What mastering does and does not do
Mastering balances level, tone and dynamics for a single or an album. It will not fix a broken mix, but it makes a solid mix release-ready. We work on calibrated monitors at Van Boetzelaerstraat 35 and tailor formats to your distribution path.
If the mix is not final, finish mixing first — including 2 revision rounds. Avoid heavily limited mixes unless you truly want no extra headroom.
Digital delivery for streaming
Platforms in the Netherlands and abroad usually take PCM (WAV) or FLAC through your aggregator. We supply 16-bit/44.1 kHz WAV for many workflows, and 24-bit/48 kHz when requested. Expect loudness normalisation around −14 LUFS integrated (Spotify, Apple Music and others measure slightly differently).
We do not master “as loud as possible” unless you ask; we aim for consistent perceived loudness in your genre. Send reference tracks when ordering via contact.
Download, Bandcamp and your own store
Direct sales often use 24-bit FLAC plus 16-bit WAV. FLAC saves bandwidth losslessly; some buyers want the choice. Fix metadata (ISRC, title, artist) before upload — we embed tags only if you supply the data.
Hi-res is optional; not every audience pays for 96 kHz. EP packages up to six tracks are mastered as a set for €295.
CD and short-run manufacturing
CD plants often want a DDP image or WAV sets with a PQ list (track lengths, gaps, ISRC). We can deliver DDP when you request it at order time; otherwise WAV per track plus a sequence log.
Always check a reference burn or DDP player before duplication. Gap or hidden-track errors are costly. Vinyl sometimes needs a separate lacquer master — ask early; vinyl limits differ from CD.
Format overview
| Purpose | Typical format | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming via aggregator | 16/44.1 WAV or 24-bit if required | Check your distributor |
| Bandcamp / download | 24-bit FLAC + 16-bit WAV | Metadata upfront |
| CD pressing | DDP or WAV + PQ | Test before manufacturing |
| Instrumental / TV | 24-bit WAV, sometimes M&E | Agree separately |
Albums up to twelve tracks use €520; singles use €75.
Delivering the mix
Send interleaved stereo WAV at your project sample rate. No MP3. Leave −3 to −6 dBFS headroom on the mix bus when we master. Include artist, title, album and track order.
Stems from elsewhere? Read delivering stems for mixing — bad sources waste time before mastering makes sense. If we mixed in-house, mastering can follow on the same project archive (kept 12 months).
Revisions, pricing and timing
Mastering includes small tweaks after first listen (loudness, fade). A full remaster after a new mix is a new job. Do not book mastering the day before release — distributors need lead time.
Book via contact; 25% deposit under terms and conditions. B2B invoices may use a 14-day term when agreed.
Ownership questions sit between parties; Murkiernode B.V. provides technical services — see disclaimer.
Summary
- Finish the mix first; mastering prepares release, it does not replace mixing.
- Streaming: WAV/FLAC per distributor; aim near −14 LUFS.
- CD: DDP or WAV + PQ; always test before pressing.
- Rates: €75 per track, €295 EP, €520 album.
Overall project costs: band recording budget planning. Re-tracking vocals? vocal warm-up before session keeps the day efficient.
