Mastering

Mastering is the last step: level, tonal balance and sequencing so your mix translates on earbuds, car systems and club PA. We work offline from your stereo mix in a quiet room in Amsterdam.

Mastering at Mushyvanta is for artists, labels and producers with a finished mix who want a neutral second set of ears before release. Mix and mastering engineer Sophie de Vries leads many sessions; attended listening is available by appointment, separate from the busy 42 m² live room.

We deliver for streaming, download, vinyl pressing and occasional broadcast specs. No surprise loudness wars: we agree target LUFS, true peak and whether your plant is already chosen.

Process

Upload
Send stereo mix(es) plus short notes (genre, references, trouble spots). We confirm format and whether track or EP pricing applies.
Check
We inspect headroom, phase, clicks and silence at edges. Issues are flagged before processing so you can fix the mix if needed.
Master
EQ, dynamics, stereo width and limiting move in small steps. You get a preview (MP3 or streaming link) for feedback within the agreed revision rounds.
Delivery
Final files per platform (WAV, optional DDP for vinyl). EP sequence and fades come from your brief; see master delivery formats.

When mastering helps

Mastering pays off when arrangement and balance are set but loudness or consistency across songs still varies. If you need to rebuild stems, start with mixing instead.

We do not invent dramatic before/after stories; we compare against your references and our monitor calibration. Label demos and self-releases get the same technical care.

Room and workflow

The chain blends analog outboard where it helps with precise digital tools. Monitors sit in a compact treated space inside our 3-room building in Amsterdam-West, away from band tracking noise.

Attended slots are limited within Tuesday–Saturday 10:00–22:00; closed Monday and Sunday. Evening sessions by appointment.; unattended suits remote artists outside Amsterdam. Scheduling: contact.

Delivery specs

Preferred: stereo WAV 24-bit, 44.1 or 48 kHz, 3–6 dB headroom, no mix-bus limiter. Avoid MP3 sources unless that is all you have — then we align expectations.

Vinyl sometimes needs longer mixes; we follow your plant or DDPI sheet. Read our formats guide for DDP, metadata and naming. Label multiple versions clearly.

EPs and sequencing

€249 covers up to six tracks treated as one loudness/gap project. Larger albums quote separately.

You supply order and desired gaps (or crossfades). We deliver per-track masters plus a concatenated preview on request. Revisions: 2 rounds within reasonable scope; fundamental mix changes are outside mastering revision.

Rates incl. VAT

Rates include 21% VAT for consumers. Business invoices may show net (e.g. €73.55 per track).

Mastering pricing
Package	Price incl. VAT	Scope
Per track (digital)	€89	One title, streaming-ready master
EP up to 6 tracks	€249	Cohesive set, single project

Mastering is not bundled with mixing — each has its own scope. Custom quotes via contact; 30% deposit on larger jobs per terms and conditions.

Turnaround and revisions

Typical timeline: 3–5 business days per track after complete delivery; EPs run in parallel when possible. Rush may be available for a fee if the calendar allows — no fixed guarantee.

Bundle revision notes per round. After 2 rounds, extra passes may be hourly. We store masters for 12 months.

Out of scope

No vocal repair, arrangement, Spotify distribution or ISRC registration on your behalf. We do not master material you cannot license (see rights on audio for speech).

Heavy restoration of old tapes can be quoted separately from standard mastering.

After delivery

Upload to your aggregator or send to the pressing plant. Radio edits or instrumentals afterward are derivative exports — small fee unless the mix changed.

If you later cut a vinyl side differently from digital, tell us before pressing so we can supply an alternate master without re-opening the whole mix. Keep your project notes and ISRC list with the files you upload — we do not invent metadata for you.

More: services, guides, FAQ. Phone 020 244 8916 or [email protected].

Included

Technical check of uploads (headroom, clips, length)
Master pass with EQ, dynamics and medium-appropriate limiting
Streaming-ready WAV (44.1/48 kHz) per track
2 revision rounds within agreed scope
Short loudness/true-peak notes on delivery
Secure download; storage for 12 months
EP projects: consistent loudness across up to six tracks

FAQ

Should my mix already be mastered?

No — send an unmastered mix with headroom. A slammed mix-bus makes the job harder. Unsure? Send a snippet via contact.

Do I get stems back?

Mastering delivers stereo (or DDP for vinyl). Stems belong to mixing, not €89.

How loud will it be?

We align to your medium; streaming services normalize anyway. Target LUFS is agreed in the brief — pushing beyond sensible peak is not our default.

Can I attend?

Attended mastering is available by appointment within Tue–Sat 10–22. Unattended saves engineer time and suits remote clients.

What if I change the mix after mastering?

A new mix usually means a new master at €89 (or EP rate). Small export tweaks within revision rounds are different — be specific when you ask.

Do you master tracks recorded elsewhere?

Yes. Uploads from home studios or other rooms in Amsterdam are welcome if the mix is finished. We do not need you to have tracked at Mushyvanta, though vocal recording and mixing here can simplify handoffs.