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Mastering and delivery

Final loudness, sequencing, and export formats for streaming, download, and vinyl — checked on more than one speaker system, not just a favourite monitor.

Mastering engineer listens between large speakers in room.

Mastering at Olivevanta is the last impartial listen before your music reaches platforms or a pressing plant. We work from your approved mix: no new arrangements, but album-wide balance, consistent loudness, and files distributors accept.

Ruben Meijer and Femke Jansen schedule mastering depending on availability. You supply stereo mixes; for dense electronic or scored material we may suggest a separate stem master. Platform context lives in our streaming loudness guide.

How it works

  1. Upload

    Send 24-bit WAV mixes without a brickwall limiter on the stereo bus, plus notes on target loudness and references. We confirm within 2 business days with per-track or EP pricing.

  2. Analysis

    We measure peaks, dynamics, and spectral balance, compare tracks on EPs or albums, and note where translation breaks between speaker types.

  3. Master

    EQ, dynamics, and limiting with conservative moves; checks on headphones, nearfields, and full-range speakers. Up to 2 revision rounds after your notes.

  4. Deliver

    Final masters as WAV plus optional AAC/MP3 previews, DDP for CD, or specs for vinyl cutting. Secure download link; we archive 18 months.

Listening room and translation

Mastering is about how your mix behaves outside our walls. We listen in a treated room on full-range speakers and cross-check on nearfields — 3 pairs across the building help compare against mix environments.

We avoid maximizers that impress on one set but collapse on phones or car systems. The aim is a master that holds up on Spotify and on a decent pair of headphones.

Formats and destinations

Default delivery is 24-bit WAV at 44.1 or 48 kHz to match your release. Streaming masters ship without clipping; we respect normalisation targets outlined in our guide.

  • Stereo master for Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp
  • Instrumental or clean version on request (priced as an extra track)
  • DDP when your CD plant requires it
  • Vinyl: 24-bit WAV with headroom per your cutter’s spec

EP and album sequencing

With multiple tracks we look at gap length, relative loudness, and whether the opener sets the right energy. EP packages up to six tracks use the EP rate in the table below.

Send your preferred order; we may suggest small tweaks if two slow songs back-to-back hurt flow. Changing sequence after master approval counts as a revision round.

Stem mastering

When group bus compression or parallel processing is baked in, stem masters (drums, bass, music, vocals) can give control without reopening the mix. It is more labour-intensive and priced per track separately.

Stem work helps when mix and mastering engineers differ but you still want one coherent end picture. Discuss stems before upload — not every mix suits the workflow.

Mix quality and limits

Mastering cannot fix a broken mix: harsh highs, muddy mids, or a collapsing bass stay only partly repairable. If we hear major issues, we flag them before invoicing and may suggest a mix session.

Deliver mixes with headroom (roughly -6 dBFS peak on the stereo bus is plenty) and no brickwall limiter. If you only have a limited “pseudo-master”, include the unlimited mix too.

Turnaround

A single track usually lands within five to ten business days after complete delivery. EPs and busy weeks may take longer; we state a date at confirmation.

Typical schedule
ScopeFirst versionRevisions
1 track5–10 business days2 rounds included
EP up to 6 tracks10–15 business daysFeedback per track OK
RushBy agreementExtra fee agreed upfront

Rates, VAT, and payment

Mastering prices are in the table, including 21% VAT for consumers. Business clients: indicative ex-VAT per track is €76.03.

25% deposit on projects above EP size; B2B invoices due within 21 days. Full policy in terms and conditions. Quotes via contact or [email protected].

Not included

Mastering does not cover remixing, tape restoration, ISRC registration, distributor upload, or artwork. We do not press vinyl; we supply files to your cutting engineer.

Planning vocals or live recording in the same release cycle? Book those as separate services — we can align timing so masters and sessions do not clash.

Included

  • Mastering engineer (Olivevanta team)
  • Checks on multiple monitor systems
  • EQ, dynamics, and loudness tuning
  • 2 revision rounds per track
  • Release-ready WAV masters
  • Short loudness and peak summary
  • Secure download for 18 months
  • Mix issue flag before billing when needed

FAQ

Which file format should I upload?

24-bit WAV, stereo interleaved, no limiter on the mix bus. State sample rate and whether the track belongs to an EP so we can match loudness across sides.

How loud will my master be?

We tune to genre and platform; see streaming loudness for background. Ask explicitly for a quieter, more dynamic master if that is your priority — we note it at intake.

Do you master DJ sets or podcasts?

This page covers music releases. Spoken-word loudness sometimes fits a short mastering pass — e-mail [email protected] with length and goal and we will say whether mixing is a better fit.

What counts as one revision round?

One bundled note list per track (e.g. slightly more presence in the chorus, less sibilance). Several scattered e-mails over weeks count as extra rounds — agree upfront on tight deadlines.

Can I attend the session?

Attended mastering is available by appointment during Mon–Fri 09:30–21:30, Sat 10–17. Unattended is common: you get a reference link and send written feedback. Book through contact.

Other services

Recording in Amsterdam?

Plan your next session with us

Briefly describe what you want to capture: within 2 working days you receive a slot proposal and a written quote, with no obligation.

Request a quote 020 244 8619