HOW TO PLACE YOUR ORDER
- Select Your Service: Choose the studio service you require, whether it’s mixing, mastering, or both.
- Mastering Service: Count the number of stems you’ve exported from your project and select the stem count that fits your budget and project size.
- Package Customisation: Ensure all your required options are included in your package before proceeding.
- Checkout & Upload: After selecting your package, add it to your basket and complete the checkout. Once payment is confirmed, upload your files and details using the upload form here. Don’t forget to include your order number for easy reference.
- Processing: Once we’ve received your payment and files, we’ll start working on your order. The master will be sent back within the timeframe you selected during checkout.
- Final Delivery: When your order is completed, your files will be delivered via email. If any revisions or edits are needed, you can discuss them with the engineer.
Under the Service tab you can select the service you require depending on your needs.
- Stereo Mastering is the mastering of your stereo mix, performed in our state-of-the-art mastering studio by either Nick Burchall. This process ensures your music is polished to perfection, enhancing clarity, depth, and overall sonic quality.
- Stem Mastering is the mastering of each individual stem you provide, allowing the engineer to process and balance each element with precision through the mastering chain. This approach offers greater flexibility and control. For example, if the bass is too loud, the engineer can adjust the volume of the bass stem independently without affecting other sounds in that frequency range, avoiding the need for EQ or multiband compression. This results in a cleaner and more balanced master.
- Dolby Atmos Mastering involves mastering your song in a fully immersive 3D audio space. The Dolby Atmos ADM master can be released alongside your stereo master, offering a fully immersive audio experience for platforms like Apple Music, Amazon, and Tidal.
Under the Turnaround tab you can select when your masters are returned to you completed.
- 1 Working Day (returned next working day)
- 2-5 Working Days (returned within 2-5 working days)
- 5-7 Working Days (returned within 5-7 working days)
Turnaround time is calculated based on the selected engineer’s working days, Monday to Friday. If you have a specific deadline for your master, please inform us when placing your order, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
By adding + Dolby Atmos Master to your order, you will receive a Dolby Atmos master that can be released alongside your stereo master, providing an enhanced audio experience for listeners.
- Studio A offers a 100% digital Dolby Atmos master using a 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos system. This fully digital setup ensures pristine audio quality, delivering a Dolby Atmos master that is clean, precise, and optimised for immersive playback on all major platforms.
- Studio B is our primary 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos mastering studio, equipped with 180 channels of analogue processing. This setup allows us to process every object with high-end analogue equipment, resulting in a Dolby Atmos master that not only sounds spacious and three-dimensional but also has a rich, vibrant quality with an added analogue glow.
Under the + Stereo Master tab you can select to add stereo mastering to your Dolby Atmos order. It is important to note that the stereo and Dolby Atmos masters are designed to playback alongside each other. The stereo master is optomised for stereo playback, whilst the Dolby Atmos master is optomised for Dolby Atmos playback. The Dolby Atmos master should not be used as your stereo master.
By adding + Apple Digital Master to your order, you will receive both the stereo master and a high-resolution 96k Apple Digital Master. This master can be released on Apple Music as an official Hi-Res Apple Digital Master, optimised specifically for Apple Music playback. All Apple Digital Masters are awarded a badge and marketed as official Hi-Res releases, ensuring your music plays back at the highest quality and stands out on the platform.
By adding + Vinyl Master to your order, you will receive an additional version of your master, specifically optimised and prepared for vinyl pressing. This ensures your music is perfectly tailored for the unique sound and requirements of vinyl production.
By adding + Additional Masters to your order, you will receive back the masters for any of the following additional file types in stereo and Dolby Atmos (if selected).
- Instrumental (Dolby Atmos if selected)
- Acapella (vocal bus only)
- Performance Mix (version with lead vocal removed)
- Radio Edit (additional tracks must be supplied)
- Extended Edit (additional tracks must be supplied)
By adding + Mastered Stems to your order, you will receive all processed stems mastered through the same mastering chain as the stereo mix. These mastered stems are ideal for film and TV licensing, remix purposes, or further production.
