rig – our mastering process fixes those issues, giving your tracks the weight and clarity they deserve.
Who handles my tracks?
Your tracks are handled exclusively by our mastering engineer, who treats every project with the strictest confidence. No files are ever sent to third parties. Unlike some “mastering” companies that outsource work, all of our orders are completed in-house, ensuring consistent quality and complete security.
How do I pay you for my mastering?
Payments through our website are made via PayPal, so you’ll need a PayPal account to complete your purchase online.
We also accept direct bank transfers – just get in touch via our contact page for details. For bank transfer orders, we’ll send you an invoice, and once your payment is confirmed and your files are sent, we’ll begin processing your order.
Additionally, we can accept cryptocurrency payments. If you’d like to pay with crypto, we can provide an invoice with all the necessary details upon request.
How can I send my tracks to you?
You can send your tracks to us via Smash, WeTransfer, or Dropbox – we recommend Smash, as it’s super fast and can handle files up to 2 GB for free. Please make sure to zip your tracks into a single folder before sending.
The email address for sending your files is included in the PDF you can download once your order is complete.
NOTE – We Transfer now only has a 3 day storage limit on free plans so if you send us tracks via them on a Friday they will most likely expire by Monday and will need resending.
Can I attend a mastering session?
Unfortunately, we don’t offer attended mastering sessions. Our process works on a first-come, first-served basis, so we can’t provide exact time windows for when each track will be mastered.
This approach allows us to focus on each track carefully and ensure the highest quality results without rushing the process. Rest assured, your tracks are in expert hands, and we’ll notify you as soon as your mastered files are ready for download.
How quickly can you master my track?
We work on a first-come, first-served basis, which allows us to offer a very quick turnaround. Orders placed Monday to Thursday are usually processed the next day, while orders placed on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday are typically processed on Monday. Most orders are completed within 24 hours of being placed, though some may take up to 48 hours. If you need your masters by a specific time, just let us know — we can often accommodate early or late sessions to get your tracks back to you faster.
How quickly can you mixdown my track?
Mixing generally takes longer than mastering, as it’s a more detailed and ongoing process. Once we receive your order, it can take up to a week to complete your mixdown, as test copies may need to be sent back and forth for feedback. Most mixdown orders are usually finished within five days. We’re happy to provide a more specific timeline when you place your order, so please get in touch if you’d like more information.
What formats can you master from?
We can master from a variety of formats, including WAV, AIFF, MP3 (not recommended), CD, cassette, DAT tape, MiniDisc, and even vinyl in rare cases. WAV is always the preferred format, so please try to provide your material in this format whenever possible. All files are converted in-house using high-quality equipment to ensure the best possible audio fidelity.
We can also convert vinyl, tape, CD, and DAT in-house using our top-of-the-range players and converters, so even older or analogue formats can be prepared perfectly for mastering.
Do you do credit?
All orders must be paid in full before any work begins, as we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. This ensures fairness and allows us to start each project promptly.
What format will you return my files as?
Mixed and/or mastered tracks are returned as standard stereo 16-bit, 44.1 kHz WAV files. If you would like your files supplied in a different format, just let us know and we’ll accommodate your request.
Can I request revisions to my mastered or mixed track?
Absolutely. We understand that sometimes tweaks are needed to get your track sounding exactly how you want it. If you feel something could be improved after receiving your master or mixdown, just get in touch and we’ll discuss your revision requests. Our goal is to make sure you’re completely happy with the final result.
Can you master to specific loudness standards?
We can master tracks to specific loudness targets, whether it’s for streaming platforms, radio, or vinyl. Just let us know any requirements when placing your order, and we’ll ensure your track meets the necessary standards while still sounding as full and dynamic as possible.
How will I receive my mastered files?
Once your tracks are complete, we return them via Smash or Dropbox, depending on file size. If you have a preferred delivery method, just let us know – we’re happy to accommodate your request to make sure receiving your finished tracks is as smooth and convenient as possible.
Do you offer rush or urgent mastering services?
If you need a track mastered quickly, we may be able to prioritize your order. While our standard turnaround is already fast, just get in touch with your requirements and we can discuss options for early or late sessions to get your tracks back to you as quickly as possible.
Do you offer bulk or album mastering discounts?
No – our prices are already designed to be affordable for all producers, whether you’re submitting a single track or multiple tracks. You’ll receive the same high-quality mastering at a fair price, every time.
Not sure about something? No problem! If your question isn’t covered above, drop us a message through our contact page. We’ll get back to you promptly and make sure you have all the info you need to get your tracks sounding their best.