Mastering is the last step in the process of finishing a recording, making sure that it not only sounds great on any medium it’s being sent to (streaming, CD, vinyl, etc), but also that it can be enjoyed in any format for consumer playback (speakers, headphones, car stereo, etc). What that means in engineering terms is that using a set of specialized tools, I craft the final sound into one that meets those requirements. Not only am I an engineer in the sense that I understand the nuances of audio and how to make it sound great, but I’m also an excellent QC’er that knows how to step back and look at the whole piece objectively, effectively offering another set of eyes and ears to make sure that everything checks out before it’s truly done.
The tools or gear that I use don’t matter nearly as much as the final result does, and so the difference with Commonwealth comes down to the experience. I don’t care about having the latest and greatest tech and using that as a selling point, I care about your work and giving you the best experience possible in helping it get finished. That means a personalized experience from start to finish, one in which you can trust that every question has been answered and that you’re totally and emphatically satisfied with the end result.
Competitive, balanced, and finished. If they don’t meet this metric, then they’re not done! In terms of loudness, while I don’t strive to master specifically just for the sake of, if you want your track to be loud, I will certainly accommodate.
I send and receive files via WeTransfer, Dropbox, Google Drive, or however else is necessary. The link to my WeTransfer page can be found here.
Once the project is completed, you’ll receive the files back through WeTransfer (unless otherwise noted).
The average turnaround time for most mastering projects is approximately 3- 7 working days from the time I receive the project files and confirm scheduling. However, this timeline is subject to change depending on the project. To make sure that your project is sent back to you in time, please contact me at least 14 working days before your release date/production deadline.
Yes! Since each version of a song requires a different mastering approach, it will be treated as a separate master and subsequently will require additional payment (at a discounted rate). Just make sure to include this in your contact form submission when you reach out!
I do offer unlimited revisions to our clients (as necessary), but this is up to Commonwealth Mastering’s discretion. Revisions requested more than 14 days after final project delivery may be subject to additional charges.
If you are unsure whether your mix is ready for mastering then feel free to send it over prior to booking a session. I’ll gladly have a listen and, if necessary, be able to offer any advice on how it could be improved before we move onto the mastering stage.
If you request a vinyl, cassette, or CD (DDP) master in your contact form submission, after the initial consultation you will be asked for a tracklist outlining the running order and track titles as they will appear across distribution channels. In addition, you will have the opportunity to request metadata to be embedded in your production masters.
For CD, you will receive a DDP image, which is what you send to the CD manufacturer. In addition to the song, it contains tracklist, sequencing, and metadata information needed for distribution. It can also include UPC/ISRC codes, if you have them.
For cassette, traditionally the cassette company requires 16-bit, 44.1kHz files. These will be split for the A side and B side beforehand, in accordance with the tracklist and sequencing requirements.
For vinyl, you’ll receive the high resolution files (96kHz, 24-bit WAV) for both sides A and B, as well a PDF cue sheet that you give the vinyl manufacturer. This tells them how to organize and sequence the tracklist, as well as other important information they need.
When exporting your mix or mixes, please use the same sample rate and bit depth that your session is set to. Any uncompressed file type such as WAV or AIFF is perfect! Please, no MP3s or any other lossy format. For ideal quality, a 48k (or higher) sample rate and 24 or 32 bit depth would be used, but settings at 44.1k, 16-bit are certainly acceptable.
Once you’ve completed your free consultation with me and I agree to the project, I’ll send over an official invoice via Wave Payments, which you can pay with either credit/debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or ACH bank transfers.
When the project is completed to your satisfaction and approved, the files will be securely held until the entire payment has been received. After that has been done, the files will be promptly released to you and sent over via WeTransfer.