Mixing & Mastering

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SKU: AA-MIXING Category:

    HOW TO PLACE YOUR ORDER

    How It Works
    1. To build your studio service package first select the studio service you require. Next count how many stems you have exported from your project and select the stem count that best suits your budget and the amount of stems you will be sending to be mixed or mastered. Be sure to check all your requirements are ticked in your package.
    2. Once you have your package selected, add it to basket and proceed through the checkout. Now you have paid for your studio service you can upload your files and all information via our upload form in your account here. Please ensure you add your order number so that we know which order is linked to which files. Here you can add any notes or information you feel we need to know.
    3. As soon as we have received your payment and files we will download and begin working with your order. The initial mix or master is returned to you in the timeframe you have selected when building your package.
    4. When your order is completed you will receive your files via email. Any additional revisions or edits can be discussed with the engineer. Once all parties are happy with the end result your order will be marked off as complete.
    Processed Stem / RAW Multitrack File Count

    Stem mixing is the mixing of your processed stems. By definition a stem is a processed stereo audio recording sourced from the finished song. Stems are not RAW and must always include the processing applied to the track in your session. Playback of your stems should playback the finished production and playback exactly as your reference / rough mix does. Stems must include all processing that is active in your DAW except for any master bus processing. Stems can be broken down into individual stems such as kick, snare and hi-hat. Or can be sent as a complete drum stem. Providing more stems gives us more flexibility to mix each individual sound in the mix.

    • 2-10 Stem Mix
    • 11-25 Stem Mix
    • 26-50 Stem Mix
    • 51-100 Stem Mix

    Multitrack mixing is the mixing of your RAW audio recordings. By definition multitrack audio recordings do not include any processing and are 100% RAW files that need to be mixed from the ground up. RAW audio recordings can be mono or stereo and include as much or as little processing you wish to apply.

    • 2-10 Multitrack Mix
    • 11-25 Multitrack Mix
    • 26-50 Multitrack Mix
    • 51-100 Multitrack Mix

    The more stems or files you are able to provide, the more flexibility we have to mix and process each individual sound.

    Mix 1 Turnaround

    Under the Mix 1 Turnaround tab you can select when your initial mixes are returned to you completed.

    • 1 Working Day (returned next working day)
    • 2-5 Working Days (returned within 2-5 working days)
    • 5+ Working Days (returned after 5 working days)

    Turnaround time is based on days the mixing engineer works between Monday to Friday. If you have a specific day you need your mix or master back for, please let us know when placing your order.

    + Stereo Master

    By adding + Stereo Master to your order, you will receive back a stereo master performed in the mastering studio of your choice. Analogue mastering achieves a more overall pleasing master to the ear with a sense of depth and 3D space.

    • + Stereo Master Studio A
    • + Stereo Master Studio B

    Studio A (Nick Burchall) is the Audio Animals primary mastering studio and is the studio we always recommend selecting. This studio has one of the world’s best mastering chains installed, costing upwards of £150,000. A truly unique mastering chain with some highly sought after mastering equipment.

    Studio B (Paul Ashmore) is the Audio Animals primary mixing and mastering / Dolby Atmos studio. This state of the art studio has a 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos PMC system installed. The mastering chain installed in Studio B costs upwards of £65,000 and has been carefully selected to gain the best possible results from each unit in the chain.

    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
    + Dolby Atmos Mix & Master

    By adding + Dolby Atmos Mix & Master to your mixing order, you will receive back the Dolby Atmos master which is mixed in both Dolby Atmos and stereo. The Dolby Atmos ADM master can be released alongside your stereo master.

    Dolby Atmos mixing and mastering is performed in Studio B, our primary Dolby Atmos 9.1.4 PMC mastering studio by Paul Ashmore. Dolby Atmos mixing and mastering is a process that allows us to mix your song in a 3D space and transform it into a fully immersive 3D masterpiece that can be released on streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Amazon and Tidal.

    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
    + Additional Mixes

    By adding + Additional Mixes to your order, you will receive back the mixes for any of the following additional file types in stereo.

    • 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)

    All additional mixes and masters are mixed and mastered in the exact same session as the original mix.

