Audio Mastering Services

“HOW DID YOU DO THAT? F@#$ — I LOVE IT!” ~ Leon Rosen

We always work to provide results that excite our clients by honoring the mix while removing any technical barriers that may prevent it from sounding the best that it possibly can. There are decades of wisdom at play here, encompassing comprehensive knowledge of the benefits and pitfalls of mid-side manipulation, phase correlation, positive and negative aspects of noise in a mix, management and control of subharmonics and bass frequencies, and more. We typically shoot for a combination of modern punch and classic analog warmth — all of the strengths of analog and digital with none of the caveats of either.

Mastering may include an instrumental and/or a cappella derived from the same song session. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required per song prior to the start of work. Balance is due before delivery of the final master. Until that point, shortened drafts will be provided for consideration. Revisions are permitted within reason. Due to the cost of mastering an entire album, some people elect to move forward one song at a time. Each song version is delivered in multiple formats of 96kHz 32-bit and 24-bit WAVs, 48kHz 24-bit and 16-bit WAVs (for archival storage, HD distribution, and video production), 44.1kHz 24-bit WAV, and 44.1kHz 16-bit WAV (for most streaming, digital distribution and CD manufacturing). Maximum-quality 320kbps MP3s are also provided, all with appropriate metadata encoded.

Note that it is always better to upload 44.1kHz 16-bit files to standard online streaming companies and distributors, since these companies typically use inferior sample rate converters. Instead use 44.1kHz 16-bit files when uploading to streaming companies and download sites, as these files are created using the absolute best sample rate conversion possible. Save your 96kHz files for HD distributors only, or when providing files for movies, television or video production.

Regarding the sample rate and bit depth of the the files you provide, please supply files at whatever sample rate and bit depth your mix was made at. Do not change the sample rate nor bit depth of your project at any point. Leave that to us for best results.

We provide total-session-recall during the duration of the project using a combination of meticulously selected digital and extremely low-noise Class-A analog tube equipment. Try us out for a song, and let’s see what happens!

Our club remix credits, which all involve mastering, include Madonna, Beyoncé, Kylie Minogue, Depeche Mode, Simply Red, Gloria Estefan, Yoko Ono, and others.

Please contact us at least two weeks in advance of the release of a single and at least two months in advance of an album, or else it is unlikely we can accept the project. We look forward to working with you. Please use the contact form if you would like to discuss your project.

Examples of Mastering by Wave Mechanic

Click on titles for links.

More to come, pending release dates.