FKINP For a mix that may still need work, Chrome and Medway publish mix-check or stem routes [4][6]; for physical formats, Riverside lists CD and vinyl [1], while Audio Animals details Atmos files [2] and RCD offers direct engineer contact with payment after approval.[5]
Check whether the mix is ready for mastering
Use standard stereo mastering when the balance and arrangement are final. If they are not, look for analysis, mix advice or stem mastering before ordering.
- Chrome Mastering: stereo mastering includes a free mixdown check. Its separate £60 Mix Analysis accepts one full-song bounce or up to 10 groups and returns an approximately 10-minute video and mixed Ableton project.[4] Chrome says the outcome depends on the customer’s skills, listening environment and implementation, so it does not guarantee a complete fix.[4]
- Medway Studios: offers free mixdown advice, standard stereo mastering and paid options for 4, 6 or 8 stereo stems. Its full mixing-and-mastering package permits unlimited stems.[6]
- Audio Animals: offers stereo mastering and stem mastering using up to 25 stems.[2]
- Riverside Music College: says it can work from any format and includes editing, compiling and cleaning blemishes or corruptions.[1]
RCD states a preference for WAV files, while the cited Wired Masters page does not confirm a pre-master check or detailed input specifications.[3][5]
Compare mix routes, engineer access and revision terms
Riverside Music College
Mix input: accepts “any format” and includes editing, sequencing and cleaning blemishes or corruptions.[1]
Engineer and brief: offers attended or unattended sessions, with a particular engineer available on request at no extra cost; availability may increase the wait. The cited page does not say whether references are required.[1]
Outputs and revisions: lists CD, DVD, vinyl, audio-file, immersive and “5:1” masters, but gives no numerical revision allowance.[1]
Audio Animals
Mix input: offers stereo mastering or stem mastering with up to 25 stems.[2]
Engineer and brief: customers can choose Nick Burchall, Paul Ashmore or “Unsure / Next Available”; the cited page does not say whether references are required.[2]
Outputs and revisions: its Atmos add-on supplies an ADM master, binaural mix and surround re-renders. Mastering includes 2 revisions, and further revisions can be purchased.[2]
Wired Masters
Mix input: promotes mastering, post-production and stem mixing, but the cited page does not explain the input route in detail.[3]
Engineer and brief: the cited page does not state a named-engineer selection or reference-track process.[3]
Outputs and revisions: the cited page gives no detailed release-format menu or formal revision allowance. A Galantis testimonial says the studio accommodates revisions, but this is customer testimony rather than a contractual entitlement.[3]
Chrome Mastering
Mix input: stereo mastering accepts one pre-master and includes a free mixdown check; a separate group-based Mix Analysis service is available.[4]
Engineer and brief: the cited page does not name a selectable engineer or say references are required.[4]
Outputs and revisions: lists streaming, club, label, radio, vinyl and Atmos services. Mastering revisions are unlimited, although separate mixing-and-mastering terms exclude specified creative, editing and arrangement work.[4]
RCD Audio
Mix input: provides stereo mastering for home-recorded or home-mixed material and prefers WAV files.[5]
Engineer and brief: customers discuss the project and desired sound directly with Ryan; album projects may include a telephone conversation. The cited page does not say references are required.[5]
Outputs and revisions: revisions are included, but more than three may prompt Ryan to request changes to the original mix. The cited page does not provide a comprehensive release-format menu.[5]
Medway Studios
Mix input: accepts a stereo mix, offers free mixdown advice and provides paid stem-mastering routes.[6]
Engineer and brief: Jesse Skeens runs the service and checks masters against commercial releases or customer-supplied references; references are accepted but not stated as mandatory.[6]
Outputs and revisions: specifies 24-bit WAV delivery. Revisions to the original file and one updated file are free; subsequent files may be charged as alternate mixes, while different mixdowns can require full remastering.[6]
Specify release masters and alternate versions