    + Mixed Stems

    By adding + Mixed Stems to your order, you will receive back all stems as they are mixed in the session. Mixed stems will include all mixed buses as well as any reverb and delay sends. Playback of the mixed stems will playback as the finished stereo mix does. Mixed stems can be used for remix purposes and further production.

    + Apple Digital Master

    By adding + Apple Digital Master to your order, you will receive back both the stereo master as well as the Hi Res 96k Apple Digital Master. This master can then be released on Apple Music as an official Hi Res Apple Digital Master that is optimised specifically for Apple Music and plays back at high resolution 96k. All Apple Digital Masters receive a badge and are marketed as an official Hi Res Apple Digital Master on Apple Music.

    + Vinyl Master

    By adding + Vinyl Master to your order, you will receive back an additional version of your master optimised ready to be pressed to vinyl.

    + Additional Stereo Masters

    By adding + Additional Stereo Masters to your order, you will receive back all additional mixes provided 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)
    + Mixed Stems Mastered

    By adding + Mixed Stems Mastered to your order, you will receive back all mixed stems 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.

    + Additional Dolby Atmos Masters

    By adding + Additional Dolby Atmos Masters to your order, you will receive back any of the following additional mixes mastered in Dolby Atmos.

    • Instrumental
    • Radio Edit (additional stems must be supplied)
    • Extended Edit (additional stems must be supplied)

    WHAT IS ONLINE MIXING?

    Online mixing in the hands of a skilled engineer will elevate your music to a level you never thought was possible. With the aid of knowledge and a state of the art Dolby Atmos 9.1.4 mixing studio we are able to achieve a mix that sounds spacious, clean and overall pleasing to the ear. Each stem in your song is carefully processed and positioned perfectly within the mix and optimised ready for mastering. No matter where you live, online mixing and mastering has never been easier to outsource to a professional mixing engineer.

    SPEAKERS / MONITORS
    4x PMC Ci30
    4x PMC Ci65
    5x PMC Ci140
    2x PMC Ci140 Sub

    CONSOLE
    4 Foot Avid S4
    2x Avid S4 Fader Modules
    Avid S4 Master Module

    AMPS / CONVERTERS
    Avid MTRX Studio (TB)
    Burl B2 Bomber ADC
    Burl B2 Bomber DAC
    Trinnov MC-Pro Dante 16
    Martin Logan MDA16
    Martin Logan MDA8
    Flock Audio Patch

    EQ’S
    Hendy Amps Michelangelo XL
    Goly 4 Band Dynamic EQ
    Goly Porter Grinder EQ
    AudioTales Designs 1951 ME EQ
    AudioTales Designs 1954 EQ
    Cranborne Audio HE2 EQ
    SPL PQ
    Buzz REQ 2.2

    COMPRESSORS
    Hum Audio LAAL
    SPL Iron
    Elysia Nvelope

    OTHER PROCESSING
    Rupert Neve MBT
    Analog Design Black Box HG-2
    SPL Gemini

    BEFORE & AFTER MIXING & MASTERING DEMOS

    Mixing & Mastering in the hands of a skilled engineer can transform your music to the next level. This couldn’t be anymore obvious when listening to the before and after audio demos below. You will notice a warmth and glow that makes your music highly pleasing to the ear that subconsciously makes the listener sit up and take notice. You have only got to ask yourself how am I perceiving the before and after examples? Can you notice the added detail and presence the mixing & mastering has added? Can you hear the added depth and 3D image that has been achieved?

    • Original – Clients original mix unmastered and level matched to the master
    • Binaural Stereo Mix – Stereo mix positioned in Dolby Atmos and rendered into binaural stereo, showing the difference between the exact same mix played back in stereo and binaural stereo

    Stereo VS Binaural Stereo 1

    Stereo VS Binaural Stereo 2

    Stereo VS Binaural Stereo 3

    • Original – Clients original mix unmastered and level matched to the master
    • Mix & Master – Audio Animals mixing and mastering applied using processed stems, showing the difference mixing in Dolby Atmos has made through binaural stereo playback

    Acoustic

    Country

    Drum & Bass

    Electro

    Film Score

    Garage

    Hip Hop

    House

    Metal

    Orchestral

    Pop

    Trance

    WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY ABOUT US

    What sets Audio Animals apart from other companies is that we understand our clients and their needs. We understand you want revisions included in the service. We understand you want a fast reliable turn around. We understand you want to only pay for the service you require and not be charged for add-ons you do not need. We understand our clients, which gives us the ability to provide a service that is designed with them in mind.

