What Is Mastering ?
Audio Mastering is the final part of the music process where your songs are given their final gloss. The mastering engineer will give your audio extra clarity and volume as well as bringing multiple songs together for consistency across your CD and when played on different systems. Mastering is essential in getting optimum impact for your recordings.

The process includes:

• Equalisation & Compression
• Stereo Width Adjustment
• Noise Reduction
• Phase & Balance Correction
• Peak Limiting
• Track Sequencing & PQ
• Fades & Crossfades
• Insertion of ISRC Codes

How Do I Prepare My Audio For Mastering?

• Do not limit your mix. If you have a sound that you wish to achieve as a result of the limiting then send or bring a reference track.
• Do not normalize your mix.
• Your audio should peak at a level no higher than -3db or lower than -6db.

File Types, Bit Depth & Sample Rates
Your audio must be provided according to the setting committed in your recording session. i.e. If you have recorded at 24 bit / 48khz you should provide files at this precise setting.

However we recommend the following settings in future:
File Type: WAV / AIF Bit Rate: 24 Bit Sample Rate: 96khz*

How Long Does Mastering Take?

For tradiional mastering from a stereo audio file or format we recommend allowing an average of 40 mins for each track to be mastered with an additional 20-30 minutes to insert ISRC codes, sequence your tracks and prepare your master discs.

What is an ISRC Code?
The Internationally Recognised Royalty Code. A 10 digit code to identify your specific recording and country of origin on playback. It is important for ensuring royallties from radio play. We recommend all clients use ISRC.

How do I get an ISRC Code?
It is free to get ISRC codes from the PPL and can be arranged very quickly and easily. Click here to visit the PPL to get your codes.

Audio CDRs VS DDP Images as your master.
Audio CDRs are prone to very high error counts which you risk being replicated on your CD run. We encourage the exclusive use of DDP images as your master for CD Replication.

A DDP image can be easily transferred online and by using standard media but with a much reduced risk of errors compared to traditional real-time audio formats.

All CDs mastered by Blue Pro Mastering and subsequently replicated by Blue Pro Media will use the DDP Image from your mastering session, directly transferred online to the pressing plant, ruling out using unreliable disc formats altogether.