Stereo Mastering for Independent Artists
The final sonic polish that transforms a great mix into a commercial release. We provide precision stereo mastering to ensure your music translates perfectly across all listening environments, from club systems to smartphone speakers.
Book Your Master
Stereo mastering is the critical final stage of music production. It is not merely about increasing volume; it is about balance, depth, and cohesive energy. At Bambochezone, we approach every track with a fresh set of ears and a commitment to preserving the emotional intent of your arrangement while meeting the technical standards of the modern music industry.
Working from our dedicated control room in Perth, we combine high-end monitoring with precise signal processing to correct spectral imbalances and enhance the stereo image. Whether you are an electronic producer seeking maximum impact or a singer-songwriter requiring subtle warmth, our mastering process ensures your audio is competitive, polished, and ready for global distribution.
Our Mastering Workflow
Analysis & Preparation
We begin by analysing the frequency spectrum and dynamic range of your mix. This stage involves identifying potential problem areas and ensuring the file meets our technical requirements for headroom and sample rate.
Corrective Processing
Using surgical EQ and dynamic control, we remove unwanted resonances and tighten the low end. This ensures the track feels balanced and stable before we move into the creative enhancement phase.
Tonal Shaping & Depth
We apply character EQ and compression to add warmth, air, and punch. This stage focuses on the "feel" of the track, ensuring the stereo width is optimised and the transients are preserved.
Final Limiting & Delivery
The track is brought up to commercial loudness levels using transparent limiting. We then generate the final high-resolution files and a detailed loudness report for your records.
Who is Stereo Mastering For?
Our stereo mastering service is designed for independent artists, bedroom producers, and small labels who have a completed stereo mix but lack the specialised monitoring environment required for final polishing. It is ideal for those who find their mixes sound "small" or inconsistent when played on different systems. By stepping away from the mixing process, we provide the objective perspective needed to make the final 5% of improvements that define a professional record.
This service is specifically tailored for projects where the mix is already balanced and the artist is looking for a final "glue" to bind the elements together. If your project requires significant changes to individual instrument levels, we recommend our Professional Mixing service first.
How the Online Process Works
Despite being based in Perth, our workflow is fully optimised for remote collaboration. Once you book a session, you upload your final stereo mix to our secure server. We work on the track in our treated control room, ensuring the translation is accurate. You will receive a mastered version for review via a high-quality stream. If adjustments are needed, we implement them based on your feedback during the included revision rounds.
The communication is handled primarily via email to ensure a clear paper trail of all technical requests. This structured approach allows us to maintain a high volume of quality while giving each track the focus it deserves.
What You Need to Prepare
To achieve professional results, the quality of the incoming file is paramount. We require your mix to be exported as a stereo WAV file. Please adhere to the following technical specifications to avoid processing artefacts:
- Sample Rate: 44.1kHz or higher.
- Bit Depth: 24-bit (minimum).
- Headroom: Please ensure your peak levels do not exceed -6dB. Do not apply any limiting or clipping to the master bus of your mix.
- Format: Uncompressed WAV or AIFF. No MP3s for the mastering process.
For more detailed instructions, please visit our guide on Mixing and Mastering Costs and preparation.
Deliverables: What You Receive
Upon completion and final approval, you will receive a comprehensive delivery package designed for immediate distribution. This includes:
- A high-resolution WAV file (24-bit) for archival and distribution.
- A high-quality MP3 version for quick sharing and review.
- A technical report specifying the Integrated LUFS (loudness) and True Peak levels.
- Clear instructions on how to upload these files to your chosen distributor.
Turnaround and Deadlines
Our average turnaround time is 5 business days. This allows us to let the track "rest" between processing stages, ensuring the final decisions are made with fresh ears. If your project is urgent, we offer a rush fee of 30% extra, which prioritises your track in our queue. Please note that our monthly capacity is limited to 15 tracks to maintain our quality standards.
What is NOT Included
It is important to distinguish stereo mastering from mixing. The following services are not part of the Stereo Mastering package:
- Adjusting the volume of individual instruments (e.g., "making the vocals louder").
- Adding new effects or instruments to the arrangement.
- Vocal tuning or timing correction.
- Creating separate stems for remixes.
If you require these services, please explore our full service list or contact us for a custom quote.
Pricing and GST
Our pricing is transparent and inclusive of the Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) where applicable. For B2B clients, we offer payment terms of 14 days. For individual artists, a 50% deposit is required to secure your slot in the production queue.
| Service Level | Price (inc GST) | Price (ex GST) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Track Mastering | A$120 | A$109.09 | per track |
| EP Mastering (up to 5 tracks) | A$500 | A$454.55 | per EP |
All prices are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
Stereo Mastering FAQ
How many revisions are included in the price?
Every mastering project includes 3 rounds of revisions. We believe this is more than enough to fine-tune the final result, provided the feedback is specific and constructive.
What happens if I need more than 3 revisions?
Additional revisions can be requested and will be billed at our hourly rate for editing and processing. We will always notify you before proceeding with a paid revision.
Can you master my track for vinyl specifically?
Yes, though we recommend our Platform Mastering package for specific vinyl requirements. For standard stereo mastering, we ensure the low end is controlled enough for most vinyl cutting lathes.
Do I keep all the rights to my mastered track?
Absolutely. Bambochezone provides a technical service. We do not claim any ownership or royalties over the music we master. You retain 100% of your intellectual property.