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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 analogue equipment available, serving 100s of independent and major artists worldwide.

So how much does this cost?
For attended sessions we charge £80 + VAT per hour.
For online mastering we charge £50 + VAT 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!

Preparing Your Audio: Please refer to the FAQ below to prepare your files correctly. If you are attending a session and are unsure if your files are prepared correctly please contact us in advance to check them for you to avoid additional costs.




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 to select your order options before proceeding to checkout and payment.
2. Click UPLOAD YOUR FILES. at the top right of any page on this website. We recommend that you ZIP all of your files together before uploading if possible. Please include the ARTIST NAME in the 'Message' box when uploading. Any additional instructions such as ISRC codes or track order should also be provided here.

NB: If you do not wish to upload audio please include your Google Checkout order number with any physical masters sent or dropped to the studio.

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
    2-3 Tracks
    2 Hours
    4-5 Tracks:
    3 Hours
    6-7 Tracks:
    4 Hours
    8-9 Tracks:
    5 Hours
    10-11 Tracks
    6 Hours
    12-13 Tracks:
    7 Hours
    14-15 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.
     
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