Sending your audio
Audio can be supplied
- As soundfiles on data CD or DVD, data drive or via the internet – see ‘e-Mastering’ below
- On an audio CD
- On a vinyl record
Other formats by arrangement.
e-Mastering
You can send your tracks over the internet using a file-sharing service such as Wetransfer or Dropbox – files should preferably be 24-bit and at the original project sample rate. Mastered files will be returned for approval, with a master for manufacture or digital distribution provided to you or the manufacturer/distributor of your choice.
Vinyl pre-masters
There’s been a welcome trend towards releases on vinyl records alongside the CD version, or on vinyl alone – vinyl benefits from a 24-bit master without the loudness ‘tricks’ typical on a CD, giving the eventual cutting engineer freedom when making the transfer. We can recommend record pressing plants who include the cut as part of a manufacturing package, and also specialist cutting engineers: please contact us for further details.
Mix evaluation
We can evaluate your mixes if required, identifying things such as low frequency problems which can be adjusted before mastering to help achieve a better final result. There is no charge for this service to mastering customers.
Rates and payment
We usually charge per-track, and also offer package deals where appropriate. Extra time is charged at a flat rate.
Frequently asked questions
Can I attend my mastering session?
Attendees are welcome: if you’re in the UK and within reasonable travelling distance, we can usually arrange for you to be at your session.
Where can I get my CDs manufactured?
We recommend a number of UK brokers and factories to replicate CDs or duplicate CD-Rs from your finished master, all of whom offer value for money and good customer service.
How can I get my tracks on the internet?
If you’d prefer to to arrange digital distribution yourself rather than through an existing deal with a record label or other distributor, you’ll need a specialist gateway company called an ‘aggregator’. Our recommendation, with access to all the main digital players such as iTunes and Spotify, is Doxmedia.
What is audio mastering?
Audio mastering consists of listening to mixed audio and adjusting the sound where necessary; ensuring that the master will sound its best on the widest range of playback devices and where appropriate hangs together like an album rather than separate tracks; formatting it for manufacture or download. Finally, the master is error-checked and documented.
Why get my music mastered?
An experienced ME will help you show your music to its best advantage. The usual aim is to process the audio enough to make an improvement where necessary but not to do harm – as veteran ME Bob Olhsson has put it, ‘Mastering is the art of balancing objective degradation against subjective enhancement.’ There are times when little or nothing sonically needs doing, and others when a more radical approach is required: knowing the difference is part of an ME’s toolbox.
How loud will my tracks be?
Tracks mastered here are usually loud enough to be competitive within the relevant genre but not so loud as to unduly affect audio quality. A superloud master won’t necessarily sound better, in fact it’ll likely sound worse than a more dynamic version turned up to the same level on your Hi Fi. It’s also debatable that loud tracks broadcast better on the radio – the opposite is more likely to be true because of the level processing broadcasters use.
When mixing, should I add overall compression and/or EQ?
Not a problem, provided you like what it’s doing and process for sound rather than volume. Avoid using a loudness maximiser (digital limiter) across the mix, and where possible leave final loudness to the ME.
Where can I find out more about audio mastering?
We’re always pleased to advise on both project-related and more general mastering topics, just email or phone, and the Mastering Audio book by Bob Katz is also a good source of information.