Mastering

Who benefits from mastering

Artists releasing singles or albums to streaming, labels wanting a neutral second set of ears, and producers who mix themselves but want the final stage handled. Spoken-word or podcast work usually fits podcast and dialogue recording — this page is for music mixes.

If you only have a rough demo without a real mix, start with mixing. Mastering cannot invent width that is not in the mix. Minimum booking age is 18.

Delivery specs

Send one stereo file per title:

• WAV 24-bit, same sample rate as your mix (48 kHz unless agreed otherwise)
• No master-bus limiter pinning the mix under -1 dBTP without discussion
• Clear filename: Artist_Title_Mix_v3.wav
• For albums: track order and desired gaps between songs

Include a reference track near your loudness and tone goal — not to copy it, but to anchor the conversation. Large bundles via link or SSD at Overtoom 301.

Loudness and streaming

Spotify, Apple Music and other services normalize playback. We aim so your track does not drop unexpectedly after upload, without flattening every transient. We note integrated loudness briefly so your release team can archive it.

Extreme genre targets (very loud EDM versus dynamic jazz) belong in the brief. We do not promise chart placement; we deliver a technically sound master inside an agreed loudness band.

Single track versus album

A standalone master is €72 incl. 21% VAT. A release up to twelve titles uses €545 when mixes are similarly prepared. Track thirteen or mixes needing hours of editing are quoted separately.

Album mastering includes sequencing: order, crossfades where wanted, and consistent perceived level across songs. Instrumental or clean versions master as separate files at the track rate when delivered together.

Workflow, Jonas and revisions

Mastering usually runs through Jonas Meijer (mix and mastering engineer). After intake you get a delivery date — often three to seven business days once mixes are complete and approved. The service includes one revision round: send timestamped notes in a single email (“0:42 — less sibilance”).

Extra revisions or a second master for another platform (instrumental-only, for example) bill per track or by the hour. Mix revisions live under mixing with up to 2 rounds there; mastering keeps a tighter revision frame so releases ship.

What you receive

Standard package:

1. 24-bit master WAV for distributor upload
2. Optional MP3 or AAC preview for phone checks
3. Short note with peak, loudness and ISRC fields you fill at the aggregator

DDP for CD or vinyl-specific masters is case-by-case via contact — not in the default track rate. Files stay 24 months in our archive, then delete unless extended. See privacy policy for handling.

Pricing and VAT

Net indication: €59.50 excl. VAT per track. Deposit 30% on larger projects; business clients 14 days payment term. Full legal text: terms and conditions.

Service limits

No remix, vocal tuning, sample clearance, artwork or distributor account setup. If the mix clips or vocals sit under drums, we send you back to mix — mastering will not hide that long term.

We do not master illegal samples or content that breaks studio policy. Rights questions partly appear in rights after a vocal session; band material is between your contracts. More answers: FAQ.

Schedule and contact

Monday–Friday 09:30–18:30, Saturday by appointment. Closed on Sunday. Rush mastering may be possible for a surcharge — email [email protected]. Trams 1 and 7 stop at Overtoom; from that stop it is about a 2-minute walk to number 301. From Amsterdam Centraal, tram 1 towards Osdorp takes roughly 15 minutes. By bike from Leidseplein it is about 6 minutes via Overtoom. Recording the same release week? See services for live band recording and vocal recording under one roof.

Morceauxnode B.V., KvK 63085050. Book mastering via contact with tracklist, target release date and mix links. We reply within 2 business days on weekdays.