Mastering

Why mastering stays separate

Mastering is deliberately split from mixing. While mixing, you focus on each stem; while mastering, you listen to the whole and to how the track sits next to others on a playlist. The same person can do both jobs, but not with the same ears at once: a fresh mastering pass avoids masking problems you just baked into the mix.

For singles, one solid master is often enough. For an EP or album, sequence matters just as much: choruses that feel related, ballads that do not jump in level, and gaps that work for vinyl side breaks.

Streaming, vinyl and broadcast

Streaming services normalise playback; pushing level harder does not always help and can increase pumping. We aim for healthy integrated loudness while keeping transients, so your track does not collapse after normalisation. For vinyl we discuss side length, bass mono and high-frequency treatment with your cutting engineer when needed.

Broadcast or advertising sync sometimes needs tighter true-peak limits than a standard release. Say so in the brief; we can deliver separate versions without replacing your artistic master if you need both.

What to deliver

Send a stereo mix as WAV, 24-bit, without a limiter on the master unless that is part of the sound we must keep. State sample rate, any ISRC wishes and whether you need explicit silence at the start or end for DJ or vinyl use. Multiple versions of one song (instrumental, clean, explicit) are mastered as separate titles at the single rate.

• References: commercial releases whose loudness or clarity you want to approach — avoid heavily limited mp3s unless that is intentional.
• EP or album order and any crossfades between tracks.
• Technical specs from your plant or aggregator if you already have them.

Our guides cover delivery rules further; for quick questions email [email protected].

Sequencing and the EP package

Four tracks released together fit an EP workflow: one mastering session where we match level and tone. The EP rate €320 covers four stereo masters with sequence tuning; extra songs or alternate versions are quoted per item or as add-ons in your offer.

If you add a bonus track later, we do not always need to redo everything: we can match the new title to existing masters when mix quality is comparable.

Stem exports after mastering

Sometimes you still need stereo stems after mastering for video, live playback or a third-party remix. Each extra stem per song is €45 incl. VAT — for example instrumental plus vocal, or a drums bus. These are derived exports from your approved master or an aligned mix bounce, not a multitrack remix.

Stem workflows overlap with the mix delivery guide; mastering stems are already at release level and less flexible to remix from scratch.

Revisions and expectations

2 revision rounds are included by default within the chosen medium spec. Notes like “slightly warmer mids” or “less hi-hat sizzle” fit that scope. Requests that belong in mixing (“re-record the guitar”) sit outside mastering and we point you to mixing or vocal recording.

We do not promise chart positions or streaming counts; we deliver according to article 11 of the terms and your written quote. Complaints go through Contact within 2 business days.

Rates including VAT

Guide prices for Mastering include 21% VAT. For comparison excl. VAT: €78.51 per stereo song.

30% deposit on confirmation; cancellation more than 7 days ahead follows our terms and conditions. Full service list: Services.

From our mix room to master

If you mixed with us in the control room across 3 studio spaces, we can often pull the mix internally without another upload. That saves time and avoids generation loss from extra bounces. We schedule mastering once mix revisions are finished so we are not revisiting the same song twice.

External mixes are equally welcome: many artists in Amsterdam and beyond send only the stereo file. Visiting for a listening session? From Amsterdam Centraal it is about a twelve-minute walk via Haarlemmerdijk; bus 22 serves Haarlemmerdijk (Bickersgracht stop). The entrance is on Grote Bickersstraat, next to the courtyard bike parking. We are open Mon–Fri 10–22, Sat 11–18, closed Sunday.

What mastering does not fix

Mastering cannot rescue a weak mix: overwhelming bass in the mix stays audible even if we trim it slightly. It does not replace arrangement, vocal tuning or noise reduction on bad recordings. Speech loudness for podcasts sits under podcast recording, not music mastering.

We do not distribute to Spotify, Apple Music or physical plants; we do deliver files that meet common aggregator specs. Sample clearance stays with you as rights holder — see also the FAQ for general studio policies.

Included

• Stereo master on dedicated monitors
• Loudness and true-peak check
• Streaming export (WAV)
• EP sequencing within EP rate
• 2 revision rounds in scope
• Short technical notes on delivery
• 24 months archive