- Physical media and vinyl: Riverside lists CD, DVD, vinyl and audio-file masters.[1] Chrome treats vinyl as a separate master under the same pricing structure as digital mastering; previous mix-and-master customers are quoted £35 per song.[4]
- Streaming, club, label and radio: Chrome explicitly offers stereo masters for these uses.[4]
- Dolby Atmos: Audio Animals specifies an ADM master, binaural mix and surround re-renders for Apple Music, TIDAL and Amazon Music.[2] Chrome lists an Atmos service but does not detail an equivalent deliverables package on the cited page.[4]
- Specialist formats: Riverside lists immersive audio and “5:1” final formats for film, television and gaming work.[1]
Chrome provides an instrumental made by removing the vocals free of charge. Another edit of the same mastered track, or a radio edit made by shortening the intro or outro, costs £10; a different customer-supplied arrangement costs £20.[4]
Medway says alternate versions must use exactly the same mixdown, such as radio, extended or instrumental versions. A different mixdown attracts a full mastering charge, while a late submission after mastering adds a £10 recording fee.[6] Its page conflicts on the alternate-mix price: the explanatory text says £10, while the rate card says £12.[6]
Separate revisions from changes to the mix
When comparing quotes, distinguish an adjustment to the mastering treatment from a corrected mix, replacement stem, alternate vocal or arrangement change. Each provider may draw this boundary differently.
- Chrome Mastering: offers unlimited mastering revisions. Its mixing-and-mastering service excludes new sounds, delays, filter automation, long fades, large reverbs, arrangement changes, audio editing and removal of material from the standard process. One audio-editing revision and one stem replacement or resubmission are free; further changes are priced according to complexity.[4]
- RCD Audio: includes revisions, but Ryan may identify a larger problem after more than three and ask for changes to the original mix before mastering continues.[5]
- Medway Studios: includes revisions to the original submitted file and one updated file. Further submitted files are treated as paid alternate mixes.[6]
- Audio Animals: includes 2 mastering revisions, with more available to purchase, and permits replacement of a wrong mix if work has not started. After work begins, a re-run of the same mix costs £10, while a different mix requires a new mastering order.[2]
- Riverside and Wired Masters: neither cited page states a numerical contractual revision allowance.[1][3]
Check turnaround, payment and price
Audio Animals offers 1-working-day, 2–5-working-day and 5–7-working-day options, measured against the selected engineer’s Monday-to-Friday working days. Customers with a fixed deadline are asked to state it when ordering. Orders and payment must be made before work begins.[2]
RCD charges £35 per song and mentions album discounts without giving the amounts. It normally sends a sample master within one working day per track, requests payment after approval and then releases the full master.[5]
The cited pages do not state Riverside’s turnaround, payment timing or core stereo price [1]; Wired Masters’ turnaround, payment timing or core price [3]; Chrome’s mastering payment timing or core stereo price [4]; or Medway’s standard non-express turnaround and payment timing.[6]
What to confirm with each provider
- the total price for the main master and every alternate version;
- the number of mastering revisions included;
- whether one corrected stereo mix or replacement stem is included;
- the engineer who will handle the project and how the listening brief will be agreed;
- whether a reference track is optional or required;
- the upload file type, bit depth and sample rate;
- the exact deliverables for streaming, radio, club, vinyl, physical media or Atmos;
- the delivery deadline and payment point;
- download expiry, file retention, project recall and redelivery charges;
- cancellation and file-deletion terms.
References
- Mastering ⋆ Riverside Music College Analogue and digital mastering (riversidemusiccollege.ac.uk)
- Mastering (audioanimals.co.uk)
- Audio Mastering, Post Production, Stem Mixing, Studio and Online Services in London, UK – WiredMasters (wiredmasters.co.uk)
- Chrome Mastering | House & Techno Mixing and Mastering Studio | Services – Chrome Mastering (chromemastering.co.uk)
- Mastering Engineer UK – £35 Per Song | Friendly Service (rcdaudio.co.uk)
- EDM Mastering Studio (medwaystudios.com)
