Mastering
Yusuf El Amrani and the team turn your stereo mixes into a coherent release with controlled loudness, clear transients and a sequence that works on Spotify, Bandcamp or vinyl.
Mastering is the last listening pass before your music goes public. At Fractaltrail in Amsterdam we hear the arc of an EP or album — gaps, tonal balance between songs and how the kick behaves on a phone speaker versus studio monitors.
Mastering is for artists and labels who already have a stereo mix and want a neutral, experienced pair of ears. We work in a dedicated mastering room at Overtoom 376A; stereo mixing happens elsewhere on purpose so each stage gets a fresh context.
Process
Upload
Use the link in your quote: stereo WAV with headroom, no limiter on the mix bus. Include desired loudness, references and track order.
Analyse
We inspect spectrum, phase, clicks and silences. Within 2 business days we confirm start and delivery unless technical issues need your mixer first.
Master
EQ, dynamics, stereo width and loudness per song; then sequencing and fades. Two revision rounds are included within 2 feedback cycles.
Deliver
WAV masters and optionally distributor-ready formats. ISRC and metadata stay with your aggregator; we deliver audio.
When mastering helps
One single ready to go or an EP of three to six tracks benefits from mastering that smooths level jumps and translates your mix to consumer systems. Producing and mixing in the same room can hide problems; mastering reveals them.
Mastering does not fix a broken mix. If bass and kick fight, we send you back to mixing or ask your mixer for a revision. Honesty saves time and money.
Technical checks
We review including:
- True peak and inter-sample peaks for streaming;
- DC offset, clicks and unexpected silence at edges;
- Mono compatibility of bass and kick;
- Consistent tonal balance across the release.
Vinyl mastering needs separate planning for side length and lacquer cut; that sits outside the standard track rate — ask via contact.
Team workflow
Fractaltrail has worked in Amsterdam-West since 2018. Yusuf El Amrani leads mastering and also handles podcast production, so he is used to both dense music and clear speech. Sophie Bakker (mix) and Maarten van Dijk (recording) join if an issue is better fixed upstream.
You have one project contact; we document settings and export profiles so a follow-up single can match the same sonic signature.
Delivery specs
Send stereo WAV, preferably 24-bit at your mix sample rate (44.1 or 48 kHz). Leave at least 3 dB headroom; no mix-bus maximisers unless that is part of the aesthetic — tell us if so.
Include track order, desired crossfades, ISRC notes as plain text (no embedded rights) and two reference tracks for direction, not cloning. File formats are explained in our delivery formats guide.
Turnaround and revisions
Typical delivery is five to ten business days after complete upload, depending on load. Rush is sometimes possible for a surcharge — ask early.
You receive 2 revision rounds: bundle feedback in one email with timestamps or bar numbers. Extra rounds beyond that are billed per hour or per track under terms and conditions.
Pricing
All amounts include 21% VAT. Net for business clients appears on invoices, e.g. €103.31 per track.
| Package | Price incl. VAT | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Single track | €125 | Master WAV + revisions |
| EP up to 6 tracks | €420 | Sequence + matched loudness |
Book with a 30% deposit. Cancel free up to 7 days before start; see deposit and payment and cancellation.
Formats and streaming
We deliver at least 24-bit WAV masters; 16-bit on request with proper dither. Export notes cover Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer and Bandcamp; mention your distributor if they require specific peaks.
We do not embed rights metadata — handle splits and ISRC with your label or aggregator. For general orientation on releases see rights and release guide; we do not provide legal advice.
Out of scope
Vocal tuning, remixing, adding instruments, stem exports for sync, artwork and marketing sit outside mastering. Spoken-word loudness for podcasts is podcast recording or a separate edit.
We archive project files 24 months unless you buy an extension. Read privacy policy for retention and cookie policy when using our site for uploads.
Need vocal recording before you mix? Book upstream services separately so each stage keeps its own deadline and deliverable list.
Visit and planning
Mastering is usually unattended: you upload, we master, you download. If you prefer to attend the final listen, mention it when booking; space in the mastering room is limited. Tram 1 and 7 stop Overtoom (Hoofddorpweg), 3 minutes’ walk to Overtoom 376A. Bike parking in front; on-street parking with permit or Q-Park Baarsjes 600 m away. Drop-off of drives is possible during Tue–Sat 10:00–22:00 by appointment.
Questions before you commit? Browse guides or FAQ, then contact with a link to your mix and we will tell you honestly if the project is ready for mastering.
Included
- Mastering on dedicated setup
- Sequencing and fades on EP package
- Streaming loudness alignment
- 2 revision rounds
- 24-bit WAV export
- Plain-language QC notes
- Archive for 24 months
FAQ
Should my mix already sound mastered?
No, but it should be balanced. If it is already extremely loud we have little headroom — send an alternate mix without the mix-bus limiter.
Can you turn around a single in one day?
Sometimes when the calendar allows. Request rush via contact; we confirm if quality stays intact.
EP rate versus single track?
€420 covers up to six songs with sequencing and uniform loudness. Additional singles outside a package bill at €125 each.
Do you supply DDP for CD?
On request for an extra fee. State CD manufacturing and length upfront; default delivery is hi-res WAV.
How do companies pay?
Invoices from Fractaltrail B.V., KVK 81783584, VAT NL882924515B01. Approved B2B clients get 14 days per terms.
Project in Amsterdam?
Plan your session at Fractaltrail
Tell us briefly what you want to record or have mixed. Within 2 working days you receive a slot proposal and a written quote.