FAQ - Hof 7 Audio

What is mastering?

Mastering is the link between art and technology. It’s the final stage in audio post production where we make final tweaks on a song and prepare it for release. This process ensures that the master will translate well to most playback systems. These include home stereos, audiophile setups, smartphones, bluetooth speakers and club PA systems. Mastering concentrates on the “velour” of the mix and is not meant to fix a bad mix.

Besides expertise and proper tools, another key to commercial grade masters is pristine monitoring. Therefore it is important to hire a professional to master your music who hears every nuance and knows exactly what to do, and more importantly, what not to do. This way you can be sure that your music will be in good hands and will reach the highest standards.

What is stem mastering service?

In addition to the online mastering service for stereo material, we also offer stem mastering. During this process we work with grouped stereo tracks. For example you can send your kick, bass, drums, guitar and vocal groups as separate audio files. This would allow more control during the process and could give better results. However, it is important to note that this doesn’t replace mixing. One can only improve a poor mix to a certain extent with this method, but not to perfection. If your mix needs improvement, let’s get in touch!

Fixing a bad mix?

Despite a wide-spread misconception, the primary aim of mastering is not to correct errors. Its purpose is to make a good mix sound great and translate well on different playback systems. Having said that, one can fix certain errors of course, but a poorly mixed track will not benefit much from the process. If you have a problematic mix, let’s get in touch!

What is mixing? ​

Mixing involves a series of tasks to blend individual tracks together in order to make a song sound coherent. It is a creative process which requires a lot of experience, state-of-the-art tools and both a professional and artistic approach. In mixing we use tools such as volume, equalization, compression, distortion, reverb and delay.

How to send files for the online mixing service?

For the online mixing service to be as successful as possible, it is important to follow the guidelines below:

  • When delivering tracks for mixing please bounce out all individual tracks from your projects starting in the same position. You can easily bounce out all single tracks simultaneously with any DAW.
  • Always send unprocessed, dry audio tracks. This means that you shouldn’t apply any effects on your tracks after recording. If you export virtual instruments which have built in reverb, delay, EQ etc., it’s a good practice to send both, a dry and a processed version (for example: synth1_dry and synth1_wet
  • Don’t convert your files to another sample rate an bit depth then they were originally recorded at.
  • Whenever you export a file from your DAW, use at least 44.1 kHz and 24 bit resolution (32 bit float is recommended).
  • Feel free to include your rough mix and several reference tracks. This practice often communicates much more than many words.

*Prior to uploading, please name your files clear and reasonably. So instead of for example “track01, track02, track03”, use
file names like “kickdrum, bass, synth lead” etc.

How to send files for the online mastering service?

  • Before sending your tracks for the online mastering service, remove everything from the master bus
  • All EQs, compressors, limiters, maximizers, saturators, tape simulators, stereo wideners, enhancers etc. should be switched off.
  • If you mixed into your own mastering chain, feel free to additionally include your own mastered version to give us an impression what sound or loudness you where shooting for.
  • Never clip and don’t squash your mix! Leave at least 3-6 dB headroom for the mastering process.
  • Send your files in at least 44.1 kHz 24 bit wave format. It is also very important that you never convert your files to a different sample rate and bit depth other then they were originally recorded at.
  • You can use any file sharing app of your choice like for example Dropbox or WeTransfer