Checklist

Below you can find some useful information to consider when ordering mastering of your music.

For scheduling and invoicing we need to know

• For companies:
  • The name of your company
  • The name of the contact person, including e-mail address and phone number
  • Billing address
  • VAT number
• For individuals:
  • Name, postal address, e-mail address and phone number.

Before the mastering session we need to know

• The name of the artist
• The title of the production
• Catalog number and/or EAN code
• Track titles and track order
  • If you want CD-Text on your premaster, we also need a proof-read manuscript with track titles.
• ISRC codes (if you use these)
• Delivery address for any ordered reference CD-Rs and/or premasters.
• Your comments regarding the mastering, for example:
  • Sound preferences
    
  • Instructions about fade-ins and fade-outs.
  • Edits that need to be done, for example removal of count-ins.

Please note that if nothing else is stated, we will presume that all material is already edited the way it is supposed to.

Things to consider while mixing

• Keep in mind that the better your mix sounds, the better your music will sound after the mastering. Always try to get as close as possible to the sound you are aiming for already when mixing.
• Avoid peak limiters or other effects on the mix bus that are used only to increase the total level of the mix. If you want the mastered result to be loud (with a high overall level), it will usually sound cleaner and punchier if there is less peak limiting on the mix used for mastering. Please note that you might need to lower the total level to avoid clipping if you remove a peak limiter from the mix bus.
• Keep all of the effects on the mix bus that have an artistic purpose, i.e. that are needed to achieve the sound you want for the mix.
• If you're in doubt, feel free to send more than one version of the mix, with and without the effects. Remember to label the files clearly.

File formats for mixes

• We prefer Wave or AIFF, but we accept most file formats.
• We accept all sample rates between 32kHz-192kHz and all bit depths.
• You will usually get the best results when you export (or 'render', or 'bounce') your mixes in at least 24 bits and in the same sample rate as used during recording and mixing.
• Avoid all formats with lossy bit reduction, for example MP3, WMA, AAC, Ogg Vorbis and others.
• Name your files clearly, preferably with the song title, mix date and mix version.

Preparations before the mastering session

• Make notes of any specific or general wishes you have for the mastering.
• Try out your track order and make notes if you have any wishes regarding lengths of pauses, fade-ins/outs, crossfades or other edits.