    Rob Knowles

    “Really happy with both the service and finished product. After one round of mixes we sent feedback to Paul, he really paid attention to our notes and the second round came back perfect. Communication throughout was excellent, and most importantly he really know what he is doing.”

    MC

    “After being stuck into that never ending mixing my own music with headphones, I decided to let a mixing and mastering engineer do something with my tracks, and I’m glad I did. The results are AMAZING. Paul knew exactly what was needed. I’ll definitely continue to use your services. Thank you so much!”

    13ATMO

    “Hundreds of thousands of listeners like my home-mixed tracks, but when I handed them to Paul and received studio quality back, I realised that I finally got what I could not achieve at home, such detail and quality of space, depth, volume, all this was impossible to do by myself. Thank you Paul for your magic sound.”

    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.”

    Midlo

    “I used Audio Animals to mix and master my latest single after seeing a lot of their content online. I was not disappointed, the final mix and master was exactly what I was after, and the communications were clear and timely. Will definitely used their services again. Thanks guys.”

    Ards

    “Really impressed with the service from Audio Animals. First time using a professional mix/master engineer but they guided me through the process, gave some useful advice and turned the track around very quickly. Communication was really clear too.”


    MIXING FAQ

    What Is The Turnaround?

    The initial mix (mix 1) will be returned to you within the time frame selected when placing your order. Turnaround time is based on days the engineer works between Monday to Friday. If you have a specific day you need your mix or master back for, please let us know when placing your order.

    • 1 Working Day (mix 1 returned next working day)
    • 2-5 Working Days (mix 1 returned within 2-5 working days)
    • 5+ Working Days (returned after 5 working days)
    What Is The Difference Between Stem Mixing & Multitrack mixing?

    Stem mixing is the mixing of your processed stems. By definition a stem is a processed stereo audio recording sourced from the finished song. Stems are not RAW and must always include the processing applied to the track in your session. Playback of your stems should playback the finished production and playback exactly as your reference / rough mix does. Stems must include all processing that is active in your DAW except for any master bus processing. Stems can be broken down into individual stems such as kick, snare and hi-hat. Or can be sent as a complete drum stem. Providing more stems gives us more flexibility to mix each individual sound in the mix.

    Multitrack mixing is the mixing of your RAW audio recordings. By definition multitrack audio recordings do not include any processing and are 100% RAW files that need to be mixed from the ground up. RAW audio recordings can be mono or stereo and include as much or as little processing you wish to apply.

    What Is Mixing?

    Audio mixing is the process of combining and adjusting multiple audio stems together to create a balanced and cohesive mix. Various individual audio elements such as vocals, instruments, drums, and ambient sounds are blended together in a way that they complement each other and create a pleasing sonic experience for the listener. The goal of mixing is to achieve clarity, depth, and balance within the audio, ensuring that each element can be heard clearly and that they interact harmoniously.

    Audio mixing involves several important tasks:

    • Level Balancing: Adjusting the volume levels of different audio elements to ensure that none of them overpower or get lost in the mix. This helps create a clear and even sound.
    • Panning: Placing audio elements in the stereo field to create a sense of space and direction. Panning determines whether a sound appears to be coming from the left, right, center, or somewhere in between.
    • Equalization (EQ): Using equalization to shape the frequency balance of each audio element. EQ is used to enhance or reduce specific frequencies to make elements sound clearer, warmer, or more distinct.
    • Dynamics Processing: Applying tools like compression and limiting to control the dynamic range of audio elements. Compression helps balance the difference between loud and quiet parts, while limiting prevents audio from exceeding a certain loudness level.
    • Effects: Adding various audio effects such as reverb, delay and others to create depth, ambiance, and texture within the mix.

