Frequently Asked Questions
Mastering is the final act of taste.
I don’t chase “loud” or “correct”—I chase the tone that’s been living in my head since the first record I ever loved. Every track that lands on my desk gets weighed against a lifetime of obsessive listening.
Mastering Rates
Stereo + Dolby Atmos Masters @R850 per track.
Our rate includes all edits, stems, unlimited revisions and Apple Digital Masters so their are never any “extra charges”
Bulk Discounts:
Reduced rates available for Labels and Mixing Engineers. Please contact us here
Mixing is about putting the puzzle pieces together; mastering is about the final varnish and presentation.
What is a bad mix ? Who decides if something is good or bad ?
- Resolution 32 Bit floating point (24 Bit TDIF or triangular dithered minimum)
- Sample rate Native sample rate you have been recording and mixing in.
- Headroom Just make the mix sound great :). Thoughtful master bus processing is always welcome.
- Plug-ins Please export the mix with all important sound processors.
- Fades Do not fade out the file yourself
- Vinyl Please send me the catalog number and pressing plant contact details.
- Stems Please export each stem with all processing including anything on the master bus that was mixed through. Files should all be the same length and labeled appropriately.
- Please avoid sending mix files that have been “pre-mastered,” overly processed, or excessively loud due to digital enhancements. We understand that certain plug-ins applied to the master fader/bus may be crucial for the overall sound, but if you’re solely increasing loudness, it’s best to remove these effects before submitting the final mix files for mastering.
As standard we provide your master back at the native sample rate plus down converts to ensure you have a proper archival of your project.
- Mp3 – @320kpbs
- 44-16 Folder – 44.1kHz, 16-bit tracks for CD reference
- 44-24 Folder – 44.1kHz, 24-bit for Digital Download sites where digital upload at 96kHz aren’t accepted
- 48-24 Folder – 48kHz, 24bit. If you are using the songs with video or YouTube, use these
- 96-24 Folder – 24-bit Hi-Res Mastered files for all streaming sites where possible.
- ADM – Apple Digital Masters
We keep a copy of the final approved files in multiple formats indefinitely so if you happen to need access to your master folder again please give us a shout.
It averages from 2 to 3 days for a single to 10 to 14 days for an album depending on studio workflow. If you have something urgent please WhatsApp and we can arrange a faster turnaround or contact our studio manager at studio@desgreymastering.co.za
Yes, we believe in collaboration. We offer unlimited revisions until you are 100% satisfied with your master.
Stem mastering involves processing groups of instruments (e.g., drums, bass, vocals, synths) as separate files, offering more precise control over individual elements during the mastering stage. It’s recommended for complex mixes that could benefit from extra refinement or to address specific tonal issues more deeply.
Yes, This involves unique considerations for dynamics, bass frequencies, and overall level to ensure your music translates perfectly to the analog format.
Follow link to upload files directly to us.
Book online session here or if online is not your thing drop us a mail or message.
Please avoid sending mix files that have been “pre-mastered,” overly processed, or excessively loud due to digital enhancements. We understand that certain plug-ins applied to the master fader/bus may be crucial for the overall sound, but if you’re solely increasing loudness, it’s best to remove these effects before submitting the final mix files for mastering.
We use what is appropriate for the music at hand.