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FAQs

What is mastering?

Mastering is the final, creative process that finalises your music before releasing it to the public. Mastering can help correct mix flaws (though it is always better to fix a mix before mastering), stabilise playback over a number of systems, balance tracks within an album and create a consistency within the project as a whole. Sometimes mastering simply casts an objective ear over your music to give you confidence that your music sounds correct. Mastering your music using a professional mastering engineer takes the guesswork out of your release, allows it to stand up to other commercial releases and gives it the edge over unmastered tracks.

Who have you mastered for?

Jason has mastered releases for many labels such Bonsai Progressive, ViVA Music, Mood Records, Drumcode, 4AD, Lucky Number, Sunday Best, Genius Music and Universal! He has also mastered for labels such as EMI, Island, Mute, Fiction, Warp, Beggars Banquet, Sony, Real World, Warners… You can scroll through some of his clients, here.

Can I hear some examples of mastering?

We have some examples in one of our studio blog posts. These show some good, contrasting mix to master samples and more will be added in time. Please click here to visit the post.

How should I supply my files?

WAV or AIFs should be uploaded via our Dropbox uplink. 16bit or higher resolution at 44.1k or better. Feel free to provide any audio examples of music you would like your sound to relate to (these can be MP3s or just titles that can be located on iTunes). Zipping up packages with all your content enclosed (notes, refs, WAVs, fade/compile guides, etc) is recommended for your, and our convenience.

Can I use my Dropbox to send you files?

Please send an invite link to the contact form on the uploads page: here.

What will I receive?

For individual tracks we supply master 16bit WAVs at 44.1k (for digital store standards) and a reference MP3 at 320kbps. For albums we supply WAVs for digital stores and a DDP master file if required. MFiT or HD WAVs can also be provided. Should you require only 24 WAVs and not the 16bit version, please let us know upon order else extra charges will incur.

How long will it take?

We aim to have masters back to you within five working days, an email confirming the provisional mastering date will be sent upon receipt of the files. Please note that the studio is busy and sometimes unavoidable delays can happen, you will be informed asap if this is the case. Please also note that emails can sometimes take a day to answer, we get a lot of emails!

Can I ask for a recall?

Should you not be happy with the mastering, please contact us to discuss. As an unattended service you are relying upon our expertise to give you a finished master that conforms to standards and our best guess as to what you like. Mastering is a creative process and sometimes the result may not be to your expectation. We will usually happily recall and provide another master however it is worth noting that sometimes the expectation and the music provided may not be feasible. All recalls are done at our discretion, the mastering service charges are still applicable but there is no charge for a recall.

The mastering highlighted some issues, can I supply a new mix?

Sometimes mastering can show some unexpected results from the supplied mix. Usually, if the mix doesn’t meet premastering requirements or the engineer flags some problems upon first listen, we will contact you and discuss mix issues and see if a new mix can be supplied. In this instance there is no charge as the mastering engineer is asking for the changes. If you wish to supply a new mix because you discovered a part is wrong or want to change the vocal (for example) then technically it’s classed as a new session and is billable. These instances are discretionary to the engineer.

Do you do demos?

If time allows then yes, we’re happy to master and upload an MP3 demo for you. The engineer will master the track and supply a section of it for you to hear. Please note that demos can take longer to return than booked mastering sessions, so they may not fit into our usual three day turn around policy. Please contact us (below) before sending a demo or clearly state DEMO ONLY on the upload page.

What is a DDP?

A DDP is a file specifically for CD replication (full CD production). If you’re not pressing CD’s then you don’t require a DDP.

What is Apple Digital Masters?

Apple Digital Masters is the new brand name for MFiT. MFiT is short for Mastered For iTunes. It’s a more specific WAV format that iTunes uses to create a better, higher resolution download file. We usually supply Apple Digital Masters files as 44.1k 24bit or 96k 24bit. Apple Digital Masters files normally have more headroom than standard WAVs so can also appear slightly quieter in volume (if they’re done correctly). Check that you can supply Apple Digital Masters files to iTunes before ordering. A word of caution, Apple Digital Masters don’t like up-sampled files, if your recordings are bounced at 16bit 44k then trying to supply higher resolution up-sampled versions may not pass Apple Digital Masters’ quality control. If you would prefer HD files (but not specifically Apple Digital Masters), please enquire.

Are you an official Apple Digital Masters studio?

Yes, we are!

Where are you based?

We are based in the South West of England but set up for the World. The studio has been specifically set up for this service.

Can I attend the session?

Sessions at WCM are strictly unattended. Sorry! One of the reasons I can keep the prices down is not having to pay Public Liability insurance.

Is all your software legal?

Absolutely! All of the software is fully paid for and registered, we are professionals and therefore use professional software. So called mastering engineers that set up budget studios using illegal software show a similar attitude to their work: poor quality.

Loudness?

