Audio & CD Mastering Studio in London, UK. Attended Mastering & Online Mastering / eMastering Available

Standard Rates

MASTERING
(AT STUDIO)

£60 + VAT
Per Hour

MASTERING
(ONLINE ONLY)

£50 + VAT
Per Track

Special Album Rate

MASTERING
(ONLINE)

£500 + VAT
Up To 15 Tracks.

DDP Image for CD Replication
Audio Reference CD
WAV Data Disc
ISRC & PQ Insertion
Download Link

FREE UK delivery of masters.

Analogue tape transfers £60 + VAT per hour. Per Track applies up to 8 mins.

What Is Audio Mastering?
Audio Mastering is the final part of the music process where your songs are given their final gloss. The mastering engineer will give your audio extra clarity and volume as well as bringing multiple songs together for consistency across your CD and when played on different systems. Mastering is essential in getting optimum impact for your recordings.

Why Use Blue Pro Mastering?
We offer the highest possible standards in Audio CD mastering, with experienced engineers, using only the best in analogue and digital audio equipment from Prism, Maselec, Manley, TC Electronic and Dynaudio Air. All at extremely low prices.

So how much does this cost?
For attended sessions we charge £60 + VAT per hour.
For online mastering we charge £50 per track. VAT will be applied to customers within the EU only.

What Do I Get Exactly?
Online Mastering: Standard delivery is a download link to 16 Bit, 44.1kHz WAV files of your masters. You can also choose to download a DDP Image for CD replication or order a full physical disc set (DDP Image for CD Replication, Audio Reference CD, WAV Data Disc) to be mailed to you.

Attended Sessions: We include a full physical master disc set (DDP Image for CD Replication, Audio Reference CD, WAV Data Disc) in the price. No Hidden extras!

The process includes:

Equalisation & Compression
Stereo Width Adjustment
Noise Reduction
Phase & Balance Correction

Peak Limiting
Track Sequencing & PQ
Fades & Crossfades
Insertion of ISRC Codes

Mastering: The Absolutely Essential Information

Online Mastering: How to Order

1. Click PLACE YOUR ORDER at the top right of any page on this website.

2. Select the NUMBER OF TRACKS to be mastered. A WAV Download is included as standard.

3. ADDITIONAL FORMAT OPTIONS. Select to receive a downloadable DDP (CD Replication Master) and / or a Physical Master Disc Set (Audio CD, WAV Data Disc & DDP (CD Replication Master) to be mailed to you. If you have ISRC Codes or are replicating CDs you will require one of these two options.

4. PAYMENT. Our checkout service is provided by Google. This may required a quick registration. All major debit and credit cards accepted.

5. UPLOAD YOUR FILES. Once your order is completed via Google Checkout please click Back To Blue Pro. This will direct you to the upload page. If for any reason your browser directs you away from this page it may reached directly at http://www.blueprostudios.com/upload-your-files. We recommend that you ZIP all of your files together before uploading. Please include any ISRC Codes and additional instructions that you wish the engineer to receive in the 'Message' box when uploading.

NB: If you do not wish to upload audio please exit after you receive your Google Checkout confirmation. Please include your order number when sending in your audio by mail or if you are dropping it directly to the studio. Please contact us to confirm this delivery method.

Address: Blue Pro Mastering, Unit 11, 407-409 Hornsey Road, London, N19 4DX.

We accept the following physical formats:

CD-Rom, DVD-Rom, Hard Drives & USB Sticks, 1/4” or 1/2” Analogue Tape (Subject To Transfer Charges)

Audio CD, DAT, MiniDisc (Not recommended due to error considerations)

How do I prepare my audio for mastering?

Do not limit your mix. If you have a sound that you wish to achieve as a result of the limiting then send or bring a reference track.

Do not normalize your mix.

Your audio should peak at a level no higher than -3db or lower than -6db.

File Types, Bit Depth & Sample Rates

Your audio must be provided according to the setting committed in your recording session. i.e. If you have recorded at 24 bit / 48khz you should provide files at this precise setting.

However we recommend the following settings in future:

File Type: WAV / AIF Bit Rate: 24 Bit Sample Rate: 96khz*

How long does mastering take?

For tradiional mastering from a stereo audio file or format we recommend allowing an average of 40 mins for each track to be mastered with an additional 20-30 minutes to insert ISRC codes, sequence your tracks and prepare your master discs.

Please note the following is a guide only for calculating the time you should need if booking an attended session. You will only pay for the hours used as we will refund fully unused hours.

1 Track: 1 Hour	2 Tracks 2 Hours	3-4 Tracks: 3 Hours	5-6 Tracks: 4 Hours
6-7 Tracks: 5 Hours	*8-9 Tracks* 6 Hours	10-11 Tracks: 7 Hours	12-13 Tracks: 8 Hours

NB: We recommend 1 hour per track for all Separation Mastering.

What are ISRC codes and how do I get them?

What is an ISRC Code? The Internationally Recognised Royalty Code. A 10 digit code to identify your specific recording and country of origin on playback. It is important for ensuring royallties from radio play. We recommend all clients use ISRC.

How do I get an ISRC code? It is free to get ISRC codes from PPL and can be arranged very quickly and easily. Click here to visit PPL to get your codes.

Will the ISRC code be on all my masters? The code will be embedded in both your Audio Reference CD and your DDP Image (CD Replication Master). Please note that It is not possible to embed an ISRC code into a WAV file.

Audio CDRs VS DDP Images as your master.

Audio CDRs are prone to very high error counts which you risk being replicated on your CD run. We encourage the exclusive use of DDP images as your master for CD Replication.

A DDP image can be easily transferred online and by using standard media but with a much reduced risk of errors compared to traditional real-time audio formats.

All CDs mastered by Blue Pro Mastering and subsequently replicated by Blue Pro Media will use the DDP Image from your mastering session, directly transferred online to the pressing plant, ruling out using unreliable disc formats altogether.

Click here for further information on DDP Images.

Testimonials

Who Uses Blue Pro?

Standard Rates

Special Album Rate

All prices include:

Mastering: The Absolutely Essential Information