Mixing & Mastering

Technical info & requirements

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Mixing

Often referred to as a ‘Black Art’, once a song has been recorded, the multi-tracks (often anywhere from 30-100+ separate layers) need to be professionally mixed. The process is highly involved and can take a great deal of time depending on the recording quality, the number of layers, how many revisions are required and the engineer performing the task.

It’s up to the mix engineer to use their technical knowledge and taste to achieve the best representation for the song and often requires working closely with the record label, producer or songwriter(s) to ensure the end result is what they envisioned.

Please note, mixing can be performed in 2 ways;

  • By the track (fixed price & includes 2 x one-hour revisions)

  • By the hour ($110 per hour inclusive of GST)

Technical info for sending mixing stems/files;

• Pro Tools & Logic Pro X sessions are accepted

• 24bit WAV stem files (bounced from time zero) at the project’s native sample rate

• Please remove any EQ, compression processing from all stems

• If some layers contain processing (ie. side-chaining, delays, reverbs etc.) that are key to the track, please include a copy of the file with the FX.

• Include a rough mix so the engineer can hear any specific ideas

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Mastering

Prior to manufacturing and/or digital distribution, mastering centres around making the best reproduction of sound over a wide array of playback systems. With multiple song releases, it is essential the sounds are cohesive across all tracks, gaps between songs are suitable and the overall volumes are commercially competitive with artists of a similar genre. More information from Wikipedia.

This requires a great listening environment and skill to ensure the mastering process doesn’t compromise the mix or the artist’s vision.

Technical info for uploading files for mastering;

24 bit resolution WAV, AIFF stereo interleaved is preferred at the project sample rate (i.e. 44.1/48/88.2/96kHz)

Remove any limiting on the master bus before bouncing/exporting the file

Sending mp3’s for mastering is unacceptable