ABOUT NICK BURCHALL
Nick co-owns and works as the lead mastering engineer at Audio Animals, bringing over two decades of expertise in mastering projects for some of the world’s top artists and films. Recognised as one of the industry’s best, Nick excels in mastering across all genres.
The centrepiece of Nick’s mastering studio is his state-of-the-art analogue mastering chain, featuring the renowned UnFairchild 670m mk2, Shadow Hills Optograph Compressor, and Elysia Alpha Compressor, three of the most coveted compressors in the industry. Nick’s unique approach to utilising this high-end equipment delivers a sound that is truly one-of-a-kind.
SPEAKERS / MONITORS
2x Ex Machina Arcturus
2x Ex Machina Pulsar
Ex Machina Quasar
8x Ex Machina Titan
Tantrum Audio Angry Box
CONSOLE
Solid State Logic AWS 948
Avid Dock
CONVERTERS
Avid MTRX Studio (TB)
Lynx Aurora N 32 HD
Lynx Aurora N 16 HD
Burl B-16 Mothership
Burl BAD4M
Burl BDA4M
OTHER PROCESSING
Whitestone Audio P331
Vertigo VSM-2
Rupert Neve MBT
Elysia Nvelope
McDSP APB 8
Universal Audio Quad PCIe
EQ’S
Hendy Amps Michelangelo XL
IGS Audio 825EQ
Maselec MEA-2
Buzz Audio REQ 2.2
Dangerous Music BAX
Goly Porter Grinder
AudioTales Designs 1951 ME
AudioTales Designs 1954
Wes Audio NG Tube EQ
Cranborne Audio Carnaby HE2
COMPRESSORS
UnFairchild 670m mkII
Elysia Alpha Compressor
Shadow Hills Optograph Compressor
Hum Audio LAAL
Maselec MLA-3
Maselec MPL-2
Bettermaker Limiter V2
Elysia Xmax
OTHER
Trinnov MC-Pro Dante 64
Flock Audio Patch
BEFORE & AFTER MASTERING DEMOS
Mastering in the hands of a skilled engineer can elevate your music to an entirely new level. This transformation is especially evident when you listen to the before and after audio demos below. You’ll notice an added warmth and glow that makes the music highly pleasing to the ear, subtly encouraging the listener to sit up and take notice. Ask yourself: How do I perceive the before and after examples? Can you detect the enhanced detail and presence that mastering has introduced? Can you hear the added depth and the three-dimensional image that has been achieved?
- Original – Clients original mix unmastered and level matched to the master.
- Master – Audio Animals mastering applied to the original mix, showcasing the difference mastering has made.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY ABOUT US
What sets Audio Animals apart from other companies is our deep understanding of our clients and their needs. We know you want revisions included in the service. We understand the importance of fast, reliable turnaround times. We ensure you only pay for the services you require, without any unnecessary add-ons. Our focus on truly understanding our clients allows us to provide a service tailored specifically to your needs.
Dominik
“All I can say they never disappoint! Always deliver everything I am looking for. Loud, powerful and pro sound, exactly how I wanted it to be. Audio Animals are really professional and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND to everyone. Definitely I will keep using this service in the future!”
Sam Cole
“Nick perfectly balanced my track and I could clearly hear each instrument against the vocals, but still preserving the song’s dynamics. It didn’t matter what device I played it through, everything sounded great and clear. Something that we all want when people listen to our music.”
Rob Horvarth
“We were looking for an experienced mastering engineer. Paul at Audio Animals Ltd. appeared to be the right man for the job and he did not fail us. Paul delivered an extraordinary and breathtaking master. Our Album has been lifted to the next level and we are extremely happy.”
Harry Mindgame
“I’d never considered using a studio for mixing and mastering my tracks until I found Audio Animals. I instantly recognized Paul’s passion and knew that he was someone who really gets it. I couldn’t imagine a better signal chain, everything I would use for mastering.”
