HOW TO PLACE YOUR ORDER
How It Works
- Select Your Service: Choose the studio service you require, whether it’s mixing, mastering, or both.
- Stem Count: 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 in your account 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 initial mix or 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. Once you’re satisfied with the final result, your order will be marked as complete.
Service
Under the Service tab you can select the service you require depending on your needs.
- Dolby Atmos Mastering involves mastering the mixed stems or Dolby Atmos ADM mix of your finished song, providing you with an ADM file that is fully optimized and ready for release on streaming platforms like Apple Music, Amazon, and Tidal. This process ensures a fully immersive audio experience for your listeners.
- Dolby Atmos Stem Mixing is the process of mixing your processed stems within a 3D audio space, preparing them for the mastering stage. This ensures each stem is precisely positioned and balanced, delivering an immersive mix that is ready for final mastering.
- Dolby Atmos Multitrack Mixing is the process of mixing your song’s raw audio files within a 3D audio space. This service carefully blends and processes each track, delivering a fully immersive mix ready for mastering.
Processed Stem / RAW Multitrack File Count
Under the Service tab you can choose between stem mixing or multitrack mixing, depending on the file format in which you plan to deliver your song for mixing.
- Stem Mixing involves the mixing of your processed stems, which are defined as stereo audio recordings derived from your finished song. Unlike raw tracks, stems must include all processing applied in your session, ensuring that their playback mirrors your final production and matches your reference or rough mix. Each stem should encompass all active processing within your DAW, except for any master bus processing. You can provide individual stems such as kick, snare, and hi-hat etc, or submit a complete drum stem. The more stems you provide, the greater flexibility we have to mix each sound effectively.
- Multitrack Mixing involves working with your raw audio recordings, which are defined as unprocessed files that require mixing from the ground up. These RAW audio recordings can be either mono or stereo, and they may include varying degrees of processing based on your preferences. The goal of multitrack mixing is to create a polished final product by combining and balancing each element of your recording.
Mastering Engineer
Under the Mastering Engineer tab, you can select the engineer and studio where you want your music mastered.
- Nick Burchall (Studio A) is the lead mastering engineer for Studio A, equipped with a £130,000 mastering chain. The results achieved with this unique setup offer exceptional warmth, clarity, and an unparalleled sound quality that puts this studio in a league of its own.
- Paul Ashmore (Studio B) is the lead mastering engineer for Studio B, featuring a state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos 9.1.4 system and a stereo analogue mastering chain worth over £70,000. Studio B is built to perfection and ranks among the industry’s top Dolby Atmos and stereo mastering facilities.
Turnaround
Under the Turnaround tab you can select when your mix or master is 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 mix or master, please inform us when placing your order, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
+ Stereo Master
By adding the + Stereo Master option to your order, you’ll receive a professionally mastered stereo version, crafted in the mastering studio of your choice. Our analogue mastering process enhances the listening experience, delivering a master that is not only pleasing to the ear but also rich in depth and three-dimensional space.
- Nick Burchall (Studio A) is the lead mastering engineer for Studio A, equipped with a £130,000 mastering chain. The results achieved with this unique setup offer exceptional warmth, clarity, and an unparalleled sound quality that puts this studio in a league of its own.
- Paul Ashmore (Studio B) is the lead mastering engineer for Studio B, featuring a state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos 9.1.4 system and a stereo analogue mastering chain worth over £70,000. Studio B is built to perfection and ranks among the industry’s top Dolby Atmos and stereo mastering facilities.
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
+ Vocal Production
By adding + Vocal Production to your order, you can submit your RAW vocal recordings without any creative processing. Our mixing team will handle all the artistic enhancements, transforming your dry vocal tracks into professionally polished masterpieces.
+ 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)
+ Mixed Stems
By adding + Mixed Stems to your order, you’ll receive all stems as they were mixed in the session. These mixed stems will include all bus mixes, along with any reverb and delay sends, ensuring playback matches the finished stereo mix. Mixed stems can be utilised for remixing and further production.
+ Apple Digital 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.
+ Vinyl Master
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.
+ Additional Stereo Masters
By adding + Additional Stereo Masters to your order, you will receive all additional mixes you provide, mastered through the same mastering chain as your original mix. This ensures consistency across all versions of your song.
- 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 all mixed 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.
+ Mastered Stems
By adding + Mastered Stems to your order, you will receive back all processed 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.
