FAQ

General

Payment

Preparation And Transferring

Privacy

Support

General

Q: What Is Mastering?

A: Mastering is the last step before distribution of your music. This is where any final aesthetic or technical adjustments will be made. To learn more check out the online mastering page.

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Q: Can I Do My Own Mastering?

A: There are three main reasons to go with a mastering engineer. One is fresh ears. It's difficult to remain objective after having listened to a production for so long. Secondly is the specialized equipment mastering engineers use that most producers don't have access to. Finally the experience from doing only mastering day in and out gives a dedicated engineer an edge for knowing what treatment is needed.

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Q: What Kind Of Difference Can Mastering Provide?

A: Apart from making your music louder it will also be more balanced frequency wised, wider, punchier and fuller with more depth.

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Q: What Analogue Gear Do You Use?

A: I use a combination of API-2500, SSL 4000 Compressor, Pultec EQ, HDE250 Sontec-style EQ, Culture Vulture Super 15 and more.

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Q: Does Analog Really Make A Difference?

A: Yes although it depends on each project. Just adding the Pultec without the EQ even on helps round and an smooth digital tracks. Comparing to the digital plugin emulations, especially compressors, always showed them to be lacking in quality to the real hardware in how the attack and release stages feel.

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Q: How Many Revisions Are Allowed?

A: I will keep making revisions until you are happy, there is no extra charge.

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Q: Do You Just Make It Louder?

A: No, although getting a good loud level is important, making the track better overall is the main aim. And even when making your music louder it should be done in a way that does not damage it. Generally I can make it louder but also cleaner than most home mastering attempts.

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Q: Can I Attend A Session?

A: Unfortunately I just offer online mastering now. This keeps cost down while still retaining quality. Since you have unlimited revisions any changes that might have been done in person can still be communicated via email.

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Q: What Is Your Turnaround Time?

A: This varies depending on workload. Please see the relevant section for mixing or mastering on what current times are.

If you need something done by a certain time please let me know so I can accommodate.

Mixdowns usually take longer, about a week.

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Q: Do You Just Master Dance Music?

A: I have experience in all types of electronic music. Other genres like downtempo, ambient, indie, etc are all welcome.

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Payment

Q: What Form Of Payment Do You Accept?

A: I accept Paypal and Stripe.

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Q: Are Alternate Mixes An Extra Charge?

A: Yes it's £12 per alt mix.

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Q: Do You Offer Discounts For Multiple Orders?

A: Yes, the more you purchase the greater the discount, up to 25%. Please see the rates page for more information.

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Q: Do You Offer A Free Sample Master/Mixdown?

A: Unfortunately, due to my workload I can't offer a free sample at this time.

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Q: Can I Get A Rush Order?

A: Yes, there is an Express option for faster mastering and mixing turnaround.

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Q: What Is Your Refund Policy?

A: If you're not happy with the result after allowing for revisions and providing clear instructions you may request a refund.
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Preparation And Transferring

Q: What Formats Are Accepted?

A: Usually it's best to send files in either 16 or 24bit and 44.1k. For mixdown projects I accept: Ableton 11/12 or Cubase 12.

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Q: How Do I Upload Material?

A: I prefer to use Wetransfer. It allows up to 2Gb per transfer.

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Q: How Will I Receive My Tracks?

A: They will be sent back to your email via Wetransfer.

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Q: Do I Need To Turn Off Any Effects?

A: You should turn off all mastering effects on the stereo mix such as compressors, eq, and limiters. You can provide me a reference to your master so I can see what you were aiming for though.

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Q: How Much Headroom Is Needed?

A: Just make sure there is no clipping on export, the exact amount of headroom after that doesn't matter much. 3-6db is a safe range to shoot for. Simply lower the master fader enough to achieve this. Don't touch the track levels as this could upset the mix.

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Q: Can I Send A Reference Of How I Want The Master To Sound?

A: Yes, sending a few songs of your favourite artists/tracks can be helpful to show me the type of sound you are after.

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Q: Should I File Compress My Tracks Before Uploading?

A: File compression can speed up transfers if you are on a slower connection. The best one I've found so far is WinRar.

Q: Can You Deliver Redbook Formats For Duplication?

A: Yes, both CD and DDP are available. DDP is highly recommended for ease of transfer and higher integrity due to less chance of errors.

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Privacy

Q: Are My Tracks Safe?

A: Yes other than backing up your music in case it's needed to be accessed later for changes I do not share any music from clients. Wetransfer is encrypted so that no one other than me or the client will have access to the files.

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Support

Q: How Can I Contact You?

A: You can either use the contact form or email me directly at: [email protected].

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