FAQ

How do I book my mastering?

Get in touch through the contact page or email info@oxbowmastering.com.

Do you offer mixing?

No, we offer mastering only. We can put you in contact with trusted mixing engineers.

What are the turnaround times?

If you have a deadline, tell us when you book and we will say straight away whether we can meet it. Typically it takes about two days for a single and about a week for an album.

What is included in the price?

Everything you need:

• Detailed advice to improve the mix, if you ask for it.
• All revisions needed to reach the result you want.
• A DDP image for CD duplication, plus DDP player software to check it.
• Mastered WAV files, plus any other format you need.
• ISRC codes embedded in the masters, if you supply them.

How many revisions do I get?

There is no limit on revisions to the masters. We keep going until you are happy with the result.

Major changes to the mix itself, such as a new mix or remixed stems, are charged as extra work. If you are not sure whether a change counts, ask us before you send it.

Can I tell you how I want it to sound?

Yes, please tell us before we start. If you are unsure, send us tracks whose loudness and tonal balance you like.

Loudness is never forced. We can match the level of commercial releases in your genre, or work to the organic loudness potential of your mixes if you would rather avoid the compromises that heavy limiting brings.

Or leave it entirely to us. It can take a track somewhere you had not considered, and it can be revealing to hear how someone else hears the potential of your material.

How do I send my files?

You can email us a download link, or we can send you a secure upload link.

How should I prepare my mix?

Send WAV or AIFF files at the sample rate your session or track was made at. Please do not convert or resample them first.

Headroom is not a concern. A limiter on the mix bus is fine if it is part of the sound, but the mix can often be improved without it. If you are unsure, send both versions and we will tell you which works better.

The delivery specs have the full details.

What information do you need?

• Artist or band name: exactly as it should appear.
• Album or release title: standard capitalisation unless it is part of the official name.
• Track listing and song order: list every song in order. For vinyl and cassette, mark the A and B side split.
• Release formats: every format you are releasing on (CD, vinyl, cassette, digital and streaming, and so on).
• Editing requirements: notes on noise removal, count-ins and anything else to keep or remove.
• Release sequencing: transitions between tracks and your preferences for gaps and spacing.
• Release codes: ISRC and UPC/EAN codes, if you have them. They are required for digital distribution. Send them before mastering starts and they are embedded in every master format, including CD masters. They cannot be added once CD production begins.
• Album artwork: a .jpg or .png file, if you want cover art embedded in your MP3s.

You can send this as a text file with your audio, or in an email.

What happens after the mastering?

The mastered files are made available securely on our website for playback and approval. Playback is lossless and includes the transitions between tracks, gapless or otherwise. Once you approve, you can download the files after payment is complete.

How are payments processed?

By direct bank transfer or through Stripe. All details and options are on your invoice, and payment is due on completion.

What is your mastering process?

A combination of analogue and digital processing, whatever works best to serve the music.