    The ultimate goal of audio mixing is to translate the artistic vision of the content creator into a polished and engaging audio experience for the audience. A skilled audio engineer will use their technical knowledge and creative instincts to shape the mix and bring out the best in each element, resulting in a final mix that sounds professional and emotionally impactful.

    What Is Mastering?

    Once your mix is confirmed as complete and ready for mastering, we will move on to the mastering process. The primary goal of audio mastering is to prepare the mixed audio for distribution by ensuring that it sounds its best across a wide range of playback systems and platforms. 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.

    What Is Dolby Atmos Mastering?

    By adding + Dolby Atmos Mix & Master to your mixing order, we will deliver back to you the Dolby Atmos ADM master and binaural mix and surround sound re-renders. This ADM file can then be used to distribute your music in Dolby Atmos on streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Tidal and Amazon Music.

    Dolby Atmos mastering is a process that allows us to take the finished mix and transform it into a Dolby Atmos master. Working in our 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos mastering studio 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 Are The Benefits Of Releasing A Dolby Atmos ADM Master?

    There are a few major benefits of releasing a Dolby Atmos master.

    • Superior Sound when compared to a standard stereo master. A Dolby Atmos master can achieve a sound that has more space, depth and is overall more true to life and pleasing to the ear.
    • More Royalties from streaming platforms. You will earn a better percentage of royalties from streaming platforms when release a Dolby Atmos master.
    • Online Algorithms will favour songs that are released in Dolby Atmos as well as stereo, especially Apple Music that say that the preferred format is Dolby Atmos/Spatial Audio.
    • Future Proofed with Dolby Atmos. Dolby Atmos is going to eventually replace stereo on all streaming platforms. By releasing your music now in Dolby Atmos ensures you are future proofed and ready for the inevitable switch.
    • Better Chance Of Being Playlisted. By releasing a Dolby Atmos master you will have a far better chance of being playlisted on certain platforms. Being playlisted can make or break a release.
    What Is An Additional Mix?

    By adding + Additional Mixes to your order, you will receive back the mixes for any of the following additional file types in stereo.

    • 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 Are Mixed Stems?

    By adding + Mixed Stems to your order, you will receive back all stems as they are mixed in the session. Mixed stems will included all mixed buses as well as any reverb and delay sends. Playback of the mixed stems will playback as the finished stereo mix does. Mixed stems can be used for remix purposes and further production.

    When Do I Pay For Mixing?

    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 mix and master.

    What Is A Stem?

    A stem should not be confused with a multitrack audio file. An audio stem refers to an individual isolated track or element that is part of a larger mix. Stems are created by splitting a full mix into its constituent parts, allowing for greater control over the individual elements during mixing. Stems are never sent RAW without processing and always include the plugin processing that is active on the channel.

    How Should I Send Stems?

    Your stems can be uploaded safely and securely via our upload form in your account here. Bypass all processing you may have on your master bus. All sound design processing must be left active on each stem. Do not normalize stems or change their volume. Playback of your stems should be exactly as your rough mix or finished production plays back. We recommend loading your stems into a new DAW session and referencing against your finished stereo mix to ensure playback of your stems is correct.

    • File Type: Wav
    • Bitrate: 16/24/32bit
    • Sample Rate: 44,1kHz – 96kHz
    • Headroom: -3db / -6db
    How Should I Send Multitracks?

    Your multitrack audio recordings can be uploaded safely and securely via our upload form in your account here. Bypass all processing you may have on your master bus. Multitrack audio recordings are sent RAW with as little or no processing active on them, giving us the flexibility to create the mix from the ground up.

    • File Type: Wav
    • Bitrate: 16/24/32bit
    • Sample Rate: 44,1kHz – 96kHz
    • Headroom: -3db / -6db
    How Many Mix Revisions Can I Make?

    All mixing packages include 3 revisions. Mix 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 3 revisions, you can always purchase more via our revisions and re-runs page here.

    Should I Send A Rough Mix I Have Done?

    100% yes, this is essential when working with an online mix engineer. The rough mix or demo mix will be used to establish that the stems you have sent playback correctly as well as include all automation and necessary processing. The rough mix is also used to correctly establish the balance you intend for each stem to be in the mix. By listening to the rough mix we can establish at what volume you intend a certain sound to be and where you intend it to be positioned in the mix.

