Mastering is the process of executing the finishing touches on a record before it goes into manufacturing – it is the mastered audio that is sent to the cassette manufacturing facility, the CD factory, vinyl factory, or when it comes to streaming, a digital distributor.
At Sjötta Sound Online Mastering we take great care of Your art by making sure that the songs we are commissioned are up to industrial standards in a technical, but also in an artistic way. While it is not our job to drastically alter the character or the balance of a song, through equalization and dynamic processing we can bring the required oomph and brilliance that eventually show everything that track can offer to listeners.
At the end of the process you will get your songs back that are prepared to be distributed in a format of your order, sounding… well, just beautiful.
That said, our services include the following:
STEREO MASTERING
During stereo mastering, we are commissioned to master a single stereo .wav file. This is a finished mix, bounced by the client (You) with nothing on its master channel and a headroom of 12dB, so the master fader set at -12dB. This will be our headroom to do the magic.
Stereo masters nowadays usually end up at digital distributors. If you have a specific request for a specific streaming service provider (for example, because the majority of your audience listens to your music on Spotify), please let us know in the comments at Checkout.
A typical turnaround for stereo mastering a song is 4-5 days.
STEM MASTERING
Stem mastering is more flexible than stereo mastering in that we are sent parts of the mix which makes it possible to somewhat modify the balance, but with very little increments, in order to better assist the mastering process. We are talking 1-4dBs, so nothing gets lost.
It is important to emphasize that stems are not bounced according to what instrument they are. Stems are compiled by function. If you have loud lead synths in the song with crystal vocals, then they will surely end up in the same group. Drums are naturally always in one stem.
A typical turnaround for stem mastering a song is 4-6 days.
SPATIAL MASTERING
A stem mastering process, but in space. Works are very similar but the different stems are placed in a virtual room to be enjoyed as immersive sound. Spatial mastering is best for Apple Music, as these files will show up as “Atmos” versions. (Note that Atmos uploads are distributor-dependent opportunities and although fulfilling technical standards, can be rejected by Apple.)
Please make sure to include the reverb track and the FX track as separate stems.
Spatial mastering is not yet available.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
These can be added to existing stereo/stem mastering orders. Prices are per song.
Vinyl Mastering
We take great care to fulfil the technical and mechanical requirements to prepare vinyl manufacturing. We supply complete sides, custom mastered for the format so all you need to do is send the masters and the other required files specified by the vinyl plant.
Cassette Mastering
Ten years ago few would have bet that things would be looking up for cassettes but they do. From Linkin Park to Taylor Swift all the way to The Cure or Dua Lipa, even the biggest productions manufacture cassettes. Not nearly as prestigious but just as cute and fulfilling, cassettes need special care and specific technical considerations, as well as arranging. We supply A and B sides with the required technical features.
DDP Printing
DDP is the custom format provided to CD manufacturing plants. DDPs are essential for CD manufacturing.