High-end mastering for modern music styles
Services
Stereo Mastering - $100 / track
Tonal balancing, polishing/enhancement, loudness optimization, and delivery of release formats.
Stem Mastering - $190 / track
Additional fine tuning of balances for impact & energy, clarity of elements, translation, and low-end management.
Max 12 stems (subgroups)
Finishing - quoted / track
Misc. services from completing productions through mastering, catering to (busy) artist producers & DJs.
FAQ
Turnaround Time
Typical turnaround is 3 to 7 business days for mastering services.
Please communicate any project deadlines and I will do my best to accommodate.
Rush projects are available for an extra fee, dependent on scheduling availability.
Included in Base Fee
Unlimited revisions* with previews through lossless streaming player
16-bit / 44.1 kHz CD Quality WAVs
24-bit &/or 48 kHz High-Res WAVs (optional)
320 kbps MP3 Reference
*new client files with significant mix revisions are additional charge
*stem mastering & finishing services additional charge after five revisions
Additional versions (edits, instrumentals, etc.): +$10 / track
Additional formats: per inquiry
Process / Payment
Book online or via email: denis@rjmastering.com
Upload files through email link.
High-quality streaming with downloads to review masters.
Payment due on delivery of approved deliverables. Invoice will be provided along with payment options.
Recommendations for Track Submissions
Mix or master buss processing integral to the mix should be left on, including limiting if essential to mix translation. Versions with and without master processing can be submitted, and I will work with you to determine the best option for the final master. Limiting added purely for loudness and demo masters are best left off.
I recommend however including any loud, limited demo masters with submissions so that I can hear them, even though they will not be used as the mastering source file.
File Formats: 24-bit or 32-bit WAV or AIFF files at project sample rate (44.1/48 - 96 kHz), dithering off
TIP: Please double check and listen through all files being submitted, and confirm they are the final mix files you would like mastered
TIP: Clearly label files and include the following as best practice ‘"Artist - Track - Mix revision or date - File format”
Peak Level: As long as you do not exceed 0 dbFS (ideally -0.5 so I have a little bit of workroom), there is no absolute target level that you MUST aim for when finalizing and exporting your mix. If you are more comfortable working against a target, aim for peaks in the range of -3 to -6 dbFS.
If you are exporting with a limiter/clipper on as the last plugin, reduce the final output level in the plugin to -0.5 or -1.0 dbFS.
Stem Mastering/Misc. Services: I strongly recommend exporting 32-bit stem files. Full DAW projects may be acceptable for non-traditional finishing services based on compatibility.
Studio
Monitoring
Dutch & Dutch 8C
Audeze LCD-X
Conversion
Lynx Hilo
SPL Mercury D/A
Hardware
Avalon AD2055
Elysia Alpha
Elysia Museq
Thermionic Culture Phoenix Mastering Plus
Thermionic Culture Vulture Super 15
Various preamps & FX, synthesizers, drum machines, samplers
Digital Plugins
Acustica Audio
Cytomic
FabFilter
iZotope
Metric Halo
Sonnox
Tokyo Dawn Labs
Tone Projects
Universal Audio
Vertigo Sound
DAWs / Software
Ableton Live
iZotope RX7
Logic Pro