+ Additional Dolby Atmos Masters
By adding + Additional Dolby Atmos Masters to your order, you will receive any of the following additional mixes, mastered in Dolby Atmos. This ensures all versions of your song maintain the same immersive 3D sound quality.
- Instrumental
- Radio Edit (additional stems must be supplied)
- Extended Edit (additional stems must be supplied)
WHAT IS DOLBY ATMOS?
Dolby Atmos is an advanced audio technology that revolutionises sound experiences in entertainment media like movies, TV shows, video games, and music. Developed by Dolby Laboratories, it adds height to the traditional surround sound setup.
In a conventional setup, sound is played through speakers around the listener for a surround sound effect. Dolby Atmos takes it further with overhead speakers or movable sound objects, creating a 3D audio environment.
It’s key feature is the object-based audio system, treating sounds as separate entities. Mix engineers can precisely position and move sounds in 3D space, making the experience immersive and realistic. Viewers feel inside the scene with sound from all directions, creating a captivating experience.
Dolby Atmos is supported by various devices, including home theatre systems, soundbars, headphones, and mobile devices. Movie theatres have also upgraded their audio systems, bringing sound to life like never before.
In summary, Dolby Atmos is an innovative audio technology that redefines modern entertainment sound experiences.
SPEAKERS / MONITORS
4x PMC Ci30
4x PMC Ci65
5x PMC Ci140
2x PMC Ci140 Sub
Tantrum Audio Angry Box
OTHER PROCESSING
2x McDSP APB 16
McDSP APB 8
AMPS / CONVERTERS
Avid MTRX Studio (TB)
Burl B2 Bomber ADC
Burl B2 Bomber DAC
Ferrofish Pulse 16 DX
Trinnov MC-Pro Dante 16
Martin Logan MDA16
Martin Logan MDA8
Rupert Neve RNHP
Flock Audio Patch
CONSOLE
Avid S4 Console
COMPRESSORS
Hum Audio LAAL
Wes Audio NG Bus Comp
Wes Audio Rhea
Wes Audio Dione
2x Wes Audio Mimas
Bettermaker Mastering Compressor
Bettermaker Bus Compressor
Bettermaker Limiter V2
|Hum Audio LAAL
EQ’S
Hendy Amps Michelangelo XL
Wes Audio NG Tube EQ
2x Wes Audio Hyperion
2x Wes Audio Prometheus
Bettermaker Mastering EQ
Bettermaker VSPE
Cranborne Audio Carnaby HE2
Cranborne Audio Carnaby HE2 Legacy
BEFORE & AFTER DOLBY ATMOS DEMOS
Dolby Atmos Mixing & Mastering, when performed by a skilled engineer, can elevate your music to an entirely new level. The difference is unmistakable when you listen to the before and after audio demos below. You’ll experience a warmth and glow that make your music more pleasing to the ear, naturally drawing the listener’s attention. Ask yourself, how do you perceive the before and after examples? Can you notice the enhanced detail and presence that Dolby Atmos has introduced? Can you hear the increased depth and the immersive 3D soundstage that has been achieved?
- Original – Stereo mix created without any Dolby Atmos processing applied.
- Binaural Mix – Stereo mix positioned in Dolby Atmos and rendered into binaural audio, illustrating the distinct differences between the same mix played back in both stereo and binaural formats.
Stereo VS Binaural Stereo 1
Stereo VS Binaural Stereo 2
Stereo VS Binaural Stereo 3
- Original – Clients original mix level matched to the master.
- Mix & Master – Audio Animals mixing applied, showcasing the difference mixing has made compared to the original stereo mix.
Acoustic
Country
Drum & Bass
Electro
Film Score
Garage
Hip Hop
House
Metal
Orchestral
Pop
Trance
- Original – Clients original mix level matched to the master.
- Dolby Atmos Master – Audio Animals Dolby Atmos mastering applied using processed stems, showing the difference mastering in Dolby Atmos has made using binaural playback.
Alt Rock
Chilled
Film Score
Lofi
Orchestral
Punjabi
Pop 1
Pop 2
Pop 3
Rap
R’n’B
Rock
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.
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.”
DOLBY ATMOS FAQ
Dolby Atmos Mastering FAQ
What Studio Should I Select – Studio A or Studio B?
