Mastering Details
Specializing in Mastering: $45 per song or $400 complete album (up to 74 minutes)Please help me make the best possible master by:
Bringing in or sending the order form with your project. Calling at 630-834-0766 with questions and any instructions. Being familiar the details below.
On this page:General Instructions and Information Preparing and Formatting Your Mix: Mix Submission Guidelines
Audio Files (WAV/AIFF)
Analog Tape
Other FormatsHow To Send Your Materials Payment Options FAQ -what to expect General Instructions and Information:
Stereo Bus Inserts:
I recommend the mixing engineer/producer does not use stereo bus inserts, or at least uses them very sparingly.
If used, these will generally restrict the options and quality available during mastering.
Ideally, the maximum level of your mix should not exceed -3dB below digital 0 (for digital audio files); -6dB is better.
If you must use limiting on the main stereo bus, do not exceed 1 dB or so of gain reduction, or make sure limiting action is very
infrequent.
UPC/MCN:
Please provide if available.
If this becomes available after mastering is complete, your project can be recalled from our archives and new masters created.
ISRC:
Please provide these if available.
If unfamiliar with ISR Codes, a good starting place for more information is the RIAA website -especially their ISRC FAQ here.
If this becomes available after mastering is complete, your project can be recalled from our archives and new masters created.
Fades/Cross Fades:
Fades are an art. I've done thousands, so most people trust me to make the correct choices here.
Generally, songs should be provided without any fades ... however ...
If a particular fade is desired, you may submit a separate, additional version with the fade.
Alternatively, you can let me know of any particular requirements by making notes in the materials you send (see the order form),
or by calling.
Desired fades can best be documented by listing the begin and end times as Minutes:Seconds(:Milliseconds).
Please document fade times relative to the start time. Specify if you are referring to the song start time or audio file start time.
Cross fading between songs can be handled the same way.
Song Spacing/Silence Between Songs:
Again, this is an art and you may wish to trust my experience - otherwise you may provide guidance the same way you would for
fades.
The song order and album pace almost always make the choices obvious. Sometimes one space will need to be different than the
next.
I will generally choose shorter spacing over longer spacing so the album doesn't loose momentum.
The old standard of 2 seconds between songs is generally not used.
Please include notes about countdowns or other "extra noises" you wish to keep.
Hidden tracks, long pauses between tracks, etc are possible: please include any special notes or call to disucss.
Preparing & Formatting Your Mix:
For Audio Files:
Mix resolution:
Preferred: High resolution audio files. 24 bit and sampling rates from 44.1 to 192 kHz.
Up to 32 bit resolution accepted but not necessary.
Acceptable:16 bit files/audio CDs are acceptable, but their sound quality is not as high as 24 bit files.
Files may be submitted as WAV, AIFF (AIF), or other common audio formats on any of the following:
CD(s) (best),
DVD(s) (good),
Masterinlink disk (please do not use any Masterlink processing) (acceptable),
External hard drive or flash drive (USB or IEEE/FireWire) (small chance that there will be trouble recognizing the drive).
Your drives will be returned when mastering is complete.
If your songs are already in the digital domain (i.e. coming from ProTools, Cubase or similar DAW):
Please preserve whatever bit depth and sampling rate your mix is in.
Avoid increasing or decreasing the bit depth or sampling rate. Please do not dither to a lower bit depth
I will also accept "stems/separations" if you choose to provide them.
If you don't know what these are, don't worry about them or call to discuss.
The use of stems is not the typical way to master although it is becoming more common.
Please keep the number of stems to a reasonable amount and clearly label everything in your file/folder organization system.
Please make sure all stems are of equal length and the full length of the song
- even if that means a lot of silence and extra file size.
A regular stereo bounce/mixdown must also be sent for reference.
No additional cost for mastering using stems/separations.
For Analog Tape:
1/4" or 1/2"; 7.5 ips, 15ips or 30ips; half-track. The faster and wider the tape, the better.
Calibration tones at 100Hz, 1kHz and 10kHz.
As necessary: Dolby SR, Dolby A or dbx type 1. Dolby tone or SR noise for calibration.
