RED TUXEDO MASTERING FAQ's
What is Mastering?
Mastering is the final creative step in the music production process. Through the use of specialized equalization, compression, limiting and other tools audio material is maximized for sonic impact and level matched to ensure volume consistency across the full program length. In other words after mastering your material will have a consistent sound that is often fuller, more present and louder than it was before mastering reaching commercially accepted volume levels for your genre of music. Mastering also includes editing or cleaning up the beginning and end of audio files, applying fades, timing gaps between songs and sequencing the material in order as it appears on a CD, vinyl or digital download site. Once sequenced a master RedBook CD or DDP image is produced for duplication or replication.
Why should I hire a professional to master my music?
The biggest advantages to hiring a professional mastering engineer are experienced ears, a well controlled acoustical space, top of the line equipment and a fresh, impartial perspective towards the music being mastered. Mixing and mastering in the same room, with the same engineer and same equipment may leave you wondering,"Does this sound as good as it could sound?" or "Can this compete with major releases?" Using a professional mastering studio can help eliminate the guesswork and give peace of mind that mastering is done correctly, up to industry standards for commercial release.
What are your rates?
For pricing call 404-333-8180 or email studio@redtuxedo.com.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We take credit cards, PayPal, Cash App, Venmo, Zelle and also accept Cryptocurrencies.
Please call 404-333-8180 or email studio@redtuxedo.com for more info or other payment options.
Do you offer online Mastering?
Yes we do offer online mastering! Upon booking a session you can transfer files to studio@redtuxedo.com using our DropBox Links, but any file transfer service will do.
Can I attend my mastering session?
We are not booking attended sessions at this time.
Which file formats do you accept?
We accept WAV, AIFF and SD2 audio files, stereo interleaved or multiple mono. Sample rate 44-192kHz. Bit-depth 24-32. We will accept but do not prefer 16-bit files, mp3 and AAC. We can also master from most tape formats!
Should I limit my mixes before mastering?
We prefer as much "room" to work as possible so if you must use 2-bus compression or limiting please keep it to a minimum. This allows us to use our gear to its greatest effect resulting in a better overall finished product.
What is Apple Digital Masters?
“Music as the artist and sound engineer intended….” – Apple Inc.
AAC files (the audio file format sold on the iTunes store) carry less information about your music than CD quality WAV files. They sound different. In some cases much different.
Using Apple developed software plugins we can now hear what the iTunes encoded AAC will sound like, make changes during the mastering process and compensate for any loss of audio quality that occurs during the conversion from WAV.
Following Apple’s guidelines for ADM delivery we create the best sounding masters possible for AAC encoding and sale on the iTunes store. With the ADM program songs are now available to fans exactly how the artist intended them to be heard!
How can I submit my files?
You can send files to studio@redtuxedo.com using our DropBox Links, but any file transfer service will do. Files can also be mailed to 3399 Peachtree Rd, NE Ste 200, Atlanta, GA 30326 c/o Red Tuxedo. If you are attending your mastering session bring files on a CD or hard drive and we'll handle the rest!
How do I book a session?
Just call 404-333-8180 or email studio@redtuxedo.com and we'll get you on the calendar.