FAQ
The stuff that comes up almost every time.
For Clients
What's in your delivered files and how to use each one — WAV, MP3, DDP, vinyl masters, and how to preview a DDP before it goes to a manufacturer.
The final pass before a song goes out into the world. EQ, limiting, and other processing to make a track — and a full release — sound cohesive, translate across playback systems, and sit at the right loudness relative to everything else on the record.
WAV or AIFF at the sample rate and bit depth of your mix session (typically 24-bit, 44.1kHz or 48kHz). Mix around -20 to -15 LUFS/RMS, peaking near -4dBFS — that headroom gives mastering room to work.
WAVs at your original sample rate, 16-bit/44.1kHz CD-quality WAVs, and 320kbps MP3s. For physical releases, a DDP image — the file set your manufacturer needs for pressing.
An ISRC is a unique 12-digit code per song that IDs that specific recording. Not required for mastering, but you'll need one for streaming and digital distribution — if you've got codes, send them and they'll be embedded on delivery.
Reach out with song count and timeline and you'll get a straight answer, not a form-letter price sheet.