Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does mastering cost? How long does it take?

2. What can I expect from you? What are you going to do to my album exactly?

3. What do I need to provide to you (file format, etc.) to facilitate mastering?

4. How do we work together if I am not attending my session? How do I deliver files online or use FTP?

5. What are ISRC codes, and how do I get them on my release?

6. How do I make my song titles appear in iTunes or other computer software?

7. Can you help me make vinyl instead of / as well as CD's?

8. What extra services do you offer? What is analog summing and tape layback?

9. Will you make my CD louder than a hydrogen bomb if I ask nicely?

10. What's the deal with the studio? Who works there?

3. What do I need to provide to you (file format, etc.) to facilitate mastering?

We prefer to receive mixes as 24 bit data files (WAV or AIF, 44.1 to 96 kHz), or on 1/4" or 1/2" tape (15-30 IPS)

We can work from data CDR's & DVDR's, usb memory keys, audio cd, DAT, minidisc, cassette, vinyl records, any device with analog, S/PDIF, AES, lightpipe, USB, or firewire 400/800 connectivity.

Please do not up or downsample your current file format if you are already working in the digital domain, provide your mixes at whatever sample rate you've been working in. We recommend you bounce your mixes to 24 bit files even if you've been recording or editing with 16 bit sources.

Data CDR's and DVDR's are preferred over audio discs because of their more reliable error correction design. At the end of the day, work with just about any kind of source material -- if you are bringing in something non-standard, please contact us to make sure the necessary machines and cabling are available. As a rule of thumb, please perform as few transfers and format changes as possible, any kind of copy or transfer (other than a straight data copy) will degrade your materials.

If you only have an audio CD to work with and are going to extract (rip) your files yourself, please use either Max (for Mac) or Exact Audio Copy (for PC) to ensure you get a high quality copy.

Please also complete as much of this spreadsheet as possible and email it ahead or bring it to your session.