Tails out.
Other formats:
24 bit DAT -no preemphasis, leave the 1st and last minute empty.
16 bit DAT -no preemphasis, leave the 1st and last minute empty.
MP3/WMA/minidisk/cassettes: are not appropriate for mastering. However I can work with this if it is all you have.
How to Send Your Materials:
Please print and fill out the order form, and send along with your materials to
MaMiNiDi Mastering
520 S. York St.
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Or send the completed order form along with your files digitally using:
FTP File Transfer:
As soon as payment is received, you will be given easy to follow instructions to make the transfer.
MaMiNiDi emails you with the FTP service address, login and private password.
You send your files.
Mastered songs are sent back to you with instructions on how to burn the master.
Saves expedited shipping costs while preserving audio quality.
Requires that you have a reasonably fast internet connection. The average album will take several hours to transfer.
Compressing files is optional. Please use Monkeys Audio Lossless Compression or WinRAR.
Payment Options:
United States Post Office Money Order
All major credit cards by calling us at 630-834-0766 or including card information on the order form.
All major credit cards and bank transfer through PayPal. Please use the PayPal link on the order form.
No PayPal account required.
Cashiers Check
Cash accepted for walk-in clients only (please do not mail cash)
Additional Services:
$5 for each additional master CD
$3 for each additional reference CD
$5 per song for MP3s
each song rendered to multiple MP3 resolutions: 96k, 128k, 192k, & 256k for your convenience
comprehensive use of MP3s tags included
Short run duplication is available. See the bottom of the services page.
FAQ - What You Can Expect:
Mastering of the highest quality.
The most important thing should be the fulfillment of the song's artistic intensions.
Yes, we are almost always bringing up loudness, but musical dynamics and punch are retained.
Yes, we are going for a polished, commercially competitive sound, but the sound must also stand the test of time.
Yes, mastering is very technical, but we are still making art in the end.
100s of albums mastered in each style of music.
Over 10 years mastering experience and 20 years recording, mixing and music making experience.
Scheduling - How long will it take?:
Call if you have a deadline. Expedited mastering can be done in 3 days or less if necessary.
A complete album normally takes 1 week to 10 days.
Single songs normally take 2 or 3 days.
What will I receive?:
2 Master CDs: These will be standard production master CDs (Red Book CD-DA, or DDP if specified).
Free when mastering 6 songs or more. $5 each for short mastering orders
1 Reference CD
PQ sheets and documentation for replication and liner notes
How can I make sure I'm satisfied?
Preview versions will be made available online if desired. Approval or adjustments will be made before mastering is
complete.
Your satisfaction is our goal. Any song can be redone if not satisfied.
Personalized attention from an established business.
My mastering process:
Each individual song gets its own unique process. I have never mastered any 2 songs using the same process.
I do not consider passing tracks through a bunch of presets to be professional mastering.
Sometimes even different sections within the same song may require different processing. Yes, I do that!.
An "analog" realism and fullness is given to tracks that require it (most do!).
All specialized mastering techniques available:
Including, but not limited to (and in no particular order):
EQ, compression, spectral balance and enhancement, stereo imaging, automation of any parameter, mid-side, limiting,
de-essing, noise reduction.....
I use only high-end, esoteric analog and digital equipment. Some audio circuits are my personal custom design for mastering.
Including, but not limited to:
Manley, Tube-Tech, Crane Song, GML, Avalon, SPL, dbx, Millennia Media, Benchmark, Apogee, TC Electronic.....
There is a certain sound I hear from artist 'X' that I want my finished masters to sound like...
Feel free to include any references on CD along with the other materials.
Can I attend at least part of the mastering session?
Yes. If you don't mind hearing the same thing over and over for long sessions.
Most prefer to be sedated (i.e. absent) during this surgery.
Remember you can ask for changes once you've had a chance to evaluate the master.
Do you have different prices depending on how extensive the mastering?
No. Every song receives the fullest attention.
Can you make a Mixed Mode/Blue Book CD?
Yes, just send the data. Part of this data may be MP3s of the mastered material (see the "Additional Services" section this page).