TZ
“I just wanted to let you know that the whole band is amazed by your skills. It is unbelievable how excellent the sound could be, if there are professionals working on it (YOU!). We thank you from the bottom of out hearts, I have never been so satisfied while listening to songs that we recorded.”
Kosta Lois
“I have to say Nick Burchall has one of the best ears in the entire record business for mastering. He’s definitely become my go to guy! He takes what I give him and puts the final polish on it – also he’s always right on time for all of my deadlines and easy to work with. A pleasure to work with!!!”
NICK BURCHALL FAQ
What Studio Should I Select – Studio A or Studio B?
While both studios deliver exceptional mastering results, Studio A is regarded as our primary stereo mastering studio, while Studio B is regarded as our primary mixing and mastering studio. We recommend choosing your studio based on your previous experience working with the mastering engineer. If you’re unsure which engineer to choose, simply select Unsure / Next Available from the menu, and we will assign the engineer best suited to your song.
Studio A (Nick Burchall) is Audio Animals primary mastering studio and the one we most often recommend. It features one of the finest mastering chains in the world, built around a truly unique selection of highly sought-after mastering equipment.
Studio B (Paul Ashmore) is Audio Animals primary mixing and mastering studio. Its mastering chain includes some of the industry’s finest digitally recallable mastering equipment, offering a more modern workflow and a contemporary sound.
All orders will be turned around within the time frame selected when placing your order. Turnaround time is based on days the selected engineer works between Monday to Friday. If you have a specific day you need your master back for, please let us know when placing your order.
- 1 Working Day (returned next working day)
- 2-5 Working Days (returned within 2-5 working days)
- 5-7 Working Days (returned within 5-7 working days)
Mastering is an essential process that finalises your song ready for distribution. Processing is applied to the master bus in order to achieve a sound that is glued together and sounding the best it possibly can. Processing includes EQ, compression, limiting, saturation, stereo widening, de-essing and other processing. Mastering in the hands of a professional engineer will achieve a wider, more detailed and controlled sound. Mastering ensures playback of your song is correct across all devices.
Stem mastering is the process of summing up to 25 stems together and mastering the summed stems across the master bus. The benefit of working in this way is that the engineer has control over each individual stem that is summing to the master bus. Resulting in being able to process and balance each individual stem correctly to get the very best from the song.
What Are The Benefits Of Stem Mastering?
The main benefit of stem mastering is that the engineer has full control over each stem when mastering. For instance if the vocals are too loud we are able to decrease the volume without affecting any other stem. As well if the bass is too quiet, instead of using EQ to bring the bass volume up, which in tern brings up the frequency of other sounds in the frequency range, we are able to use gain to increase the bass stem independently of all other sounds in that frequency range.
What Is Dolby Atmos Mastering?
Dolby Atmos mastering is a process that allows us to take your songs mixed stems and transform it into a Dolby Atmos master. Working in our Dolby Atmos mastering studios we are able to position and pan your song in a 3D space. Creating a fully immersive and spatial master that can then be released on streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Amazon and Tidal. The difference this service makes is outstanding and quite honestly takes your music to an unimaginable level.
What Is The Difference Between Apple Spatial And Dolby Atmos?
There is technically no difference. Apple Spatial is what Apple call it and Dolby Atmos is what everyone else calls it. Apple spatial is played back through Apple’s own codec. All other streaming platforms playback using the Dolby Atmos codec.
What Is Apple Digital Mastering?
By adding + Apple Digital Master to your order, you will receive back both the stereo master as well as the Apple Digital Master. This master can then be released on Apple Music as an official Apple Digital Master that is optimised specifically for Apple Music. All Apple Digital Masters are rendered at 96k giving them Hi Res Apple Digital Master badge on Apple Music.
By adding + Vinyl Master to your order, you will receive back an additional version of your master optimised ready to be pressed to vinyl. This master will be ready to send to your cutting house of choice. It is very important that a master optimised to be pressed to vinyl is used and not a master that is designed for digital distribution.
What Is An Additional Master?
