Mastering

When mastering helps

After mixing at home or with us: the mix sounds great on your monitors but thin or harsh on a phone. Mastering fixes that translation and sets coherent loudness for a single or EP. Label demos also benefit from a clean master without fighting platform normalisation.

Only raw recordings? Start with vocal recording or band recording; mastering does not replace a mix. Service order is outlined on services.

Workflow in the mastering suite

Noor works in a dedicated, dim room — not the same faders as tracking. That avoids mix bias colouring the master. Analog inserts appear where they help, but decisions come from listening, not meters alone.

For vinyl we discuss side length, bass mono and HF limits; for broadcast we may ask for tighter dynamics. Streaming targets use our LUFS guide without promises about chart placement.

Files to send

Deliver stereo mixdowns as 24-bit WAV, no limiter on the mix bus unless that is your sound — say so. A few dB headroom is ideal. Note sample rate; we keep it unless you want downsampling for a specific medium.

• Single: filename with title and version
• EP: numbered order and desired gap lengths in seconds
• Instrumental and vocal versions labelled separately

Mix not finished? Book mixing first; we do not master unfinished roughs except by arrangement for a demo deadline.

Revisions and collaboration

Per-track or EP fee includes 2 revision rounds with concrete notes (timestamps, ‘chorus slightly softer’, etc.). Extra rounds or stem mastering from separate buses sit outside the standard package and are quoted upfront.

We note chosen loudness and delivered formats so the next single stays consistent. Technical scope disputes fall under terms and conditions.

Rates

Prices include 21% VAT:

More than six tracks on one release? Request a quote via contact — often scaled per extra track. Business clients: payment within 14 days after invoice available.

Delivery formats

Default: 24-bit WAV at mix sample rate, plus 16-bit when you need CD duplication. MP3 only on request for quick previews. DDP for vinyl or CD plant after agreement — you supply ISRC and credits; we do not give copyright advice.

Streaming platforms normalise themselves; we master so your track does not sound dull after upload, without extreme clipping. Exact LUFS depends on genre — discuss in the brief.

Not included

Mixing, editing, tuning, sample clearance, artwork, distribution and marketing sit outside mastering. Repair of damaged source files may be possible at hourly surcharge. No guarantee of commercial success — see disclaimer.

We do not share master session plugin chains by default; you receive final audio and a short delivery note. If you need vinyl and streaming cuts from the same master, name both targets at intake so we avoid guessing a second pass later.

Timeline and archive

Turnaround is typically three to five business days after complete delivery; rush by arrangement at extra cost. We keep masters 24 months, then remove from active archive unless you buy an extension.

Milepostvivo has operated since 2019 from Helmersstraat 73. Drop-in hours for pickup or chat: Mon–Fri 10–22, Sat 10–18 — mastering itself is remote. If a mix is not ready we send you back to the mixer with concrete notes so you are not paying for a master built on unfinished source. More answers on FAQ.

Included

• Critical listening on full-range monitors
• EQ, dynamics and limiting for release
• 2 revision rounds per track or EP
• 24-bit WAV master
• Sequence and gaps for EP package
• Secure download link
• Archive 24 months