How To Order:
How to Order Your Mixing or Mastering Project Online
Ordering mixing and mastering through our website is a quick and simple process. Just follow the steps below:
1 – Select Your Services
Select the services you need from the options under the “Order Now” page in the “Mixing and Mastering” section of the site’s navigation bar, or choose directly from the boxes on our homepage. Multiple items can be added by selecting the desired quantity on each product page under the product description.
2 – Proceed to Checkout
When you’re ready to check out, go to your cart and follow the easy checkout instructions.
3 – Download the Information File
After completing your order, you’ll be redirected back to the website. From there, navigate to the “My Account” page via the site’s navigation bar, open the “Orders” section, and download the PDF information file. This file explains how to correctly prepare and send your audio files to us.
4 – Send Us Your Files
Follow the instructions in the PDF carefully to submit your tracks.
If you experience any issues at any stage of the process, please contact us via our contact page – we’re always happy to help.
Note: It’s very important that you follow the guidelines below exactly. If your files are submitted in the wrong format, we won’t be able to complete your order and this may cause delays.
Important info to prepare your files for mastering:
To ensure your tracks are accepted for mastering, please follow these guidelines carefully.
No Clipping on Master Output
Make sure your sequencer’s master output channel is not clipping when exporting your track. Leave at least -2 dB of headroom on your final mix. Files without sufficient headroom will be refused. Please note: “I have lost the project file” is not a valid excuse – clipped files will not be mastered.
Turn Off Master Channel Effects
All effects on the master output channel (EQ, compression, etc.) must be turned off before bouncing your track. Effects on individual channels should remain as they are. To clarify, turn off FX/plug-ins on the master channel, but leave all channel effects on individual tracks enabled.
Export Your Track Correctly
Once your master output is clean and master effects are off, bounce your track to a stereo WAV file. Submit the file in the same resolution it was created at (16-bit projects as 16-bit, 24-bit as 24-bit, etc.). Mastered files are returned at 16-bit / 44.1 kHz.
File Naming
Name your files with the artist, track title, catalog number, and label where available. Recommended format:
Catalog number – Artist – Title – Label
Example:
36HTZ001A – DJ Vapour – Sting in the Tail – 36 Hertz Recordings.WAV
If you don’t have catalog numbers or label info, just include the artist name and track title.
Including Notes
If you have special instructions, preferred sound styles, or level requests, include them in the “Notes” section when placing your order. If missed, you can also include a text file or message when emailing your tracks.
Important: Do not place notes in the “Message” section of the file transfer, as these may be missed.
Sending Your Files
Instructions for sending your tracks, including our email address, are included in the PDF you download after placing your order.
For any questions or issues, please contact us via our Contact Page – we’re happy to help.
Getting tracks ready to send for mixdown:
To mix down your track, we require stem files. Stem files are the individual channels that make up your finished track, with each channel bounced as its own WAV file. This could include separate files for drums, percussion, vocals, and any other elements in your track. Stems should be stereo unless the channel is mono, in which case send a mono stem.
Your rough mixdown should already be in place – do not reset channel faders. Keep the levels as they were during your mix. Turn the master output channel down so the main volume sits around -2 dB and ensure the track is not clipping. Remove all EQ, compression, limiting, or other effects from the master output channel. Individual channel effects can remain as they are.
If you have grouped channels, follow these guidelines. For group channels with FX applied, send only the group stem, not the individual channels. If the group channel has no FX, send only the individual stems and do not include the group stem.
Do not boost your track or apply any pre-mastering. A clean master is easier to work with, and we will apply a natural loudness boost during mastering. The master output should not clip, and only the master channel needs adjustment – individual channels do not need to be boosted.
When exporting stems, make sure the left locator is at the start of the track and the right locator is at the end. Keep both locators fixed so all stems are the same length, even if a channel has silence at the start. Solo each channel and export it as a WAV file at the same resolution used during production, such as 16-bit or 24-bit. Many sequencers offer a batch export function – check your system as it can save time.
Name each stem clearly before exporting. Proper naming avoids setup delays and confusion.
Before sending your stems, set up an empty project and import all files to check them. This ensures nothing is missing or misaligned. Sending incorrect stems may incur a charge, as outlined in our Terms and Conditions. Checking the files beforehand is quick and prevents unnecessary delays.
Include any notes in a readme file with your stems if you have special instructions, desired levels, or preferred sound styles. This helps us deliver your desired final mixdown.
Instructions for sending stems, including our email address, are included in the downloadable PDF after placing your order. If you have any questions or encounter issues at any stage, contact us via our Contact Page – we are happy to help.
Sending tracks ready to send for vinyl mastering:
Please follow the same procedure for digital mastering as detailed above, but make sure to provide the specifications supplied by your chosen pressing plant or cutting house. Each manufacturer has different requirements for their processes, so you will need to confirm these with them before placing your order with us. Most manufacturers provide detailed instructions, which can be included with your pre-masters folder when sending your tracks to us.
Please note that the vinyl mastering process differs significantly from digital or analogue mastering. Unlike digital releases, vinyl has physical limitations, such as groove width, frequency range, and stereo separation. This means you will not be able to request a specific “sound” in the same way you might for a digital master. We must follow the technical guidelines provided by the pressing plant to ensure your record can be cut and played correctly. Adhering to these specifications helps prevent distortion, skipping, or other playback issues and ensures the best possible results on vinyl.
Sending DJ Mixes for mastering:
To send us your DJ mix, export your mix as a 44.1 kHz, 16-bit WAV file and submit it according to the instructions included in the ZIP file you download after placing your order.
When preparing your mix, ensure there is adequate headroom in your recording software. This allows sufficient dynamic range for mastering and prevents distortion. We recommend maintaining a headroom level of approximately -6 dB throughout your mix to give our engineers the flexibility needed to achieve a clean, professional master.
Taking the time to properly set your levels before submitting will help ensure the final mastered mix retains clarity, punch, and balance, and will prevent delays caused by needing to adjust levels after submission.
If you have any questions or encounter any issues during the submission process, please contact us via our Contact Page – we’re happy to provide guidance.