• What is mastering ?
This is the ultimate artistic and technical step of a recording song, before audience listening on each system (HiFi, iPod, Car,..) or cd making.
It's the real difference with "Home Studio" sound and "Big Recording Studio" sound.
It's the polish of your guitar : shell will looks amazing (Didier MOUFLIN owner and mastering engineer at ToxicMaster)
• What is the difference between e-mastering and mastering ?
No difference, except the online way.
With the online way, your mastered tracks have a reduced price because we don't have a sofa room, car park, restroom, or any coffee machine…
With the online way, your mastered tracks have a reduced price because we don't have a sofa room, car park, restroom, or any coffee machine…
• What is the difference between mixing and mastering ?
It brings the homogeneity at all your tracks. It'll emphasize the deep and the subtleties of your records.
It keeps your sound level at like every other music.
Warning : there will be no miracles here ! All occurs to the mixings, we do nothing but embellish them.
• Is it possible to attend the mastering session ?
On the other hand, you can have privileged access link with the mastering engineer : e-mail, phone, webcam…
• Which is the waiting time to obtain my masters ?
• How to know if my masters are ready ?
• How to download mastered tracks ?
You need to connect you on “www.toxicmaster.net” with your “Log-In” and your “Password”, and to download your masters while following the indications.
• How to send the mixings for Mastering ?
You need to create an account and to fill out the information sheet.
• How to have a “Log In” and a “Password” ?
• How much is an e-Mastering session ?
Options :
- DDP Files : +25€/project
- MP3 encoding : +5€/project
- CD Data : +10€ unit /project
- CD-R Audio : +10€ unit /project + shipping cost (3€)
- CD Duplication : ask for price
- mastering by stems (8 tracks) : ask for price
- Emergency mastering (within 24H) :+150€
• How is held the session of e-Mastering ?
2- you confirm the number of tracks and go the payment form
3- you connect yourselves using your login and your password (or if it is not already done, you need to create an user account)
4- you prepare your mastering session (checking of the mix and the data)
5- you send your mixings via our protected server
6- we carry out the mastering of your titles with your recommendations (under 48H at 7 days)
7- you receive e-mail indicating to you that your masters is ready
8- you download your masters since an address that we will send to you by e-mail (you have 7 days to download your tracks)
Note: Beyond the 7 days, the masters are automatically withdrawn from the server.
If you did not have time to download them, make a request by e-mail for a handing-over on line on your dedicated space.
• Why a different “LogIn” and a different “Password” for each project ?
If you are already customer, or if you have several projects to entrust to us, an account user and a password will be allotted to you each time.
• Is it possible to send several versions for the same track ?
- Multiple versions of each track (for example: remix, instrumental, RadioEdit,…) : each version of the same title will be a different mastering.
- A different mixing for each track : we appreciate (really much) to receive alternate versions of track's mixing (generally, leadvox with +1.5dB and/or Bass with -2dB), that enables us to choose between 2 versions for a really optimum result.
• Why the VAT doesn't appear ?
• Is the service of e-Mastering protected ?
Your space on ToxicMaster is dedicated to you. Your data are protected by your “LogIn” and your “Password”. You are the only one has to have access there.
You can constantly change your password, or make the request for a provisional password in the event of loss of old.
The payment is protected via PayPal.
• What happens if I'm not satisfied by the Master version ?
If the Master version is not appropriate to you, it is possible to carry out a last and final improvement after dialogue with the engineer.
This last and final improvement will be free. If the result is not still appropriate, another complete session will have to be made.
• Is it possible that my mixings are refused and if so, why ?
Unfortunately if your mixings make the Mastering session ineffective, we will not be able to bringing out the best.
• What kind of hardware are used for the e-Mastering ?
• How to indicate to the engineer in charge of Mastering the Fades, blank pause to be applied to tracks ?
This file is an obligation from you when you send your mixings to us.
If no indications in this way, a 2 seconds PAUSE will be applied between each track, and fades in & out will be shorter as possible.
Thank you to keep at least 500ms to 1s at the beginning of each track.
• Which are the valid formats of audiophiles for e-Mastering ?
These audio formats are compressed or truncated by definition and deteriorate the quality of the sound making difficult the process of Mastering.
We accept these formats: 16Bits, 24Bits, 32Bits resolution and of the sample rates to 44,1Khz, 48Khz, 88,2Khz, 96Khz.
Thank you to send your mixings in the format in which they were created without applying of Dithering.
Thank you not to apply any compressor (or limiter !!) on the stereo bus.
Also, we advise you to work your recordings with 24Bits (or 32Bits) and 44,1Khz for CD RedBook or with 48Khz for an audio or video DVD.
We provide Standard Audio CD Masters in RedBook Norm : 16Bit/44,1Khz.
Unless otherwise specified of your share (by ex: encoding mp3, 24Bit/48Khz,…)
Important notice on the delivery of your mixings:
If you work your recordings with a BUS COMPRESSOR or LIMITER or a FINALIZER, thanks for agreeing to put it in BYPASS when you lay down or bounce your MIX FOR the MASTERING !
The engineer's work will be all the more effective if you comply with this rule and the result is only better.
It possible that an over-compressed mix can be refused for a session of Mastering.
• Which is best level RMS of mixing ?
You can mix over or under this level, but to in no case, the red LED of the 0DBFS should not light on !
• Is it necessary to apply Dithering to my stereo tracks ?
It is absolutely necessary to avoid applying of Dithering to the mixings.
• Which level RMS for the masters ?
• Is it possible to provide STEMS or separated tracks for the e-Mastering ?
You can transmit to us titles in 8 tracks (maximum).
According to the songs, the tracks distribution must be :
01 : LEAD VOX (mono)
02 : BASS (mono)
03 & 04 : GTR (mono)
05 & 06 : KeyB + Fx (stéréo)
07 & 08 : DRUMS (stéréo)
The important thing is to respect the MONO tracks and the STEREO tracks and to distribute them in 8 tracks !
• Which will be the Master format ?
We can provide you your Master in other formats (DDP, Disc image, 24bit/48Khz,…), please specify it during the ordering.
• Is it possible to receive an Audio CD of Masters by Post ?
It will cost you 10€ by CD.
The carriage costs are with your load (approximately 3€/CD)
• Which are elements required during the transfers of the mixings ?
2- Your important information in a text file (.txt, .doc, .pdf) : information of fades IN/OUT/CROSS, ISRC codes, EAN/UCC codes, credits (Author, Composer, Arranger, Editor, Producer, Label, Distributor,…), and other informations you think important.
3- Your pictures of CD label or jewel (obligatory during encoding .mp3)
4- References tracks : artists or songs you would to sound like (3 titles max ! MP3 welcome !)
• What is the ISRC Code ?
This code breaks up into 4 parts: country - first owner code - year of recording - recording code.
If you do not have one, don't worry do not fill anything. ISRC
• What is the EAN/UCC Code ?
• Which is the minimum necessary system to connect itself to the protected server of ToxicMaster ?
Advised minimal Config:
PC: windowsXP/2000/7 - Internet explorer 6, Firefox 1.05 ou Opera 8.02 - JavaScript - Flash
Mac OSX.3 - Safari, Firefox - JavaScript - Flash
• How long takes the transfer of the data ?
As examples : a connection at 1024Mbs gives a downloading of 400Mo per hour.
Uploading or downloading does not have influence quality of the audio data.
• Which maximum size for my audio files ?
If your files are large, thanks for contacting the Webmaster of this site in order to increase the size of your personal space.