Pre-Mastering
To achieve the best results, there are a few things that can be done before I receive your tracks. Some things are obvious, some less so. As a guide please follow the checklist below:
- Files should be sent at the quality (bitrate/sample rate) at which they were recorded; if they were recorded at 24-bit 44.1/48kHz then the final mix should be bounced down at the same quality.
- Ensure that on the final mixdowns, the mix engineer hasn't used any quick mastering solutions such as limiters, compressors or EQs over the master buss. Other than a bit of gentle buss compression from a good piece of outboard gear for some 'audio glue', these processes should be left for the mastering engineer.
- Make sure that you're happy with the final mix; no clicks, pops or a weird guitar part popping out where you don't want it. There is a small amount of room for 'fixing' things during mastering but it is far better to fix individual elements and errors during mixing.
- Make sure audio tracks HAVE NOT been normalized.
- Try to include a few seconds of silence at the start and end of the track; it makes my life easier and these can be removed during mastering.
- Label file names with artist and song title.
- Try to label any correspondence we have too. Subject lines such as, 'John Smith - Best of... Mastering notes' make my life so much easier than ones like 'Hey...'.
- Check that you're sending the correct version of the audio file. Mix ups can happen.
- Back up everything you send. You can never be too careful.
- I return tracks in a standard format of 16-bit 44.1kHz suitable for CD replication; if you require something different, let me know.
- Consider how loud you want your track(s) to be (see, 'HOW LOUD?! SORRY I CAN'T HEAR YOU!' on the WHAT IS MASTERING? page). Listen to released tracks of a similar genre as a guide.
- Please carefully fill out the MASTERING FORM. It will help to ensure a smoother and quicker process from start to finish.
