MIX-MASTERING

STEM MASTERING REASONS 

• Enhanced Control: By working with individual stems (like vocals, drums, bass, etc.), the mastering engineer has more control over the final sound. This allows for precise adjustments to each element, ensuring a balanced and polished mix.

• Improved Clarity: Stem mastering can help in achieving better clarity and separation between different elements of the track. This is particularly useful for complex mixes where certain instruments might otherwise get lost.

• Flexibility: It provides greater flexibility in addressing specific issues within the mix. For example, if the vocals need more presence or the bass needs to be tightened, these adjustments can be made without affecting the rest of the mix.

• Creative Enhancements: Stem mastering allows for creative enhancements, such as adding effects or processing to individual stems, which can significantly enhance the overall sound and feel of the track.

• Consistency Across Versions: When creating different versions of a track (e.g., instrumental, acapella), stem mastering ensures consistency in quality and sound across all versions.

MASTERING BENEFITS

Professional mastering offers several key benefits that can significantly enhance the quality and impact of your music:

• Sonic Enhancement: Mastering engineers use specialized equipment and techniques to improve the overall sound quality of your tracks. This includes precision EQ, compression, limiting, and noise removal, ensuring your music sounds polished and professional
• Consistency: Professional mastering ensures that all tracks on an album have a uniform sound, maintaining a cohesive listening experience. This consistency is crucial for creating a seamless flow from one track to the next.
• Translation: Mastering improves how well your music translates across different playback systems, from high-end stereo systems to earbuds. This ensures your tracks sound great no matter where they are played.
• Volume Level: Mastering increases the average volume level of your tracks while preserving their dynamic range. This makes your music competitive with commercially released songs, ensuring it stands out.
• Objective Perspective: A mastering engineer provides an unbiased, fresh perspective on your mix, identifying and correcting flaws that you might have missed. This critical evaluation is essential for achieving a balanced and polished final product
• Industry Standards Compliance: Professional mastering ensures your music meets industry standards for audio quality and format optimization, making it suitable for various platforms and distribution channels
• Error Detection and Correction: Mastering engineers can detect and correct errors in your mix, such as phase issues or unwanted noise, ensuring the final product is free of technical flaws

Overall, professional mastering is a vital step in the music production process that enhances the listener experience and ensures your music is ready for release.

FILES PREPARED FOR MIX

Guidelines for Preparing Your Tracks for Mixing:

• Provide the BPM of the track.
• Deliver files in the same format as your session, typically 44.1kHz 24bit, with no dithering or conversion.
• Deliver tracks with stereo information in stereo and tracks with mono information in mono.
• Name all files appropriately (e.g., Kick, Snare, HiHat) instead of generic names like Audio 1, Audio 2, Audio 3.
• Comp your tracks so that the same instrument or vocal is not spread across multiple tracks (e.g., lead vocal verse 1, lead vocal verse 2).
• Deliver instrument tracks processed. If unsure, provide both processed and unprocessed versions.
• Deliver vocal tracks tuned but dry and unprocessed, unless the processing is crucial to the sound. If unsure, provide both processed and unprocessed versions.
• Complete all editing beforehand (crossfades, breaks, vocal cleanup, etc.).
• Complete all tuning beforehand. If needed, we can arrange tuning for an extra cost. Please bond-us for pricing.
• Keep filter automation.
• Maintain your volume settings, ensuring nothing is clipping and leaving at least 6 dB headroom or more.
• Check the bounced/exported files before sending them to ensure nothing is missing and everything is playing correctly.
• Include your latest approved rough mix and a couple of reference tracks, along with your thoughts on how you want the mix to sound.
• Zip and send the files via an upload client such as WeTransfer.

FILES PREPARED FOR STEM

Guidelines for Preparing Your Tracks for Stem:

• Provide the BPM of the track.
• Deliver files in the same format as your session, typically 44.1kHz 24bit, with no dithering or conversion.
• Deliver tracks with stereo information in stereo and tracks with mono information in mono.
• Name all files appropriately (e.g., Kick, Snare, HiHat) instead of generic names like Audio 1, Audio 2, Audio 3.
• Comp your tracks so that the same instrument or vocal is not spread across multiple tracks (e.g., lead vocal verse 1, lead vocal verse 2).
• Deliver instrument tracks processed. If unsure, provide both processed and unprocessed versions.
• Deliver vocal tracks tuned but dry and unprocessed, unless the processing is crucial to the sound. If unsure, provide both processed and unprocessed versions.
• Complete all editing beforehand (crossfades, breaks, vocal cleanup, etc.).
• Complete all tuning beforehand. If needed, we can arrange tuning for an extra cost. Please bond-us for pricing.
• Keep filter automation.
• Maintain your volume settings, ensuring nothing is clipping and leaving at least 6 dB headroom or more.
• Check the bounced/exported files before sending them to ensure nothing is missing and everything is playing correctly.
• Include your latest approved rough mix and a couple of reference tracks, along with your thoughts on how you want the mix to sound.
• Zip and send the files via an upload client such as WeTransfer.

FILES PREPARED FOR MASTERING

Guidelines for Preparing Your Tracks for Mastering:

• • Deliver files in the same format as your session, typically 44.1kHz 24bit, with no dithering or conversion.
  • Remove all master bus processing/plugins.
  • Ensure nothing is clipping/distorting and leave at least 6 dB of headroom.
  • Remove fade-ins and fade-outs, but keep them on the rough master for reference.
  • Check the bounced/exported files before sending them to mastering to ensure nothing is missing and everything is playing correctly.
  • Include your latest approved rough master and a couple of reference tracks, along with your thoughts on how you want the master to sound. If you'd like my feedback on how to improve your mix, you can send me your final mix, and I will provide comments free of charge.
  • Zip and send the files via an upload client such as WeTransfer.

INVOICE

Before entering into an agreement, a written offer/estimate for the task will be sent.

• Acceptance of the offer: When the offer/estimate has been accepted, an invoice will be sent, which must be paid according to the agreed terms stated in the agreement.
• First payment: The first payment must always be received no later than 8 days before the work commences.
• Start of work: The work will begin after receipt of payment or as otherwise agreed.

Disclaimer:

• Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made within 7 days of the scheduled date will incur a charge of 100% of the fee.
• File Approval: It is the client's responsibility to thoroughly review and approve all files received from us prior to release. We shall not be held liable for any errors or mistakes that have not been reported to us.
• Indemnification: By utilizing our services, the client agrees to indemnify and hold us harmless from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from errors or omissions in the provided files.
• Limitation of Liability: Our liability for any damages resulting from the use of our services is limited to the amount paid for the service.
• Waiver: The failure to enforce any provision of this disclaimer shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision herein.