Mixdown and Mastering

This simple website was created to answer all the frequent questions I get about what I do. Please take just 5 minutes of your time and it will avoid, you and I, some extra emails swapping as well as better end results!

All you need to know before we get started!

What exactly is mastering?

There’s a lot of confusion regarding the use of the term. According to Wikipedia, here’s a definition:

“Mastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device (the master); the source from which all copies will be produced (via methods such as pressing, duplication or replication). The format of choice these days is digital masters, although analog masters, such as audio tapes, are still being used by the manufacturing industry and a few engineers who specialize in analog mastering.”

So basically, mastering is preparing the sound to go for manufacturing. For vinyl, it means to create a lacquer that will be used to make the dub plate, then pressing the vinyl. It needs special equipment to do so, of course as there’s a physical work involved.

In my case, I do not make physical masters unless preparing a CD to go to production.

I do prepare your music for digital distribution (mp3, wav) by taking your music and make sound as possible to your favorite artist’s track.

This is called a pre-master.

How to prepare files?

There’s 3 ways we can work together.

A You send me your mixdown file through internet: -Bounce your track in 24 bits, 44hz, wav or aif file. -No compression or limiter. Make sure it doesn’t clip. -I need at least 3db of headroom -Zip all tracks individually. -Include a track you like that i can use as a reference.

B- You send me your mixdown in 2 sections: -You bounce in one file, all your tracks except the low end (kick, bass). -You then bounce your kick and bass only in a second file. -Respect all points of above.

C- I can do the whole mixdown of your track: -This means I either need all tracks individually from your mix or you send me your ableton or Logic files. -Make sure you collect all samples. -Zip the project.

What is headroom?

In the most simple term, your rendered mixdown should look like this (no compression and no limiter)

This is BAD!!!

There is nothing I can do with this.

Please note that i don’t start working until i feel comfortable with the material you sent me.

Pricing

My rates are based on time I spend on the work. I can do multiples versions of a track but then there will be a price in consequence too.

For each job, I can do up to 2 retouches on a final mix because sometimes, of course, i can make something that doesn’t exactly suits you. There’s no extras for retouches until we hit 3, then I will ask for over time.

Since i believe in the Netlabel scene, I offer special discounts to digital labels.

For exact prices, please contact me.

Examples

I run a label named Archipel. You can check the whole catalog as an example. I also worked with other nemerous labels out there.

If you still have questions, get in touch with me!