Frequently Asked Questions
Technical specifications, operational policies, and pre-master requirements.
What makes boutique analog mastering different from digital plugins or automated AI systems?
Unlike high-volume digital mills or automated algorithms, we route your mixes through a pristine, hardware-based analog signal chain. Processing audio through physical components like our Manley Massive Passive EQ and Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor Class A adds natural harmonic warmth, depth, and three-dimensional spatial clarity that digital emulations simply cannot replicate. Your music is treated with the individual, meticulous attention it deserves.
What are your mastering rates and payment terms?
We operate on a transparent, uncompromised pricing model of USD 150 flat per stereo track. The payment workflow is structured in two parts:
- 50% Upfront Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of USD 75 to lock in your project's position in our dedicated weekly queue.
- 50% Final Balance: The remaining USD 75 is secured via our private, paywalled Samply portal. You can stream and verify your master completely; once you are satisfied and settle the final balance, the high-resolution download access is released automatically.
How do revisions and feedback work?
To protect our focused production queue and ensure uncompromised quality, exactly one comprehensive revision cycle is included in our base track rate. Once we deliver your initial master, you have a 24-hour review window to submit your consolidated notes. We ask that you listen on multiple playback systems and provide your feedback at once. Any subsequent revision cycles will close the asynchronous queue and are billed at our specialized rate of USD 150 per hour.
How should I prepare my unmastered mix for the analog chain?
To ensure a flawless physical loop and avoid digital distortion, please follow these technical preparation guidelines before submitting your file:
- Format: Export as a lossless 24-bit or 32-bit float WAV or AIFF file matching your session's native sample rate.
- Headroom: Ensure your master bus peaks between -3dBFS and -6dBFS at its loudest point. Please do not simply pull down your master fader to achieve this; verify that individual channels are not clipping.
- Bypass Master Processing: Completely disable any brickwall limiters, master compressors, or EQ curves applied to your master fader. If you are mixing with a compressor active for aesthetic vibe, supply a version with it active and an identical version with it fully bypassed.
What is a "Zero-Gravity Workstation" and how does it benefit my project?
To deliver world-class translation, an engineering suite must eliminate physical and sensory fatigue. We operate our mastering chain from a customized ErgoQuest zero-gravity workstation, which suspends the body and decompresses the lumbar spine during long listening sessions. By strictly capping our weekly volume and maintaining peak physical comfort, our ears and mind remain fresh, alert, and hyper-focused. This clinical ergonomic setup ensures that your tracks receive absolute, zero-failure quality control.

