FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When working with other people we are extremely proud of our transparency.

In our flat rate pricing are included:

• Mastered files ready for digital distribution (Spotify, iTunes, TIDAL, Apple Music, Amazon Music etc.)

• Format files delivered: WAV at 16-bit / 24-bit - 44KHz (other formats can be provided upon request)

• 3 free revisions (if needed)

• Alternative mixes print (instrumental, TV version, etc. - if needed at no additional cost)

• Mix feedback (upon request)

• Our infinite gratitude for working with us

Additional costs are applied for:

• Extra revisions (so far no one needed this service and we are reasonably flexible)

• New mix submission (if a new mix is submitted we have to re-master the song from scratch)

• Extra formats

1. FILL UP OUR FORM

Filling up our form you tell me about your project, your needs, and mastering preferences so I can propose to you the best quote possible.

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If you are in need we can arrange a quick video call prior to the mastering session to discuss your project.

2. MASTERING

First of all I'll make sure that your music is ready for mastering, giving you the opportunity to fix issues in the mix if I feel the master will be compromised.

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I correct noises, frequency, balance, dynamic, etc. issues if needed. Then I move on to dealing with the tone, enhancements and loudness bringing out any latent beauty of the song.

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At this point, I'll send you the master.

3. REVISIONS

You can listen to the master and send me your feedback via e-mail to discuss any of your thoughts/notes on the master and see if any adjustment is needed. I offer 3 free revisions to ensure everything sounds as you want.

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Finally, I sequence the final master, program all the metadata, and export it in all the needed formats. Before the delivery, every file goes through a final quality check.

4. DELIVERY

All our deliveries include files optimized for Digital Distribution / Streaming (iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, etc.).

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Any additional format can be created upon request.

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You also get my feedback, support and infinite gratitude for mastering with Master Your Track.

All the major Credit and Debit Card are accepted via a secure PayPal checkout.

You don't need to have a PayPal account to pay with your Credit/Debit Card.

Alternatively you can pay via Bank Transfer.

I offer three free revisions per song which usually are more than enough to get to the final version of the master.

Most of the time the final approved version is the first I provide.

Revisions are there in case minor adjustments to the master are needed.

Additional costs are applied:

- after the third revision (I'm reasonably flexible on this)

- if a new mix is submitted

WHY ARE EXTRA COSTS APPLIED?

Contrary to general belief, a mastering engineer can't just drop a new mix in the existing chain and use the same mastering settings.

Most project are done by using analog equipment. This means that every time the mix change (no matter how small the change is) involves extra processing through the equipment.

To be taken into the account also the extra time for file management, conversion, rendering, quality check, etc.

It is very important to double check any mix/bounce before submitting for mastering.

Traditionally mastering is performed from a stereo mixdown.

If you are happy with the mix, stereo mastering is the way to go.

If instead you're not 100% happy with your mix and you feel you want to give the mastering engineer extra control over the mix itself stem mastering is the best option.

For more info about our stereo and stem mastering services please check the dedicated F.A.Q. sections.

For more info about stereo vs stem mastering please check the article:

STEREO MASTERING vs STEM MASTERING

Apple Digital Masters is a category of iTunes and Apple Music.

All the music in this category is badged and marketed as Apple Digital Masters (in the past known as Mastered for iTunes).

All the music that fall into this category is quality certified for iTunes and Apple Music.

The final goal of this initiative is to give to artists, bands, producers and record labels the opportunity to deliver their music in the highest possible quality through iTunes and Apple Music.

Not every mastering house is allowed to provide such a type of masters.

Master Your Track is a certified Apple Digital Master provider.

If you want a better technical understanding please check our article: WHAT IS APPLE DIGITAL MASTER?

Mastering is the last stage in the music production chain.

Traditionally mastering is made by working on a stereo mixdown (a single stereo file left and right). At this stage the engineer look at the whole song enhancement keeping an eye on the overall picture rather than each single element.

In other words this means that at this stage changing the sound of one particular instrument or element without affecting other instruments of the song it is usually not possible.

Mixing instead is where you have control over each single instrument. The mixing engineer in fact is free to control individual instruments by changing their level, tone, dynamic, and adding effects if needed.

The happier you are with the mix, the happier you will be with the master.

The mastering process is an enhancement of what is already in the mix and helps to give the songs the right cohesion making them sound like a finished product.

Mixing and mastering engineers have two very different approaches to music.

While the first one is more focused on each single element of the song the second one is more focused on a global approach and final packaging.

Most of non-mastering engineers, approach the 2 bus processing, by only looking at the loudness, and trying to make the music translate better across different listening situations.

For a mastering engineer this is only the beginning. There are in fact lots of other technical details involved in the mastering process.

Mastering engineers use dedicated tools designed specifically for mastering which can act as a microscope on the audio material to make sure there are no unwanted anomalies hiding the the audio.

Other point and one of the most important aspect is that after having spent hours and hours working on mixing the engineer starts losing objectivity and certain problems can easily pass though undetected.

A mastering engineer with a fresh mind and fresh hears in a different and more controlled/dedicated environment can easily detect any undetected problem and work to address it.

I like to say that at the production, recording and mixing stage you're looking a trees, at the mastering stage you're looking at the whole forest.

Bear in mind mastering is much more than eq and limit the stereo bus.

Mastering is and overall and cohesive enhancement of your work, moreover is the final quality control.

Please feel free to contact us via our contact form.