Mastering
Mastering is the last technical step before your track goes online: we set level, tone and dynamics so it translates on phones, speakers and headphones without undoing your mix.
At Gregorxyra in Amsterdam we master singles, EPs and albums that already have a solid mix but need a final layer for distribution. Work happens in a treated 20 m² control room on neutral monitors, aimed at streaming and download — not at the loudest possible file.
You do not have to be in the room: most projects run via upload and email. Prefer to listen in while we tweak the last details? Book a slot at Bilderdijkstraat 78. Mix not finished yet? See Mixing or contact; we usually reply within 2 business days.
How it works
- 01
Brief
Send stereo mixes, genre, references and your target date. We confirm pricing and whether EP or album rates apply.
- 02
Technical check
We review headroom, clipping, silence at start and end, and whether the file is suitable to master.
- 03
Mastering pass
EQ, dynamics and loudness are set for your music and the platforms you plan to use.
- 04
Delivery
You receive masters to download, with room for feedback within the agreed revision rounds.
Who this service is for
Artists and producers who mix themselves or with an external engineer but want a second pair of ears before release. Labels and managers who want consistent loudness and tone across several tracks. Bands that recorded via live and band recording and still need a cohesive end image.
Mastering does not fix a weak mix: if balances or frequency issues are fundamental, we point you back to mix work or to mixing with us. That keeps the €68 per-track rate fair for everyone.
What to send
One interleaved stereo file per title, preferably WAV 24-bit at 44.1 or 48 kHz. Leave space between the loudest peak and 0 dBFS; a heavy limiter on the mix bus makes the next step harder. Avoid MP3 as your only source unless that is truly all you have.
Name files clearly, for example Artist_Title_Mix_v2.wav. In your email include tempo, key, ISRC if you already have one, and links to reference tracks in a similar style. More detail is in mastering file formats.
Loudness and platforms
Spotify, Apple Music and other services normalise playback. We master with that chain in mind: clear, with safe headroom and dynamics that fit the genre. Extreme brickwall limiting before mastering leaves little room for musical adjustments.
Vinyl, cassette or other physical formats may need a separate master; mention that when you request a quote. We do not promise identical meters to a commercial reference, but we do align on direction and expectations.
EPs and albums: one line through the release
On multi-track projects we match loudness and tone across songs so listeners are not riding the volume knob. The EP rate €295 covers up to five tracks; the album rate €520 covers up to twelve.
Standalone singles are €68. Tracks above the package limit are quoted per song or by agreement. Ask for a written price if your tracklist is still changing.
Rates and VAT
All listed amounts are consumer prices including 21% VAT. Business invoicing is available through Gregorxyra B.V.; B2B payment terms are 14 days unless terms and conditions say otherwise.
| Option | Price incl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Per mastered track | €68 |
| EP up to five tracks | €295 |
| Album up to twelve tracks | €520 |
A 30% deposit may apply on larger projects or combined mix-and-master work; we state that in the quote.
Turnaround and revisions
Standard mastering without rush: expect a few business days after approved files and payment, depending on the queue. Rush is sometimes possible for an extra fee; ask explicitly.
You receive 2 revision rounds within the agreed scope — for example a touch more or less bass, or a slightly calmer chorus. Major structural changes or a new mix export sit outside those rounds and are quoted separately.
What you receive
Typically we deliver:
- 24-bit WAV for distribution (44.1 kHz unless agreed otherwise)
- A short note on peak and integrated loudness of the master
- Optional AAC or MP3 preview on request — not a substitute for WAV uploads
DDP for CD manufacturing is available on request for an additional fee. Files stay available for download for 24 months; after that we remove them from active storage. Keep your own backup.
What is not included
Mastering does not include mixing, vocal restoration, tuning, or filling in distributor forms for Spotify or other aggregators. Metadata and credits remain your responsibility before upload.
Repairing damaged or very low-bitrate sources, multiple platform-specific versions (for example separate instrumental masters), and attended sessions beyond standard hourly rates are quoted separately. Sample clearance is outside mastering; for podcast music see podcast music rights.
In the studio or remote
Most clients send files and receive masters back. Attended mastering in the control room is available by appointment: you hear changes on our monitors and decide on subtle moves together. The studio is on Bilderdijkstraat in Oud-West, about a ten-minute walk from Leidseplein. Trams 1 and 7 serve the Bilderdijkstraat stop, roughly three minutes on foot from there. The entrance is at street level, which makes bringing cases or instruments straightforward.
We are open Mon–Fri 10–22 · Sat 11–18; book via contact or 020 261 4873. Studio attendance may be invoiced separately when it falls outside the standard mastering fee — we put that in writing upfront.
Included
- Technical review of your mix export before mastering
- Mastering on neutral monitors in our control room
- Loudness targets suited to streaming and download
- 24-bit WAV for distribution
- Short measurement note on delivery
- 2 revision rounds within scope
- Download link with 24 months retention
FAQ
Should my mix already have a bus limiter?
Not necessarily. Light bus compression can help, but a heavy limiter pinned to 0 dBFS makes mastering harder. If unsure, export a version without a master-bus limiter and label both files in your email.
How fast will I get the masters back?
After approved files and agreed payment, we usually need a few business days. Busy periods or large EPs get a realistic date. Ask about rush via contact.
Can I master one song now and switch to an EP price later?
Single tracks are €68. When you finish more songs we discuss whether remastering or only new titles are needed; full EP packages apply to the tracklist agreed in one project.
Do you master instrumental or electronic music?
Yes, when the mix is technically healthy. Very loud electronic mixes sometimes get a headroom note first; we do not want to add clipping on top.
Where can I read more about file formats?
See our mastering file formats guide and the services overview. For general studio questions: FAQ.
Other services
Voice and voice-over recording
Voice-over, narration and vocals in an isolated booth with guidance on tone and levels.
€88 · per hour
Mixing
Balance, space and dynamics per track, including two revision rounds and tuned references.
€225 · per mixed track
Podcast recording
Recording for one to four voices, with basic editing and export in your preferred format.
€82 · per recording hour
Live and band recording
Playing together in the live room or track by track, for duos up to five musicians.
€98 · per hour
Recording in Amsterdam?
Plan your next session
Tell us what you want to capture: we reply within 2 working days with a slot and a written quote.