By adding + Additional Stereo Master to your order, you will receive back all additional mixes mastered through the same mastering chain as the original mix.
- Instrumental
- Acapella (vocal bus only)
- Performance Mix (version with lead vocal removed)
- Radio Edit (additional stems must be supplied)
- Extended Edit (additional stems must be supplied)
What Is Stereo Mastered Stems?
By adding + Stereo Mastered Stems to your order, you will receive back all stems provided mastered through the exact same mastering chain as the stereo mix. Mastered stems can be used for film and TV licensing as well as remix purposes and further production.
When Do I Pay For Mastering?
Orders / payment must be made before work on your song begins. This ensures our engineers, take the necessary time and care required to return you the very best master.
How Many Revisions Can I Make?
Mastering includes 2 revisions. Mastering revisions give you the peace of mind that the end result is going to be exactly as you want it. On the rare occasion you exceed 2 revisions, you can always purchase more via our revisions and re-runs page.
If you need to change the mix in any way after mastering there is a master re-run fee of £10. This small charge covers the engineers time to recall the mastering chain and re-record the updated master.
Should I Leave My Mastering Plugins Active?
It is advised to remove all plugins from your master bus that effect dynamic range. This includes plugins such as compression or limiting. It is best to remove all plugins but we understand that some clients want to leave EQ or saturation active as it is part of their sound. The reason we suggest removing master bus processing is so that we have a mix that has full dynamic range and we are able to compress and limit at the correct stage of the mastering chain.
What If I Have Accidentally Sent The Wrong Mix For Mastering?
If work has not yet begun on your song, you can simply get in touch with us and replace the file.
If work has already begun on your song and you need to replace the mix for a new one. Two outcomes will occur.
If the mix is technically the same song and same mix but there is a change resulting in the song needing to be re-run. There is a small charge of £10 for a master re-run to cover the time the engineer must take to re-run your song.
If the mix is completely different or a different song altogether, a new order for mastering will need to be placed. The reason for this is because mastering will need to be started from scratch and the previous master scrapped.
Before sending your song always make sure that the mix is correct and the file you are sending is the mix you intend to be mastered.
Why Should I Get My Music Professionally Mastered?
Mastering is one of the most important parts of the engineering process of a song. Mastering can make or break a song. Too many artists fall at the final hurdle with poor quality mastering using either digital plugins or guesswork using AI mastering. A professional mastering engineer will ensure your music plays back correctly across all devices. Nothing comes close to a skilled engineer in a 100% accurate room using high quality analogue mastering equipment.
Your mix can be uploaded safely and securely via the upload page here or in your account here. Bypass any compression / limiting you may have on your master bus before printing your audio ready for mastering.
- File Type: Wav
- Bitrate: 16/24/32bit
- Sample Rate: 44,1kHz – 96kHz
- Headroom: -3db / -6db
My Mix Is Limited Or Clipping Can You Still Work With This?
It is not ideal but yes we can work with a limited or clipped mix. The approach to mastering a limited mix is similar but requires a very precise approach in order to ensure the song is not over compressed or distorted.
I Only Have A Mp3 Is This Ok To Work With?
If a mp3 is the highest quality file you have and you are unable to obtain a high quality wav file, we will be able to work with this.
What Will I Receive Back?
Stereo masters are returned in the following formats, if you require any others, please let us know:
- 96kHz 24bit wav
- 48kHz 24bit wav
- 44.kHz 24bit wav
- 44.1kHz 16bit wav
- 320kbs 16bit wav
Dolby Atmos masters are returned in the following formats:
- 48kHz 24bit wav ADM
- 96kHz 24bit wav ADM
- 96kHz 24bit wav binaural mix
- 96kHz 24bit wav re-renders
- 768kbs mp4
Can I Credit Audio Animals For The Mastering?
Yes, if you would like to credit Audio Animals for the mastering of your music you can do so. Please credit Audio Animals Ltd and either Paul Ashmore or Nick Burchall as the mastering engineer. This is not required but is greatly appreciated.
