Mastering
How Can I Help You In Mastering?
In standard mastering, I can help you turn your final mix into a polished recording ready to be heard on all of today's listening platforms.
In this scenario, you send me a final mix ready for mastering in the form of a 44.1k,48k,88.2k or 96k 16,24 or 32-bit stereo WAV or AIFF file. The sample rate & bit depth should be the same as what the tracks were recorded at. Use 32bit if you are having trouble printing your final mix without clipping, or if using "in-the-box" processing in the mix.
You will be sent back a 44.1k 24bit master, a 44.1k 16bit CD master, and a 320Kbps MP3. I can also supply a DDP master for a small fee, if needed.
By applying processing such as EQ, Compression, and Saturation to the entire 2-track stereo audio file, I can shape the overall tonality, punch, energy, spatial width and loudness of the final mix.
If you are having me master an EP or full-length record, I will set the fades and space between songs on the album. I will also make sure there are no un-intended jarring sonic differences in level or tonality between songs on the record.
I'll work with you closely in mastering to make sure the final mix you send me stands up to all the big releases in your genre when I send it back to you.
If you decide to book me for a mixing project, I will include mastering for free with the price of mixing!
Free Mastering Sample
I understand how big of a decision it is to choose a mastering engineer. Whether or not you will trust a complete stranger with your music is always a difficult choice to make.
I see a great benefit to sending a song to a few different mastering engineers to see who can make your music sound the best, this also allows you to find someone you trust!
If given the opportunity to master your music, I'm confident I will be able to deliver the sound you are looking for, and am positive you will find my customer service to be a top priority throughout our time working together.
To see what I can do for your music in mastering, send over your song and I will provide two mastering samples for free. One master will have a greater overall volume, but less dynamic range, one master will be more dynamic and open, but with less volume overall.
If you like how these mastering samples sound, you will be able to purchase them and download the files immediately. Hit this button to get started!
Stem Mastering
What Is Stem Mastering?
An audio stem is a printed stereo audio file of a sub-mix of an element in a mix. For example, if you were to mix all the drum tracks together, then bounce the drum mix - then the resulting stereo audio file would be the 'drum stem'.
Stem Mastering allows me to apply processing to each stem individually. I then balance the mix of the stems and sum the stems together into a single stereo audio file using an analog summing box. I will then treat the resulting stereo audio file as I would in standard mastering and deliver you a final master, ready for release on all platforms.
Stem Mastering gives me much more control over the final master than standard mastering.
To guarantee a great end result that fits the artist's vision, stem mastering projects start off with a standard master on a final mix from the mixing engineer. This will ensure that I have a reference of levels in the mix when balancing stems, as well as to make sure I am in the right ballpark for the overall tonality of the final master. Once this standard master is approved, I will move on to stem mastering.
Mastered Stems
Can I Master Stems By Themselves?
Yes! In this scenario, I will be mastering each stem individually. I will then send you back these mastered stems to do with as you please.
Mastering stems is a great way to make sure the tracks you are using in your live performances sound great when played back through the venues' PA system. Bringing mastered stems to your show is an excellent way to give the live sound engineer an easy time making your set sound great. I'll make sure that bass drop shakes the entire block without blowing the speakers of the PA!
This workflow could be a good option for an artist who wants to mix & master their own music, or an artist on a very limited budget who still wants me to help in any way I can. This workflow is also helpful to those who plan to master with another engineer but need help polishing up the final mix first. Mastering stems will address the frequency issues and dynamics of the tracks so that the mix is easier to balance and print.
I am also willing to include mastered stems with all stem mastering projects for a small additional fee per song.
Get A Quote
If you are ready to contact me for project pricing for standard mastering or stem mastering, send me your contact info and the details of the project. Feel free to schedule a Zoom meeting on my calendar as well to discuss your project face to face.
I will be in touch with you with pricing as soon as possible!