    What Is The Difference Between Dolby Atmos & Apple Spatial Audio?

    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.

    How Do I Distribute A Dolby Atmos ADM?

    The Dolby Atmos ADM and stereo master can be given to your desired distributor to release on platforms such as Apple Music, Tidal and Amazon Music. The Dolby Atmos and stereo masters sit alongside each other and depending on which format the listener has their device set to will determine which version they will hear. It is highly important that the Dolby Atmos and stereo versions perfectly sync with each other. If they do not sync perfectly your masters will be rejected.

    Do I Need Both A Stereo And Dolby Atmos Master?

    Yes, if you are distributing Dolby Atmos you will also need to distribute a stereo master. The two files play alongside each other and need to play in sync with each other too. The reason for this is that on streaming platforms you will be able to switch between the two formats on the fly and by doing so switches from stereo to Dolby Atmos instantly. If in sync your files simply switch from one to the other seamlessly.

    What Happens If I Accidentally Send The Wrong Stems For Mixing?

    Get in contact with us via email and we can simply replace the files. Please be sure to get in contact with us ASAP to ensure we have the correct files to mix before work commences. If work has already started on your mix and the entire mix requires new stems, charges will apply.

    What Genres Of Music Can You Mix?

    A good mix engineer will be able to work with all genres of music not just one. At Audio Animals we pride ourselves on the fact that we work with all genres of music from every corner of the globe. Being an online mixing and mastering studio working worldwide there is not a genre of music we have not worked with.

    What Will I Receive Back?

    Stereo mixes are returned in the following formats, if you require any others, please let us know: 

    • 96kHz 24bit wav

    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

    Dolby Atmos masters are returned in the following formats:

    • 48kHz 24bit ADM
    • 96kHz 24bit ADM
    • 96kHz 24bit binaural mix
    • 96kHz 24bit re-renders
    • 768kbs mp4
    Should I Leave Plugins Active?

    For stem mixing you must leave all plugins active. Playback of your stems must playback identical to your finished production and include all sound design and processing.

    For multitrack mixing you can remove any plugins and send RAW audio recordings.

    Should I Leave Panning Active?

    For stem mixing you must leave all panning active. Playback of your stems must playback identical to your finished production and include all sound design and processing.

    For multitrack mixing you can remove any panning and send RAW audio recordings.

    Should I Leave Automation Active?

    For stem mixing you must leave all automation active. Playback of your stems must playback identical to your finished production and include all sound design and processing.

    For multitrack mixing you can remove any automation and send RAW audio recordings.

    Should I Leave Reverb Active?

    For stem mixing you can leave reverb active. If your reverb is the reverb you want printed to the song or it is used in a creative way that is part of the sound design of the song, then you must leave it active. We will add reverb and it is better for us to apply reverb at the correct volume for the mix.

    For multitrack mixing you can remove any reverb and send RAW audio recordings.

    Should I Leave Delay Active?

    For stem mixing 100% yes. Delay is something that can have a million different outcomes. If you have added delay that is specific to your taste and how you want delay to sound, this delay would be considered as part of your production. To remove this delay would be to remove an essential part of your sound. We always recommend leaving delay active if you want it in your track. We will not add delay as standard as this is a creative effect that is specific to the production and not necessarily the mix. If delay is required from a mix perspective we will by all means add it how we see fit to get the best results.

    For multitrack mixing you can remove any delays and send RAW audio recordings.

    Can I send Raw Vocal Recordings?

    For stem mixing you can not send RAW vocal recordings. Vocals should be organised and comped ready to be mixed. Unwanted clicks, pops and breathes should be removed. All vocals should be tuned and ready to be mixed. You should never send a raw unedited vocal recording for stem mixing.

    For multitrack mixing you can send RAW vocal recordings.

    Can You Tune Vocals?

    No all vocal tuning must be performed before mixing. If you require vocal tuning please contact us to discuss a price as an additional service.

    © 2012-2024 Audio Animals Ltd. Registered in England and Wales. Company No: 08244563