The loudness debate stems from a poor understanding of music and dynamics. It was something that happened as a fad two decades ago and is finally starting to loose popularity. The cliché of loud masters for the sake of it will never fully disappear, now, so we endeavour to give you a master that is competitive with todays popular music (unless you state otherwise). We actively advise clients to retain some space in their music, if you ask for a mastering slammed into oblivion we may reject it. Don’t worry, though, we can get volume!

Can you mix music as well?

We do offer a basic mix service and even a basic Atmos service. Before switching to mastering our main engineer worked in a commercial recording studio and gained years of experience mixing tracks. Pro Tools is the weapon of choice (in most cases) and you can supply WAVs or AIFs to us. Also included in the mixing price is a free mastering! You will receive both final mix and mastered versions, please contact us to discuss.

Dolby Atmos?

Tentative steps have been taken into the Dolby Atoms world! Atmos mixes generally don’t get mastered in the same fashion, it’s more of a mix process. We have connections with a very good Atmos engineer for more specific enquiries!

Social Media?

Our Instagram @jasonmitchellmastering feed is below and on the front page of this site. We do like to share clients views and projects on our Facebook page as well but, frankly, not much time… If you want us to put something on our feed, let us know!

Who are you?

UK’s Jason Mitchell is the engineer. Jason has been mastering for well over 20 years and has a wealth of experience and expertise under his belt.

We like to talk, if you have any questions please fill out the contact form below.

Simon and Ben turned up for an album session the other day @loudmastering
The ATR102 was brought in for its vibe and air fryer was brought in for the flavour!

@simonpaulbarber @ben_scott_turner @axeandtrapstudios @jasonmitchellmastering @the_chesterfields #ampexatr102 #thermionicculture #manleylabs #atcloudspeakers #mastering
...

A week or so ago (memory issues…), saw Mossflower in the studio test cutting their new record! Great music, great company and there’s a video on their website of the process dshaw98.wixsite.com you should check out (or find their Facebook page)!
Look forward to seeing you guys again!

@danj_shaw @loudmastering @jasonmitchellmastering @jasdaface
#mastering #vinylmastering #neumannvms70 #vinylporn #technical #mossflower #terrarossaangleterre
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@loudmastering welcomed the fantastic @jonnydrops and @andrewashong to the studio last week! Great mastering session!

#mastering #loudmastering #manleylabs #thermionicculture #neumannvms70 #ampexatr102 #weissds1 #cranesong #waves #atcspeakers @jasonmitchellmastering @atc_loudspeakers
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Had an absolutely fantastic day @loudmastering with @ruthlyonmusic and @conrad__bird listening to the most sublime music! Enjoy your stay in the South West!

#ruthlyon #mastering #neumannvms70 #testcut #testcutting #mindblown @jasonmitchellmastering
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Digging out a random (read forgotten) metronome click in a mix, genuinely impressed with Spectral Layers! No idea what I was doing, should probably RTFManual but figured it out and Abracadabra, it was gone…

#steinberg #steinbergspectralayers #mastering #nowyouseeitnowyoudont #nowyouhearitnowyoudont @steinbergmedia
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Cutter heads need fresh cutter styli…

#micropoint #micropointstylus #neumannsx74 #neumannvms70 #mastering #vinylmastering #loudmastering #jasdaface #jasonmitchellmastering @loudmastering
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The incredible “I Inside The Old Year Dying” by @pjharveyofficial has received a Grammy nomination! Massive congratulations to Polly, to all involved and hugely proud to be part of the process that created this wonderful record!

@jasonmitchellmastering @loudmastering @_john.parish_ #iinsidetheoldyeardying #mastering #vinylmastering #grammys @recordingacademy #grammynominated
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Started looking at Pro Tools a couple of years ago, just to learn something new. In two years I’ve had a chance to fire it up twice, the second time being today… 🙄It’s going to be a slow learning curve. 😂

#avid #protools #mixing #daw @avid.protools @neumann.berlin
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Big thanks to @peakleveldevil for sending in a copy of “The Human Condition” to us! Looks and sounds great! Fantastic to see the finished product.

#vinyl #vinylmastering #thehumancondition @loudmastering @jasonmitchellmastering @jasdaface
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New vinyl day!
From the incredible @mattdeightonofficial comes the spectacular “Today Become Forever”. Looking forward to giving it a spin, later!

#vinyl #vinylmastering #todaybecomeforever #mastering #legend @jasonmitchellmastering @loudmastering @jasdaface
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Fantastic to meet @ignaceland in the studio, yesterday and master a cracking album!

#mastering #atr102 #goodmusic @loudmastering @jasonmitchellmastering
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The legend himself, Mr John Parish! Always a pleasure.

#legend #producer #mastering #masteringengineer #loudmastering #johnparish @_john.parish_ @loudmastering @jasonmitchellmastering @thrilljockey
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Today’s listening pleasure…

#needsnointroduction #needsnocaption #vinyl #vinylporn @davidbowie
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