Frequent questions
In this section of Faq's you will get all the information necessary to send us the best possible sound and be able to get them.
FAQ MASTERING
What exactly is mastering?
Technically called pre-master, it is the last creative and technical step in a record production towards the final product. This is the last chance to make sure everything falls into place and to adjust the overall volume and tone of the entire project. This is achieved through the use of compressors, limiters, equalizers, M/S techniques, and other tools.
Successful mastering depends on several things: a highly trained ear, and an appropriate mix of mastering-grade equipment, plus an ideal acoustic environment.
Why does my music need to be mastered?
The mastering stage gives clarity, impact, and consistency to your audio production before it is duplicated, replicated, or played on the radio. Mastering creates better separation between all the instruments, can give a kick drum more punch, make a guitar sound heavier, and make a voice fit into the mix without being masked by other instruments.
Basically, although mastering can't fix a bad mix, every album released for commercial distribution has been mastered, simply because it's essential to being competitive.
How should I prepare my audio tracks to be mastered?
For mastering projects we need the stereo file of your mix for each song. Make sure that your Master bus does not contain a limiter and that your audio does not reach 0 dBfs.
To get the best possible result, your audio files should be in .WAV or .AIFF format with a bit depth of at least 16bits (preferably 24bits and 32bits) and a sampling frequency of at least 44.1KHz. It is important that they are exported directly from your mix, not converted to .WAV or .AIFF from MP3 or some other compressed format.
We recommend that the peaks of the mix not exceed -4 dBfs on the Master bus. This will allow us to have more Headroom to work with, thus preserving the dynamic range of your music. Without dynamic range the final track would sound thin and weak.
What is the delivery time for a mastering project at K4Media Studios?
Our delivery time varies according to the size of the project. Usually we will deliver the work already mastered in a range of between 3 and 10 days.
Can I submit my mix as an MP3 or other compressed file?
We prefer that you do not send compressed files for mixing or mastering. We can work with these files if it's the only option and you don't have access to the original .wav or .aiff files.
Converting .mp3 files to .wav or .aiff will not improve the quality of the audio file. Once the file is converted to .mp3 or other compressed format, it loses quality and cannot be recovered again.
What if I am not completely satisfied with the results of my mastering?
We sincerely hope that this is not the case. However, if it happens that you don't feel that the mastering went the way you expected, you have 2 additional revisions to make changes or final adjustments at no additional cost. Either way, we want you to be completely satisfied with your final Master.
Can I send a reference track of an artist or band that I like in my musical genre?
Ideally, of course, you should send us at least one reference song. Especially if it is your first time working with us.
Can I put a compressor or limiter on the Master bus of my mix?
No please do not use any effects on the Master bus. Only use the effects you think are necessary on the individual tracks during mixdown.
Can I master a single song with you?
Yes, we have no minimum or maximum on the number of songs we accept for mixing or mastering.
Can mastering fix mix errors or remove distortion?
Although we have the possibility to fix some bugs by adjusting levels and equalization, it is recommended to fix these problems during the mix if possible.
Will uploading the tracks affect the audio quality?
No. As long as you send us files of reasonable quality, at least 16 bits and a sample rate of 44.1KHz or higher, and the file upload is not interrupted, we will receive your files without problems. Anyway we will contact you if there is any error.
How will I know when the tracks have been mastered and are ready to download?
Once the tracks have been mastered, we will send an e-mail informing you that they are already on the server and can be downloaded.
The mastered tracks will be available to download as many times as you want, for 2 weeks.
MIX FAQ
How should I prepare my files before they are delivered for mixing?
Make a note of any tracks that are already processed, or specify if there are any tracks that you do not want processed at all.
Please do not submit multiple takes of each channel, send us only the takes you want us to use. Determining which shots are the best is considered production work.
Bring your tracks as clean as possible; no background noise, hiss, breathing or popping. Removing these issues is considered editing and not part of the Shuffle service.
Make sure the track names make sense; Name the lead voice, “lead voice” and not “José”, or “track 03”.
What formats do you accept for mixing?
We prefer .WAV, .AIFF, OMF files, and Pro Tools files for mixing and mastering projects. In the case of .wav, .aiff, and OMF, all tracks must have the same duration, be consolidated, so that they are aligned in our system.
All files must be of the same format, be in sync, and have the same bit and sample rate.
All effects must be removed from your mix before it is delivered to us, unless you are sure you want them on your track. Once an effect is printed in a mix, there is no way to get rid of it.
Do I have revisions and/or opportunities to make changes per mix?
You have a maximum of 3 reviews per song. Please take the time to listen and write down all the things you want to review. Be clear and concise in your reviews.
Can I send my files/session in MP3 or other compressed file?
We prefer that you do not send compressed files for mixing or mastering. We can work with these files if it's the only option and you don't have access to the original .wav or .aiff files.
Converting .mp3 files to .wav or .aiff will not improve the quality of the audio file. Once the file is converted to .mp3 or other compressed format, it loses quality and cannot be recovered again.
Can I send a reference track of an artist or band that I like in my musical genre?
Ideally, of course, you should send us at least one reference song. Especially if it is your first time working with us.
Can I mix a single song with you?
Yes, we have no minimum or maximum on the number of songs we accept for mixing or mastering.