FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Audio mastering is the final step in the music production process that involves preparing the final mix for distribution. It involves enhancing the overall sound quality of the mix, adjusting the levels, equalization, compression, and other processing to ensure that the final product sounds its best across various playback systems.

Common tools we use in audio mastering include digital and analog eqeualizers, compressors, limiters, stereo wideners, harmonic exciters, and dithering. Techniques used in mastering include adjusting the overall volume levels, balancing the frequency spectrum, managing dynamics, adding warmth, and creating a consistent sound across multiple tracks.

It's best to submit your audio files in the highest quality format possible, such as WAV or AIFF (such as 44.1khz 24bit) Avoid submitting MP3 files as they are compressed and can result in a loss of quality.

The time it takes to master a track can vary depending on the complexity of the project, the number of tracks involved, and the amount of processing required. Typically, a single track can take a few hours to master, while an album can take several days.

Mixing involves adjusting the individual tracks of a song and balancing their levels, panning, and effects to create a cohesive sound. Mastering, on the other hand, involves processing the final mix to create a polished and cohesive final product that is ready for distribution.

Before sending your audio files for mastering, ensure that they are properly mixed and edited. This includes ensuring that the levels are consistent, there are no pops or clicks, and any unwanted background noise has been removed. It's also important to leave enough headroom in the mix to allow for additional processing during mastering.

A good mastering engineer should provide a polished final product that meets your expectations and is ready for distribution. They should also be able to provide guidance on how to prepare your audio files for mastering, provide feedback on the mix, and make suggestions for improvements if necessary ahead of mastering.

The cost of audio mastering can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the experience of the mastering engineer. Typically, mastering can cost anywhere from €50 to several hundred euro per track or more for an album. Our mastering rates start at €60 per song for stereo mastering

DDP stands for Disc Description Protocol. A DDP file set/DDP Image, is a digital file we create in mastering that fully describes the content of your CD. This file set is what you will send to a CD Manufacturer, which they will use to replicate your CD. The DDP file set contains the audio files, sequence of songs, and all CD-text such as, artist name, album name, ISRC, UPC barcode etc. A DDP file set is an errorless format unlike a physical CD, and is the safest, easiest, and fastest method of delivering your album to your CD Manufacturer.

A DDP file set is recommended for all customers who intend on releasing their album on a Digital CD

No. Your audio remains as you intended.

It is very important that you approve your DDP file set before you send it to your CD manufacturer. In order to approve your DDP file set is correct, we provide you with a free DDP player application which is contained within your DDP file set. Open the DDP player to check all CD Text is all in order and correctly spelled, Preview the audio and audio spacing between tracks to make sure this is also correct. Once you are happy your DDP file set is correct, make sure to inform us first, then you can forward it to your CD Manufacturer.You should never send your DDP file set to a CD manufacturer before checking it first !

The ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is the international identification for sound recordings. Each ISRC code consists of 12 characthers seperated into 4 elements, Country Code, First Registrant Code, Year of Reference & Track designation code. Example ISRC: IE - AAA -20 - 00001 An ISRC code is unique to every record label or rights holder and provides the means to identify recordings for royalty payments.

We reccomend you use PPI Music go get your ISRC code, PPI Music are based Dublin, are the sole distributors of Irish ISRC codes in Ireland. You can apply for an ISRC code on their webpage. To find out more about ISRC codes, or to apply for an ISRC code from PPI music, go to thier ISRC webpage. If you use third party distribution platforms such as CD baby or tunecore for your music releases , you can get an ISRC from them too.

A UPC (Universal Product Code) or EAN (International Article Number) is a unique code used to identify a product, such as an album or single. A UPC barcode is the standard method of tracking digital and physical music sales.

Audio restoration is the process of improving the quality of an audio recording by removing noise, clicks, pops, crackles, hiss, hum, and other unwanted artifacts that may be present in the recording.

Almost any type of audio recording can be restored, including vinyl records, cassette tapes, reel-to-reel tapes, 8-track tapes, and digital recordings. However, the level of restoration that can be achieved may vary depending on the quality of the original recording.

Audio restoration tools include specialized software and hardware that can analyze and remove unwanted noise and artifacts from audio recordings. Techniques used in audio restoration include noise reduction, equalization, filtering, and frequency analysis.

The cost of audio restoration services varies depending on the complexity of the project and the amount of restoration required. Typically, prices range from a few euro per track to hundreds of euro for complex projects or albums. Restoration is priced at €8 per audio minute

The time it takes to restore an audio recording depends on the complexity of the project and the amount of restoration required. A simple restoration project may take a few hours, while a complex project or album may take several days or weeks to complete.

Audio restoration can remove a variety of artifacts, including clicks, pops, crackles, hiss, hum, noise, distortion, and other unwanted sounds that may be present in the recording.

While audio restoration can improve the quality of an audio recording, it may not be possible to completely eliminate all artifacts from the recording. However, the goal of restoration is to achieve a sound that is as close to the original as possible while improving its overall quality.

While audio restoration can improve the quality of a recording, it may not be able to completely fix a poorly recorded or low-quality recording. However, restoration can help to minimize unwanted noise and improve the overall sound of the recording.