We offer basic digital mastering for bands and artists on a tight budget. We repair any clicks then, using a range of software tools, we balance the EQ, punch, overall levels and the stereo width of your tracks. Often bands have old demos that have never been mastered - we can improve them for future enjoyment.
MASTERING SERVICES COMPARISON
| Online AI | Studio 109 | High-end | |
| Instant results |  |
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| High-end Analogue processing | |
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| Checks for errors such as clicks | |
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| Can surgically improve less than ideal mixes | |
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| Noise reduction | |
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| Ongoing fees | |
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| Human judgement | |
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| Balance between tracks | |
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| Unlimited re-works | |
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| Mastering for Vinyl | |
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QUALITY COMPARISON
Online AI Mastering can work very well provided the mix is nailed. The tools are not designed to work with less than ideal mixes. For example, click and noise removal is still a subjective human process, along with balancing the EQ and loudness between more than one song. AI works on only one track at a time which can make balancing the levels between tracks challenging.
High-end Mastering can be amazing but few engineers will work on flawed mixes to protect their much-deserved reputation! Their very expensive analogue gear can impart 'sonic magic' on your audio but, again, you need very good mixes to get the best from the considerable investment.
STUDIO109 Mastering is pragmatic and aimed at sitting between the two options above. We use similar tools to AI but inject human judgement, plus we can repair mixes and balance the tone and levels between different mixes. We are happy to work with flawed mixes - we are not judgemental - we simply want to do the best we can with your music.
PRICE COMPARISON
Online AI Mastering costs can add up if you are not releasing a lot of tracks. Typically the annual fees are NZ$250, but you can master many times over without extra fees.
High-end Mastering ranges from NZ$70 to NZ$300+ per track. The prices are justified though - they have very expensive analogue gear, digital to analogue converters and monitoring, along with highly experienced ears!
STUDIO109 Mastering
| 1 track | $40.00 |
| 2-4 tracks | $35.00 per track |
| 5-6 tracks | $30.00 per track |
| 7 tracks + | $25 per track |
TECHNICAL
- We prefer 24bit & 16bit WAV and AIFF files for Mastering. Mp3s are not suitable but if they are all you have we can consider them.
- Masters are supplied back to you as 24bit 44.1kHz WAV files, 16Bit 44.1kHz WAV files and 320kbps MP3s.
- If you have any reference tracks please advise us.
- For best results please do not apply any master bus limiting, compression or noise reduction to your mixes before sending.