Frequently Asked Questions
Clear, defensible answers regarding technical pre-master file intake, regulatory compliance targets, commercial terms, and studio quality control.
1. What are the technical prerequisites for pre-master file submission?
Submissions must be delivered as uncompressed 24-bit or 32-bit float WAV or AIFF files (up to 192 kHz sample rate). All submissions require a mandatory pre-master headroom attestation of a -3 dBFS to -6 dBFS peak ceiling. Master bus limiters, clippers, and aggressive main-fader processing must be bypassed prior to export.
2. What is your commercial pricing and revision policy?
Commercial audio mastering is provided at a flat rate of 150.00 USD per stereo track, with a standard turnaround of 10 to 14 business days.
Every order includes exactly 1 comprehensive revision cycle submitted within 24 hours of initial delivery. Post-approval modifications, mix-file resubmissions, or additional revision requests are billed at 150.00 USD per hour.
3. How do file onboarding, payment, and final delivery work?
Projects begin via our secure HoneyBook technical intake form on the homepage. An initial 50% non-refundable deposit (75.00 USD) is required upon contract execution via Visa, Mastercard, or ACH.
Master evaluation files are delivered asynchronously via secure, paywalled Samply links. High-resolution streaming evaluation is available immediately, and uncompressed 24-bit/32-bit WAV master downloads automatically unlock once the final 50% balance (75.00 USD) is cleared.
4. What software and monitoring setup powers your digital mastering suite?
We operate a 100% digital native mastering workstation centered on natively licensed iZotope RX 12 Standard for forensic dialogue restoration and spectral repair, and DSP-Quattro 6 for assembly, sample-rate conversion, dithering, and DDP exports. Signal conversion is handled by a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 interface, monitored via PreSonus Eris 5 studio monitors and a PreSonus Temblor T8 active subwoofer within a Primacoustic London 12 treated space.
5. How do you satisfy broadcast compliance and accessibility mandates?
Broadcast Loudness: Masters are normalized to federal ATSC A/85 (US) and EBU R128 standards at a rock-solid -24 LUFS integrated with a maximum peak ceiling hard-limited to -2 dBTP to prevent inter-sample clipping.
Section 508 Accessibility: Combining dialogue restoration with serverless Google Cloud Speech-to-Text pipelines, we generate WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliant WebVTT and .srt subtitle sidecars alongside audio deliverables.
6. What is the 15-Hour Weekly Physical and Operational Pacing Boundary?
Auditory fatigue is the leading cause of digital mastering defects. To guarantee absolute zero-failure execution and a Faithful Representation of raw audio, our operations are governed by a 15-Hour Weekly Physical and Operational Pacing Boundary — an ISO 9001 / MIL-Q-9858A metrological quality control standard. Operating asynchronously with capped throughput ensures every project receives uncompromised cognitive focus.
7. What corporate credentials and government identifiers does Iron Pen Studios hold?
Identifiers: CAGE Code: 219W4 | UEI: FYA3ZBT3BX35 | Primary NAICS: 512240, 512290
Certifications: 100% P&T SDVOSB | Florida Certified Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) | Florida Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
Workforce & Portals: E-Verify® Registered | Active in SAM.gov, MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP), and City of Ocala ProRFx.