delivery formats & faq.

what to send, what you'll get back, and answers to the questions that come up most.

sending files for mastering

what file format should I send?

WAV or AIFF, uncompressed, at the sample rate and bit depth you mixed in — usually 24-bit, 44.1kHz or 48kHz. Please don't send MP3s or other lossy formats for mastering; the compression artefacts are permanent and limit what can be done.

how loud should my mix be before sending it over?

Leave headroom — ideally peaks around -6dB to -3dB, with no limiting or maximizing on the master bus. A mix that's already been squashed to commercial loudness gives me much less to work with. If in doubt, send it quieter rather than louder.

should I remove processing from my master bus first?

Generally yes — bypass or remove any limiter, maximizer, or heavy bus compression before bouncing. Gentle bus glue (light compression, subtle EQ) that's genuinely part of your mix's character is fine to leave in; when unsure, send both a version with and without, or just ask.

how do I actually send you the files?

WeTransfer, Dropbox, or Google Drive all work well — a link is easiest. The contact form has an optional field for exactly this if you're getting in touch about a new project.

what you'll get back

what formats will my master be delivered in?

By default: a 24-bit WAV at your original sample rate (streaming-ready), plus an MP3 (320kbps) for quick reference and sharing. If you need specific formats for vinyl cutting, broadcast, or a particular distributor's requirements, let me know before we start and I'll match that spec exactly.

do you deliver DDP for vinyl or CD pressing?

Yes, on request — just flag it upfront so the master and any track spacing/PQ information is prepared correctly from the start.

how many revisions are included?

One round of revisions is included as standard with every master. If something needs more than that, it's usually a quick conversation rather than a big back-and-forth — just get in touch.

general

how long does a typical master take?

Usually 48–72 hours for a single track from receiving your files, though this can flex around release deadlines — mention your timeline when you get in touch and I'll confirm turnaround before starting.

can I hear examples before booking?

Yes — the portfolio page has a growing selection, or just ask directly for something closer to your genre.

what if I'm not sure mastering is what I need?

Completely normal — send over what you've got and a quick note on where you're stuck. Sometimes what sounds like a mastering problem is actually a mix issue, and it's worth saying so honestly rather than mastering over it.

didn't find what you're looking for? get in touch directly.