Mastering Rates for Independent Artists

All self-financed independent artists are eligible for our indie mastering rates as listed below.  Discounted rates are available for solo artists as indicated.  We are also a 3PBSFM and 3RRRFM subscriber discounter offering 10% discount on band rates and 5% discount on solo artist rates.

Please see below for our rates and package deals, plus related information.

*50% deposit is required to begin the process, with remainder due upon completion and before delivery of your final masters.  For special budget requirements please get in touch.

Master formats: See here for details on master formats supplied and optional.

Mix delivery: See here for mix-delivery tips around preparing your mixes for mastering.

If your pricing requirements are not addressed here please enquire for an accurate quote specific to your needs.

 
​Our mastering rates for independent, self-financing artists are as follows.  

Prices are indicated below as solo artist rate/band rate:

Mastering for digital release (solo artists/bands)*:

Single : $150/150

Single and b-side : $270/285
​EP : 4 songs - $430/480
EP : 5 songs - $490/550
Album : 10 songs - $790/890
Album : 12 songs - $890/990
Multiple formats supplied and adapted for digital distribution incl Spotify and iTunes masters
More details on what is supplied after mastering are further below and on our formats page linked above

Mastering for vinyl and digital release (solo artists/bands)*:

7” Single (4-5mins/side) : 2 songs - $390/420
EP (7"-12”) : 4 songs - $550/600
12” LP (16-23mins/side) : 10 songs - $940/1040

Mastering for CD and digital release (solo artists/bands)*:

EP : 4 songs - $490/540
EP : 5 songs - $550/610
Album : 10 songs - $850/950
Album : 12 songs - $950/1050
Multiple formats supplied and adapted for digital distribution incl Spotify and iTunes masters
Plus your virtual "DDPi" CD master linked online
Optional: "CD-gold" physical master including postage ($120)

The full treatment - CD, vinyl and digital release (solo artists/bands)*:
EP : 4 songs - $590/650
Album : 10 songs - $980/1080

*Notes on package deals above:

• Package deals may not include lengthy edits, glitch removal, stems mixing, long songs or extra songs
• Package rates are applicable considering there is general production continuity across the record
• Rates do not include presenting a new mix of a mastered track after mastering

Presenting a new mix of a mastered track after mastering:

New mixes are charged at 50% original cost of mastering if presented after your tracks have already been mastered.

Editing and restoration of glitches and technical errors:

$100 per hour on request

Priority fee:
If an urgent job is required during a busy period.
Price quoted on request.

Release codes service:
ISRC : $6 per track
UPC : $12 per record

High res 24-bit masters:
Now included for all mastering

Physical Media costs:
CD-Gold master : $120 (includes postage)
Reference CD : $70 (includes postage)

Stems mastering:

Stems mastering will greatly help with some projects as it allows greater access to elements of your final mix.  This approach is sometimes suggested by your mastering engineer if appropriate for you.  Please see our mix delivery page for a simple explanation regarding mastering from stems.  Additional costs quoted according to the project - please get in contact. 

Remastering:

Quoted per record.  Please get in touch to have those old releases get a new lease on life!  Mastering has come a long way in 20 years!

Services included in our rates:

- pre-mastering mix evaluation, where requested 

- reference master files for your evaluation 

- after mastering revisions as required 

- final master formatted files delivered online

Master formats supplied standard every time:
All digital masters you require for
- web-stores and streaming services
- Aggregators (including masters adapted specifically for iTunes and Spotify etc)
- Bandcamp, Soundcloud etc
- radio submissions
- supporting video release

Extra optional formats:
- CD master/s (Physical CD gold-master and virtual DDP master)
- Vinyl master file set (24bit)
- High-res digital masters (24bit)

- Metadata/CD-Text, MCN/EAN and ISRC encoding of wav files (please supply all details prior to mastering)

Mastering by the hour:

First 6 Hours : $150 per hour
After 6 hours* : $120* per hour
Compiling/editing work : $100 per hour
*Same project/release

Real-time media transfers (Cassette, DAT, ADAT, or Vinyl to CD/digital for example)

• $5.00 per linear minute of audio (up to 60 minutes)
• $3.00 per linear minute of audio after that
• Includes audio restoration and formatting
• Min $120

Payment options
Direct Credit (internet banking) or PayPal/credit card via Paypal (fees apply)

Please understand that it is our policy that no final masters are produced prior to full payment of your account.