Where mastering sits in the chain
Mixing sets balance; mastering sets final loudness and translation on headphones, cars, and phones. Our Mastering is €125 per track or €420 for an EP up to six songs — see mastering.
We master from your approved mix export. Avoid sending heavily limited mixes unless that is intentional; headroom keeps mastering meaningful.
Yusuf El Amrani coordinates mastering and podcast export on our team; if you are unsure about mix-then-master timing, align it upfront via contact.
Default files after export
You typically receive 24-bit WAV at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz depending on the project, plus an MP3 or AAC reference for quick checks — not a substitute for archive.
Request 96 kHz only if downstream needs it; larger files with little audible benefit for most releases. Confirm via contact before the session.
Loudness and streaming normalisation
Spotify, Apple Music, and most listeners in the Netherlands use loudness normalisation. We aim masters around common integrated targets (roughly −14 LUFS for many streaming profiles) so your track does not play unexpectedly quieter or louder after upload.
True peak limiting prevents digital clipping on converters. Planning vinyl? Tell us — we leave extra headroom and may deliver a separate vinyl-ready file.
Platforms sometimes change algorithms; we follow industry updates and note changes in your delivery e-mail. You remain responsible for the final upload, but we document which file targets which channel.
Metadata and file naming
We do not fill distributor metadata (ISRC, UPC) unless agreed. You or your label enter that at TuneCore, DistroKid, FUGA, or another aggregator. Use consistent names: Artist_TrackVersion.wav.
Embed artwork only after cover rights are clear. Our export usually has no embedded art to avoid wrong versions circulating.
Explicit or clean flags live in the upload form, not inside the audio file. Still send us the final title spelling so platforms stay consistent.
Podcast and speech — different profile
Podcast episodes often target −16 LUFS mono/stereo guidelines from hosts. That differs from music mastering. If you record at Podcast recording, we agree export during the session.
For music workflow context see mix budget so mastering slots line up with mixing.
Stems and Apple Digital Masters
Mastered stems for video or live are available on request. Apple Digital Masters need specific specs — only when your distributor requires them. Say so before export.
Always keep an unmastered mix archive. We store files 24 months under terms; you remain owner of source material.
Dual-mono or mid-side exports are rarely needed for streaming but help some film deliveries. Describe your use case in the mastering form via contact.
Quality checks before release
- Listen on headphones, phone speaker, and car.
- Check start and end for clicks, not just the middle.
- Compare to a reference track at matched level.
- Upload a private test on the platform if possible.
Mastering revisions fall under the same 2 rounds as mix, within reason. A major genre pivot counts as a new master.
Format overview
| Purpose | Format |
|---|---|
| Archive / distribution | 24-bit WAV |
| Quick sharing | MP3 320 kbps or AAC |
| Streaming upload | WAV via aggregator |
| Vinyl pressing | WAV with headroom, agreed separately |
Book mastering via Mastering. Rights before publishing are covered in rights and release. Fractaltrail is at Overtoom 376A in Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
