Mastering
The SunnyStudio team provides the service Mastering of your Finalized Mix.
What does Mastering mean?
Mastering is the last step in the creative process where you do fine tuning and fixing of the final mixes prior to recording and distribution on CD or another medium.
The two objectives with mastering are:
- Make the records sound (even) better.
- Convert the final mixes into a form which can be sent for CD mass duplication or replication.
Nowadays, each record made for commercial purposes you have ever heard has by all means undergone the stage of mastering in a studio environment.
Mastering includes:
- Optimizing the level of each song;
- Checking up and optimizing the frequency balance;
- Ånhancing the stereo image
- Editing track start and end points
- Removing humming, crackling, popping and hissing noises
- Sequencing the songs in the best possible order and deciding on the precise inter-song pauses
- Including effects (if necessary)
- Inter-music editing (changing the song structure – for example, removing parts of the song with a view to cutting the length, if necessary)
- Dithering
Note:
To achieve good mastering you need a good Mix (Mixing)
Preparing the files for sending
Our preferred format is WAV file, 32bit /48êHz.
We also accept 24bit, 16bit / 44.1kHz , AIFF, as well as MP3 files.
Note:
Please bear it in mind that if MP3 files are used you are significantly compromising with the quality of the sound!
To prepare your files for sending you need to do the following:
1. Remove all the compressors and limiters from the master output. This does not mean that these can’t be used in your individual tracks; however, it is important to remove them from the master output to leave headroom for additional processing by our processors.
2. Do not use normalisation.
3. The output peak level of your final mix should be in the range of -6 to -3 db. Avoid exceeding over 0 db since this can lead to distortion in the record which cannot possibly be removed during the mastering process.
4. Use the highest possible resolution we accept - 32bit /48êHz. Leave all files in the original Bit depth and Sample Rate. If you recorded at 24bit/48kHz, send them as 24bit/48kHz. If you recorded at 16bit/44.1kHz, send them as 16bit/44.1kHz.
5. Do not trim the beginning and ending of your files, leave everything intact.
6. Add notes, such as: “bass drum down”, “20 secs fadeout”, “level of second chorus to be raised slightly to become identical to the one of the first chorus”.
7. Write down the title of the song (if we are talking songs for an entire album, please write down the individual songs titles).
The remaining points are for our information but are not a must.
- Performer
- Where were the records made
After we do the mastering for you, we will send you the mastered tracks. Should you have any comments or criticisms, please write to us. We will reflect your requirements and will send a revised version.
In case you are still not entirely happy with the mastering output, please contact us.
The final mastered tracks will be send to you in Wav 44100Hz /16bit format or in Red Book audio-CD (standard audio CD).
If you want to go for both Mixing + Mastering, see Top Offers.
You can write to us for further information or with additional questions using the contact information.
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