Mastering for streaming services, article Updated for March 2020 :

I thought it was a good time to put pen to paper so to speak and write a blog entry about mastering for streaming music in 2022 amongst other musings. Mastering for streaming covers services such as Spotify, Youtube, Soundcloud and Apple Music (iTunes with Soundcheck enabled)

At Safe&Sound Mastering there has been a fairly uniform work flow over the last 12 years along with numerous studio improvements. Such improvements make achieving precise and repeatable mastering results easier. I shall cover a few areas of mastering in 2022 including mastering for streaming services in this entry.

Taking the studio acoustics as far as possible.

Notably the acoustics have been improved by the addition of 9 new super chunk type bass traps made from Rockwool RW3/RW45 and Camira type fabric. Initially this was quite a difficult job as I had to rearrange some of the existing copious trapping in order not to encroach too much on the studios existing work space. I am pleased to say that due to the rearrangement of existing bass traps it was possible to have virtually no impact on the immediate open space and sweet spot between the monitors. This new and very large trapping has produced an immediate sonic benefit over the already very heavily trapped room.

To trap bass you need serious volume. (I have traps here that are 1.8M deep)

With every acoustic improvement the sonic capability of the PMC IB1S and Crane Song Solaris Quantum DAC (commentary online is that this is the virtually the best DAC that currently exists) are presented in a more refined manner and make for a ruthless and precise monitoring system for mastering. As an engineer it is always good to push the acoustics to their final conclusion in a room as it produces even greater confidence. Especially in the realms of equalization from the deepest lows to the highest highs. Small fractions of dB’s in context of mastering can make surprisingly significant improvements in the perception of audio. These seemingly small details add up to be greater than the sum of parts and subjectively enhance the musical experience for the listener.

Mastering for streaming and perceived volumes – LUFS

Most streaming services (with exception of SoundCloud and Bandcamp at the time of writing) have been getting their act together over the last 2-3 years with regards to volume normalization on playback. Whilst there are some small specified LUFS level differences between streaming services they have least come to some kind of sensible specification for an optimal level for audio on playback that does not require significant amounts of limiting. The LUFS values differ slightly, but it is better today than it was some years ago. With care it is possible to hit a volume sweetspot where the music works well for all volume normalized platforms.This does not however account for when such normalization is not switched on by the end user. At this time Youtube, Spotify and Apple Music (when Soundcheck engaged by end user) utilize volume normalization. The goal here being to try and bring some parity to end user playback volumes.

Dance music producers often want a very loud master (especially the most hevay styles) and this is not a problem as I am well versed in “loud” techniques without overly crushing music. It could be a sensible plan to request a lower streaming version of your track just to allow it to breathe a bit more.

For most streaming platforms a great sounding master of moderate volume will work fine (with 1dB TruePeak headroom below 0dBFS). If I was to use -14 LUFS (as one “target” example) it has been reported in online forums that some tracks are playing back at a volume lower than expected on some services. So very often, a single, great sounding master at moderate volume that will work as the best compromise across all platforms is the best response.

Density or pressure in sound is something we have become accustomed to over the last few decades and a lower density of sound from less compression and limiting (tasteful and skillful use of…I hasten to add) can also affect the perceived playback volume and possibly why we can see reports online that the oft mentioned” targets” end up sounding lower than other tracks. It is complex and a bit of a moving target still. For now 1 great sounding master with some lossy encoder headroom below 0dBFS will sound good everywhere, much like it has done for the history of recorded music. Let the streaming services knock it down a little to target if it needs to. What matters is great sound quality.

Overall this is seen as a positive move as most music benefits from not being excessively limited. Good mastering engineers understand this as there is much that can be done to improve music during mastering over and above “making it extremely loud” which typically comes with some sonic compromises. Great attention to equalization (and type), character compression and for some control, transients, depth, stereo image, M/S processing, harmonics and analogue enhancement is what mastering has always been about. I am better equipped here than ever before and produce the best results I ever have with the least revisions. Loudness has for the last few years just played a rather more dominant role in the process probably because it is the most obvious parameter heard by human ears.

CD releases and tracks for the heavier styles of dance music DJ’s are not seeing the same changes and is very much driven by discussion between mastering engineer and client as to the right volume target as per genre and planned usage/release purpose. It is best to communicate what the streaming services you plan to distribute on. In some instances it is preferred (given the budget) to produce multiple masters (louder and less so) which can be presented for online streaming and the CD/DJ counterpart. I think over the months and years ahead we shall see a return to a lower average volume for masters and this will benefit sound quality.

Until such time communication with your mastering engineer is important. At this time I am dealing with each job generously on a case by case basis depending on genre, if there is a cd release counterpart, digital online file distribution etc. It will be an ongoing concern and the approach may change as time goes on as industry and platform specific changes develop.

