Mastering

The final step before release: tune loudness and balance for streaming, download, or pressing, with critical listening in a treated room and clear delivery formats.

Mastering at Mislikervyraxi is for artists, producers, and labels who have a mixed track or EP and want it ready for distribution. We work from approved stereo mixes (or agreed stem sets only when arranged in advance), not from raw band multitracks. The mastering engineer checks translation on speakers and headphones, then adjusts EQ, dynamics, and limiting within what the genre and medium need.

The service pairs naturally with mixing in the same building at Overtoom 141 in Amsterdam, but you can master material mixed elsewhere. Pricing is fixed per track or EP, plus optional vinyl preparation. Revisions, turnaround, and payment follow our terms and conditions; delivery rules overlap with deliver mix stems where uploads are concerned.

How it works

01
Delivery
Upload mixed WAV or AIFF, 24-bit, with roughly 3–6 dB headroom on the mix bus; note sample rate, title, and target medium.
02
Check
We scan for clips, DC offset, long silences, and metadata; if something blocks a good master, we contact you before processing.
03
Master
EQ, dynamics, stereo adjustments where needed, then loudness targets suited to streaming or vinyl prep.
04
Revisions
You receive masters and instrumentals if ordered; 2 revision rounds are included, then hourly or by quote.

When mastering helps

Mastering shows its value when the mix already works but feels different on a phone, in a car, or on small speakers than in your room. It is also the stage to match loudness across an EP and prepare files for Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, or download stores.

If the mix still has big issues — vocal level, resonances, muddy bass — we prefer fixing that in mixing or with your mixer. Mastering does not replace an unfinished mix; we will say when sending it back is smarter.

Who we work with

Clients include solo artists with a single, bands that tracked at band recording and mixed elsewhere, producers handling several acts, and small labels on short timelines. Instrumental beds, jingles, and score cues are fine when they arrive as stereo mixes.

Audiobook and spoken projects belong under audiobook recording or vocals and voice; they follow different loudness practice. State at intake whether the material is music or speech so we pick the right workflow.

Room and workflow

Mastering happens in a dedicated, treated listening space within our 3 rooms. The engineer — on our team for both mix and mastering — uses full-range monitors and always checks on a second system and closed-back headphones so problems hidden on one pair do not slip through.

We combine analog outboard where it adds musicality with digital tools for precision and recall. Each master ships with a short note: loudness approach, whether a vinyl version was included, and maximum true peak used.

Delivery specs

Send one stereo file per song, interleaved WAV or AIFF, preferably 24-bit. The mix bus may have gentle compression but should not be brickwall-limited with no headroom left. Avoid mp3 sources unless that is all you have; lossy sources stack artefacts.

Sample rate: 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz; keep one rate across an EP
Silence at start and end: short; avoid long fades we cannot adjust
Optional: instrumental mix without vocals on a separate file
References: up to two tracks in a similar genre, not commercial masters to copy

Upload via the link in your confirmation or a route agreed through contact. Oversized files? Ask about chunked upload or hand-off on drive at Overtoom 141 by appointment.

Streaming, download, and vinyl

For streaming we deliver masters that follow common loudness practice without unnecessary clipping. Platform targets change; we aim for a consistent EP or album experience, not a marketing number on a meter.

Vinyl preparation (€95 per track on top of mastering) accounts for bass mono compatibility, side length, and extra checks for pressing. You arrange the plant; we deliver files to their latest spec when you provide it. Without a plant spec we take a conservative approach and say so in the notes.

Rates and packages

Mastering is quoted per project, not per studio hour, so budgets stay predictable.

Mastering rates (incl. 21% VAT)
Package	Price	Notes
Single track	€75	One title, stereo master plus revisions
EP up to 6 tracks	€265	Up to six titles, consistent EP balance
Vinyl preparation	€95	Per track, with or after mastering

More than six titles on one release? Request a quote via contact or see services. Business invoicing on 21-day terms is available for registered companies.

Revisions and turnaround

Each order includes 2 revision rounds: one bundled round of feedback per delivered master, with concrete notes (for example slightly more air in the chorus, less bass on track two). Vague comparisons slow the process; timecodes help.

Turnaround is typically five to ten working days after complete delivery, depending on queue. Rush is sometimes possible for a fee when the calendar allows — ask ahead. We aim to answer quotes and status questions within 3 working days.

Files and archive

You receive 24-bit WAV masters for distribution, and 16-bit on request. DDP for CD pressing is only when you order it explicitly and supply specs. Metadata (ISRC, titles) is usually added in your distributor or label tool unless contracted otherwise.

Project files are kept 18 months per our privacy policy. After that, revisions or re-exports cannot be guaranteed. Store masters locally and with your distributor.

With recording and mixing

In-house we often mix material from band recording or vocals and voice; mastering then follows with the same engineer who knows the mix. Externally mixed tracks are welcome — include mixer notes when you have them.

If you do not have a mix yet, start with mixing and stem organisation as in deliver mix stems. Broader questions sit on FAQ; for usage and rights, see disclaimer and terms and conditions.

Included

Critical listening in treated mastering room
EQ, dynamics, and medium-appropriate loudness
Clip, true-peak, and stereo-phase checks
24-bit WAV master for release
2 revision rounds per ordered track
Short written note on delivery
Archive for 18 months

FAQ

Can I master without mixing at your studio?

Yes. Send a solid stereo mix. If we hear major mix problems we will suggest mixing or talking to your mixer first; we do not silently turn mastering into a full remix.

How loud will my song be on Spotify?

Platforms normalise playback. We target a consistent EP or album experience within common mastering practice, without promising your meter matches another artist exactly.

What counts as one revision round?

One bundled response per delivered master, within reasonable scope. Several scattered emails over days count as one round; beyond 2 rounds is charged extra.

Do you deliver Apple Digital Masters or MFiT?

If your distributor requires a specific master format, send their spec. We deliver files that meet common requirements; extra certification workflows are quoted case by case via contact.

Is stem mastering available?

Standard work is stereo. Stem mastering only when agreed upfront and quoted, because it changes time and price significantly.