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LIBRARY MUSIC MASTERING FAQ
Library music mastering is designed for the mastering of library music intended for film, TV, games and other visual media outlets. This service has been specifically created for publishers and music production library companies that intend on sending large volumes of songs to be mastered. By sending large volumes of music at once to be mastered we are able to offer a much more affordable rate, taking into account the needs of our clients and their often tight deadlines.
Having worked with thousands of library tracks over the years that have gone on to feature in some of the world biggest movies and TV shows, we understand exactly what our clients require. Our library music mastering service has been created with this in mind, a fast turnaround, mastered stems and the option to have alternate versions of the same song mastered.
What Studio Is Library Music Mastered In?
All library music is mastered in Studio A by Nick Burchall. Nick has had the pleasure of mastering music featured in some of Hollywoods biggest films and trailers. Including Frozen 2, Avengers End Game, Avatar, Star Wars and The Fast & The Furious franchise. There’s not a genre of music Nick hasn’t worked with for library music.
What Is The Turnaround?
All orders will be turned around within the time frame selected when placing your order. Turnaround time is based on days the selected engineer works between Monday to Friday. We understand there are often tight deadlines with library music, if you have a specific day you need your master back for, please let us know when placing your order.
- 1 Working Day (returned next working day)
- 2-5 Working Days (returned within 2-5 working days)
- 5-7 Working Days (returned within 5-7 working days)
What Is Library Music Mastering?
Library music, also known as production music or stock music, refers to music that is composed and recorded with the purpose of licensing it for use in various media projects such as films, TV shows, commercials, and other forms of visual content. Composers create library music to be versatile and easily adaptable to different scenes or moods. It is often used as background music to enhance the atmosphere of a particular scene without distracting from the main content.
What Is Mastering?
Stem mastering is the process of summing up to 25 stems together and mastering the summed stems across the master bus. The benefit of working in this way is that the engineer has control over each individual stem that is summing to the master bus. Resulting in being able to process and balance each individual stem correctly to get the very best from the song.
What Are The Benefits Of Library Music Mastering?
The main benefit of library music mastering is not just the exceptional quality mastering provided for your song but also understanding the clients needs are different from a standard stereo mastering service. Understanding how to print alternate mixes and that mastered stems need to line up correctly with the main mix. By sending large volumes of mixes to be mastered in bulk we are able to offer an exceptional rate due to the administraion involved being far less time consuming.
What Is The Difference Between Library Music Mastering And Mastering?
The main difference is price. Both library music mastering and our standard mastering service are mastered in the same studio, by the same engineer and using the same analogue mastering equipment. The reason we are able to offer such an exceptional rate on library music mastering is due to the volume of music that is being sent for mastering. The administration involved in downloading, setting up and sending back 30 songs all at once, compared to the administration of 30 individual songs, is far less time consuming. The time we save is the main contributor to why we are able to offer such an affordable rate on library music mastering.
What Is An Additional Master?
By adding + Additional Stereo Master to your order, you will receive back all additional mixes mastered through the same mastering chain as the original mix.
- 30 second mix
- 1 minute mix
- 1 minute 30 second mix
- Solo strings
- Solo drums
- Instrumental
- Acapella
What Is Stereo Mastered Stems?
By adding + Stereo Mastered Stems to your order, you will receive back all stems provided mastered through the exact same mastering chain as the stereo mix. Mastered stems can be used for film and TV licensing as well as remix purposes and further production.
When Do I Pay For Mastering?
Orders / payment must be made before work on your song begins. This ensures our engineers, take the necessary time and care required to return you the very best master.
How Many Revisions Can I Make?
Library music mastering includes 1 revisions. Mastering revisions give you the peace of mind that the end result is going to be exactly as you want it. If you exceed your 1 allocated revision, you can always purchase more via our revisions and re-runs page.
If you need to change the mix in any way after mastering there is a master re-run fee of £10. This small charge covers the engineers time to recall the mastering chain and re-record the updated master.
Should I Leave My Mastering Plugins Active?
It is advised to remove all plugins from your master bus that effect dynamic range. This includes plugins such as compression or limiting. It is best to remove all plugins but we understand that some clients want to leave EQ or saturation active as it is part of their sound. The reason we suggest removing master bus processing is so that we have a mix that has full dynamic range and we are able to compress and limit at the correct stage of the mastering chain.
What If I Have Accidentally Sent The Wrong Mix For Mastering?
If work has not yet begun on your song, you can simply get in touch with us and replace the file.
If work has already begun on your song and you need to replace the mix for a new one. Two outcomes will occur.
If the mix is technically the same song and same mix but there is a change resulting in the song needing to be re-run. There is a small charge of £10 for a master re-run to cover the time the engineer must take to re-run your song.
If the mix is completely different or a different song altogether, a new order for mastering will need to be placed. The reason for this is because mastering will need to be started from scratch and the previous master scrapped.
Before sending your song always make sure that the mix is correct and the file you are sending is the mix you intend to be mastered.
Why Should I Get My Music Professionally Mastered?
Mastering is one of the most important parts of the engineering process of a song. Mastering can make or break a song. Too many artists fall at the final hurdle with poor quality mastering using either digital plugins or guesswork using AI mastering. A professional mastering engineer will ensure your music plays back correctly across all devices. Nothing comes close to a skilled engineer in a 100% accurate room using high quality analogue mastering equipment.
How Do I Send My Files?
Your mixes can be uploaded safely and securely via our upload form in your account here. Bypass any compression / limiting you may have on your master bus before printing your mix ready for mastering.
- File Type: Wav
- Bitrate: 16/24/32bit
- Sample Rate: 44,1kHz – 96kHz
- Headroom: -3db / -6db
My Mix Is Limited Or Clipping Can You Still Work With This?
It is not ideal but yes we can work with a limited or clipped mix. The approach to mastering a limited mix is similar but requires a very precise approach in order to ensure the song is not over compressed or distorted.
What Will I Receive Back?
Stereo masters are returned in the following formats, if you require any others, please let us know:
- 96kHz 24bit wav
- 48kHz 24bit wav
- 44.kHz 24bit wav
- 44.1kHz 16bit wav
Can I Credit Audio Animals For The Mastering?
Yes, if you would like to credit Audio Animals for the mastering of your music you can do so. Please credit Audio Animals Ltd and either Paul Ashmore or Nick Burchall as the mastering engineer. This is not required but is greatly appreciated.