Quality, world class, great value mastering in 2022

In 2020 I am feeling confident that the services I provide at my low rates are some of the best on the planet. Yes, that is right.. I am better equipped than ever before, more experienced and revise less and less. I use PMC IB1S (Truly mastering grade monitors @ £7,000.00), High end analogue rack, up to date DSP (digital and emulation plug ins), Crane Song QUANTUM DAC (widely regarded as the best DAC that exists) and 1 Kilowatt of Hypex amplifiers. What do you pay for mastering..£50.00? £65.00? £100.00 a track ? Think cost = better end result ? Maybe rethink that. Right now I charge £30.00 for a track (or less for multiple tracks). If you are paying “top dollar” for your mastering, try me, £30.00 little to lose and much to gain. Curious to compare ? I thought so….you can order here:

PRICING AND PAYMENT

Automated “mastering”

There are numerous automated “mastering” services online and they seem squarely aimed at the beginners market. Now you might think that even speaking of it is admission that it could be a problem, well no. I have never personally understood why such services would gain popularity given the availability of low cost professional mastering services with years of audio engineering experience backing it up. For albums and EP’s it is nonsensical (they need a holistic approach getting multiple tracks to work as a product) and even a single track could have taken months of work to to produce. Leaving this to a cold digital algo seems inappropriate.

More of my thoughts on this matter here:

Automated Mastering

Every year new DSP is developed, some great, some not so great and in the hands of myself (and on top of my long career as a mastering professional) these give a strong advantage allowing me to take your music to its maximum sonic potential.

I have always found that my clients have very much felt the inclusive mix appraisal (when requested) and my careful professional ear over their music and mix, listening for defects and mix errors is of great value.The feedback provided being concise and informative going way above the mastering process alone in providing the best chance of an optimal master. This is coupled with the correction of issues such as clicks and glitches which may have gone unheard. In any event if the mix has an abnormality I always prefer to double check with the client before pressing ahead.

The value, connection and complex technical and musical response to productions from a dedicated attentive human will never be replaced by a cold digital algorhythm. Music is produced by and listened to by human beings, the response to music is human, the emotions evoked are human and so to miss this opportunity for valuable human professional input seems short sighted and unlearned. This is music, not number crunching.

Finally to wrap up on this subject, there is one other major advantage to professional mastering… analogue. It can’t happen in sausage factory digital mastering land. There is a very real reason that professional mastering engineers have a rack of analogue equipment. It simply is not the same as static algorythm and has after 15 years of plug in emulation not managed to be able to successfully take analogue’s place.

Getting your music mastered by a mastering engineer is an ongoing relationship that adds value and objective listening experience.

Vinyl premastering services

I continue to do a lot of vinyl premastering for albums and EP’s at Safe&Sound. With the resurgence of a vinyl release for EP and Albums the market for this vinyl pre-mastering service is buoyant. Around 30pct of clients getting their EP or album mastered for online and CD having the vinyl premastering counterpart files delivered as well. I will make sure the files that are delivered to your lathe engineer of choice will correctly cut to vinyl with my pre master quality control and vinyl format specific tweaks. Just inquire when you get in contact.

New software and computer hardware

Early in the year (2017) I purchased a new PC for the mastering studio which has been put into service. The old PC has been working perfectly for 7 years and still does, I like to have the new system built and configured ready to go. I have been doing significant testing of the new custom built audio pc (by SCAN) to ensure reliability before migrating over to it as the main studio PC. The machine has plenty of CPU horsepower, SSD drives and silent passive CPU cooling. I requested the installation of the ultimate in high end power supplies (Seasonic Titanium 850W). This is a silent PC power supply with a 10 year warranty, over engineered for complete reliability.

In addition I have been updating some existing software and testing out some new. Any new products are rigourously tested for their sonic qualities before being employed in the mastering DAW. It takes time to really understand if small improvements in DSP are producing real benefits to audio. I take a careful ear selected approach to this and do not rush new products into the mastering process. This includes, emulations, new forms of DSP and updates of existing software.

Pricing

I have always wanted to give clients a good price for their mastering but never at the expense of the quality of the end results. In fact it has even been suggested that some people have been put off by the low pricing. That is a shame, but to those people I say give me a try and you will be pleasantly surprised. I aim high and you have nothing to lose by putting your price bias aside and finding out for yourself.

Clients of Safe&Sound Mastering to which I owe gratitude for their ongoing support and trust over the 13 years of operation know their music is being worked upon with serious mastering grade studio equipment.

No solitary nearfields or cobbled together monitoring in a spare room, (or expensive prices for low industry experience and a set of near fields) but serious level PMC IB1S  monitoring in a no compromise linear acoustic. The analogue and digital equipment being operated by sole engineer, a person familiar with all music genres and with 20 years audio engineering experience. (PMC, Crane Song, Manley, Sontec (clone), Summit, HCL, custom specified audio PC, serious and copious acoustic treatment)

I appreciate that people value consistency in pricing and approach and there will be no drastic increases, prices may increase slightly in the future but none are planned for the time being. I welcome clients from every region of the globe with the same enthusiasm and professional friendly approach. It would be easier to list the handful of countries in which I have not worked with people, making the mastering service I provide truly global.

As things change in the world and music business I will remain true to my plan of excellent mastering results, good communications, providing help to new and professional musicians, bands, labels and producers alike. Giving advice, using serious equipment at an unbeatable price. I am very appreciative of the support so I have been able to provide 13 years of my professional career dedicated to mastering audio.

If you found this of interest and are interested in having your music professionally mastered please do not hesitate to get in contact….please also feel free to share on social media and other online audio hangouts, the more the merrier !

23 years audio engineering experience

Dedicated to mastering

Serious mastering equipment and acoustics

Surprisingly affordable mastering prices without compromise

Get in contact :

safeandsound123atgooglemail.com (at being @) _ 0044 (0)7810271371