F.A.Q.

I will send them to you using a secure internet transfer. I normally deliver files in 44.1kHz/16bit resolution. If you would like any other resolution, please tell me beforehand and don't forget to fill in the Audio Metadata Sheet! Please note that I need to receive your payment before sending you the final masters without a watermark or in low-resolution.

I work with all sample rates of up to 192kHz. Please send me the highest resolution possible and do not down-sample your files. On the other hand, if you have recorded your material at 44.1kHz, up-sampling won’t produce a better sounding file! So please use whatever sample rate you’ve got. Bit depth should be 24bit but again, if you have worked at 16bits, that’s fine. I recommend running your sessions in 96kHz/24bit, which should be possible on most modern setups. Please use .wav or .aiff format. It’s industry standard. If you have your files in other format please notify me before submission. Stereo interleaved is preferred but split-mono is acceptable too. Please export your tracks with some pre and post roll. I will trim this for you. Always listen carefully to your bounces to avoid sending me files with any unwanted errors. I know this can be quiet a tedious process but do not assume that they’re fine without checking. If you will be supplying me with stems please make sure that all the tracks start at the same time, so that I can perfectly align them. I would also prefer if they all end at the same time, so that I am sure that they were not cut short accidentally. Do not use bus compression to make the tracks louder, unless you have mixed to a compressor and it plays a vital part in your mix. You can send me both versions too, to see which one will be more suitable during mastering but most of the time I prefer to take care of the master bus compression during mastering. Please do not limit or normalise your tracks! Provide me with at least 5dB of headroom to 0dBFS. In other words don’t allow your master bus to peak any higher than -5dBFS. The more headroom I get the better. Please avoid digital clipping on any track/fader in your DAW at ALL times! If you wish, you may also supply me with a track that can be used for loudness reference. I prefer to know how loud you want your mixes before I start working on them. Please provide me with your listening copy and label it clearly. In other words, I would like to hear the limited mix with your mix bus processors on it, so that I can hear what you’re used to listen to and compare it to the pre-master…Sometimes pre-masters and listening copies can be drastically different, which in a case of problem will help us to determine what might be bothering you on the master. Once again, please download the Metadata Sheet and fill in the audio metadata information on sheet 1. Sheet 2 allows you to enter all the necessary mastering notes. What are you trying to achieve? Are you aware of any problems with any of your mixes? Do you want me to try something specific with any of the mix? Should one of the tracks be considerably quieter/louder? Is there a purposely made "mistake" in the mix that I shouldn't touch? Do you need a secret song after the last track on a CD? Etc. Please be as specific as possible. If you have difficulties with the Excel sheet please send me an email with the following: Artist name, Album name, UPC/EAN (both 12 and 13 digit codes are accepted as well as UBC for audio books), track order, track name (including featuring artists if any), ISRC and delivery format required. Example: Queen, The Greates Hits II, 123456789123, Treack no1, A Kind of Magic, UK 5G9 14 00001, 44.1/16bit. Queen, The Greatest Hits II, 123456789123, Track no2, Under Pressure (feat. David Bowie), UK 5G9 14 00002, 44.1/16bit. If you're not sure about the track order and would like me to advise on it please let me know. I will make sure that the album is well paced. Suggestions: Once you have your final mixes, put them away for a week or two and then listen to them again. If you’re still happy with how they sound then they’re very likely ready to be mastered. Allow yourself enough time to listen to the masters. I recommend testing them in different environments and on different systems for a week or two before making any revisions or releasing/printing them. Although I will try to deliver the masters to you as soon as possible, think in advance and allow enough time for mastering. Don’t set your release date unless you have the masters in hand and you’re happy with how they sound. Obviously there are times where you need the tracks very quickly, sometimes even the same day! If possible, I will try to accommodate your request, although this is not always possible. Additional fees may apply for a super-quick delivery. Please do not send me any lossy format such as mp3 or AAC! I’m looking forward for your music!

The secure player is a special client-approval software. Unfortunately, it's available to Mac users only. If you need me to deliver a DDP image I will deliver a stand-alone, self-contained and password protected player application with your DDP content securely embedded inside. It even supports CD-Text and allows you to burn your own reference CD. It uses a special engine for playback, so you will hear your music in exactly the same quality as you’re intended to. This will allow you to audition your master and approve it before the final delivery takes place.

Since image speaks for thousand words, please check out this video on how to use the secure player.

Please read this article for more information on ISRC codes and how to obtain them for free.