Mixing & Mastering
In the world of music, the difference between a good track and a great one often lies in the details. Professional mixing and mastering are essential steps in the music production process, ensuring your music sounds polished, balanced, and competitive across all platforms. With a proven track record at Madebyreko Studio, we understand the importance of these final touches, and our experienced engineers are dedicated to bringing out the best in your music.
How do you prepare your Song for Submission?
Preparation:
- Organize your tracks: Ensure all project files are properly organized before sending them.
- Delete unrequired files: Remove any unnecessary files unrelated to the mix.
- Arrange & Consolidate: Arrange the tracks in your desired final order and export them together as trackouts. If exporting individual tracks, ensure they are synced properly.
File Naming:
Use the following naming convention for trackouts:
- Standard: SongName_Instrument_SerialNo (e.g., Smile_Kick_01)
- Single Instrument: SongName_Instrument (e.g., Smile_Clap)
- Artiste and Track Number: SongName_Artist_Track_SerialNo (e.g., Smile_Reko_LeadVocal_01)
Optional Tracks:
- Use suffixes “A,” “B,” and “C” for most, least, and additional options, respectively (e.g., Smile_Reko_LeadVocal_01_a, Smile_Reko_LeadVocal_01_b).
Effects:
- No Processing: Do not apply compression, EQ, reverb, delay, etc.
- FX Tracks: If specific effects are essential, provide both processed and dry versions:
- Processed: Smile_Reko_BackingVocals_01_FX
- Dry (Original): Smile_Reko_BackingVocals_01_Dry
Audio Levels:
- Ensure no track clips. Aim for peak levels between -3 dB and -6 dB.
- FL Studio Users: Avoid lowering the mixer track to prevent clipping. Address clipping at the source. (Refer to the provided GIF for details)
Resolution:
- Export files at their original recording/creation sample rate.
- Preferred formats: 24bit 48kHz or higher (16bit 44.1kHz is acceptable if original).
- Do not: Upscale or downsample bitrates.
Mastering Information:
- No Fades: Avoid adding fade-ins/-outs to the master or buses.
Text File:
Create a text file named artistname_songname.TXT and include the following information:
- Name of Artist:
- Project Name:
- Song BPM:
- Song Key:
- Apple Music/Spotify links to reference songs (mastered):
- Pointers & Specifics for Mix/Master: (Include as much detail as possible)
Folder Structure:
- Main Folder: artistname_songname
- artistname_songname.TXT (text file)
- Subfolder 1: Main Trackouts (primary trackouts)
- Subfolder 2: Optional Tracks (optional tracks)
- Subfolder 3: Reference Outputs (rough mixes and FX references)
- artistname_songname_roughmix_srno (rough mixes)
- FX references (if any)
Compression and Submission:
- Compress the entire folder (including subfolders) as a ZIP or RAR file.
- Upload the compressed file to WeTransfer or Google Drive and share the link via email.
- Email address: business@madebyreko.com
- CC: business@rekoilchafe.com, rekoilcs@gmail.com
Following these guidelines will ensure your mix submissions are organized and meet the studio’s requirements for efficient processing.
How do i book the service?
You can get in touch with us to order, scheduling a call is preferred as it can help us understand your session well and help us organize our timelines better. Click Here to get in touch with us. Share your details and we will call back soon!
A/B Comparisons
Below are a few examples of recent projects we have mixed and mastered
Rahu Ghum by VLKN (AfroDrill – RnB – Melodic Rap)
Baahar by Kinari (Ambient – Cloud – Trap)
Sunn Le Zara by Angraj (Electronic – Amapiano – HindiPop)
Check Your Energy by Lucid Kay (Boombap – Funk/Soul – Oldschool)
Mixing & Mastering Pricing
All our service tiers provide full set of services required to make your music release ready. Deliverables include. Standard .wav & .mp3s, performance mixes, censored mixes, unmastered .wav.
What is Mixing?
Mixing is the process of blending individual tracks together, adjusting levels, panning, and adding effects to create a cohesive and balanced sound. It’s like taking the ingredients of a recipe and combining them to create a delicious dish.
What is Mastering?
Mastering is the final stage of audio post-production. It involves optimizing the overall sound of your mix, ensuring it translates well across different playback systems and formats. Mastering enhances the sonic qualities of your music, making it louder, clearer, and more impactful.
What Software / Equipment do you use?
We have a well treated acoustic environment for monitoring and engineering your projects. We are well versed with a plethora of DAWs like Pro Tools, Fl Studio, Cubase and more we Primarily use Reaper.fm for Engineering purposes along with range of industry standard plugins and audio restoration suites. All our base services are done “In-The-Box” and we offer optional Analog Processing on the Masters. For Specific details you can get in touch with us.
What does the mixing process at Madebyreko Studio include?
Level and Dynamics Control:
- Level balancing: Proper Gain Staging & Adjusting the Volume level of each track to ensure a balanced mix.
- Compression: Controlling the dynamic range of tracks to make them sound fuller and more consistent.
- Multi-band compression: Applying compression to specific frequency ranges for more precise control over dynamics.
- Transient shaping: Adjusting the attack and sustain of individual sounds to improve clarity and punch.
- Full mix bus processing: Applying final touches to the overall mix, such as subtle EQ and compression, to glue everything together.
Frequency and Tone Shaping:
- EQ (Equalization): Shaping the frequency balance of each element to enhance clarity and definition.
- Spectral balancing: Analyzing and adjusting the frequency spectrum of the mix to ensure a balanced and natural sound.
Spatial Enhancement:
- Stereo panning: Positioning tracks in the stereo field to create a sense of space, depth, and width.
- Stereo imaging: Enhancing the stereo image of the mix to create a wider and more immersive soundstage.
Time-Based and Creative Effects:
- Plug-in effects: Adding reverb, delay, and other effects to enhance the overall sound and create a desired atmosphere.
- Creative effects: Utilizing advanced effects like saturation, distortion, and spatial effects to add character and depth to the mix.
Automation and Refinement:
- Automation: Making precise adjustments to levels, panning, and effects over time to create a dynamic and engaging mix.
- Time-correction and editing: Correcting timing issues and editing out unwanted noises or artifacts.
- Pitch Correction: or as generally called “Auto-tune” Correcting any inconsistencies or inaccuracies in vocal pitch for a polished sound.