All I need for mastering is a well balanced stereo mix with no or minimal mastering plugins on the masterbus during mixdown. Bit size and sample rate should remain the same as the mix session. Output volume should not exceed -3dB.
Please confirm artist name, album/EP title, the song running order plus ISRC codes, if you have them. If you haven't decided on the running order or metadata or you don't have ISRC codes then no problem. I will just leave the metadata blank.
No. As a huge supporter of independent music, all projects taken on by me are given the same level of attention. Signed or unsigned. All music is equal. Unlike other engineers, I do not prioritize major label projects.
Yes. All my masters are official ADM, iTunes, Spotify, YouTube approved. I was one of the first mastering engineers to be invited by Apple to enrol as an official ADM engineer. My first ADM release was a No1 hit album by Turboweekend for EMI (Denmark 2012).
If you have two songs that are joined together with a crossfade, it's best to export the mixes with the crossfade in place, creating one long track that contains two songs. I can then add a track marker to split them on export. Just let me know in mins:secs where you want me to add the track marker. Once exported, the tracks will seamlessly slot back together when played back to back.
Yes. This is known as topping and tailing and is part of the mastering process. Topping is removing the silence at the start of the song and tailing is removing the silence at the end of the song. You can do this yourself before mastering if you prefer.
No. ISRC codes are generated by the PPL for the owner of the music or you can use the ISRC codes assigned to you by your distribution company. Either way, If you supply them then I will embed them.
A DDP is the industry standard format for CD manufacturing. It contains audio and metadata plus an MD5 checksum, so there's zero chance of errors during duplication. A DDP is a zip folder so you can forward it onto the CD company after approving the PQ sheet and disc image, which I will send to you.
Yes. I master tons of vinyl projects. I can either supply individual master WAVS or Side A and Side B disc images ready to press. Most vinyl companies prefer Side A and Side B disc images but do check first.
I will do everything I can to meet a tight deadline but there's no jumping the queue!
Digital masters should not be used for pressing to vinyl. Vinyl masters are a higher resolution 24 bit and have a lower output volume for pressing headroom. The lows under 60hz are tightened up for the cut and phase issues are corrected. Digital masters are too hot for vinyl so tend to distort.
Revisions are included if realistic but I generally nail it first time every time.