Whilst both Dolby Atmos mastering studios will produce an exceptional master. Studio B is thought of as our primary Dolby Atmos studio that is equipped with a state of the art Dolby Atmos 9.1.4 PMC System. One of the best sounding Dolby Atmos rooms the music industry has to offer.
Nick Burchall is the mastering engineer for Studio A which is equipped with a 7.1.4 Ex Machina Dolby Atmos system. This studio has one of the world’s best stereo mastering chains installed, costing upwards of £150,000. A truly unique mastering chain with some highly sought after mastering equipment.
Paul Ashmore is the mastering engineer for Studio B which is equipped with a PMC Ci Series 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos system. The stereo 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.
What Is The Turnaround?
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 (mix 1 returned next working day)
- 2-5 Working Days (mix 1 returned within 2-5 working days)
- 5+ Working Days (mix 1 returned within 5 or more working days)
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 Stereo Mastering?
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.
Can You Dolby Atmos Master A Stereo Mix Or Do I need Stems?
We can perform a Dolby Atmos master from a stereo mix that is certified as a Dolby Atmos master. However the results will be far better if we use your mixed stems. A more immersive and true to life sound can be created. A stereo mix limits us to using unique techniques to up-mix the stereo file into Dolby Atmos.
Can You Turn My Mixed Song Stems Into A Dolby Atmos Master?
Yes, this is a very common practice of Dolby Atmos mastering. We can take your stereo mixed stems and position them into a 3D space. Creating a fully immersive and inspiring Dolby Atmos master. It doesn’t matter if your song is already released in stereo. You can submit your songs mixed stems and stereo master to be matched and delivered back to you ready to release as a Dolby Atmos ADM on streaming platforms.
Does My Song Have To Be Mixed In Dolby Atmos To Be Mastered In Dolby Atmos?
No, your song can be mixed in stereo and then positioned in Dolby Atmos. Your mix balance and processing is kept the same but with the added benefit of positioning each stem into a 3D space in Dolby Atmos.
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 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 An Additional Dolby Atoms Master?
By adding + Additional Dolby Atmos Master to your order, you will receive back any of the following mixes mastered in Dolby Atmos.
- Instrumental
- Radio Edit (additional stems must be supplied)
- Extended Edit (additional stems must be supplied)
What Is An Additional Stereo Master?
By adding + Additional Stereo Master 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)
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?
Dolby Atmos 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 £20. This small charge covers the engineers time to reprint the Dolby Atmos master.
What If I Have Accidentally Sent The Wrong Stems For Mastering?
If work has not yet begun on your song, you can simply get in touch with us and replace the files.
If work has already begun on your song and you need to replace the stems. 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 £20 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 stems play back correctly and the files you are sending is the mix you intend to be mastered.
How Should I Send Stems For Dolby Atmos Mastering?
Your stems can be uploaded safely and securely via our upload form here. Bypass all processing you may have on your master bus. For Dolby Atmos mastering it is very important that the stems playback 100% identical to the finished stereo mix. Please bear in mind that no mixing or volume adjustments are made to each individual stem. 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 finished stereo mix 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
Should I Send My Finished Stereo Mix Or Master?
If you are only ordering Dolby Atmos mastering you will need to supply your stereo master. It is important that we sync the timeline of the Dolby Atmos master to the stereo master. This ensures playback on streaming platforms can switch between stereo and Dolby Atmos seamlessly.
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?
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 work with before work commences. If work has already started on your Dolby Atmos mastering and the entire song requires new stems, charges will apply.
What Genres Of Music Can You Work With In Dolby Atmos?
A good Dolby Atmos 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 Dolby Atmos mixing and mastering studio working worldwide there is not a genre of music we have not worked with.
All music works well mastered in Dolby Atmos. Some better than others. The more stems you are able to provide the more immersive and spacious your Dolby Atmos master will sound.
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
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
Should I Leave My Plugins Active?
Yes for Dolby Atmos mastering all plugins must be left active. The playback of stems should be identical to the finished stereo mix and include all plugins and automation. 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.
Should I Leave Panning Active?
For Dolby Atmos mastering all panning must be active and playback of your stems must playback identically to the finished stereo mix. 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.
Should I Leave Automation Active?
100% yes, automation should always be active. Automation is part of your mix and if removed results in an unfinished mix. All automation including volume, modulation, EQ, reverb or delay automation must be kept active. 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.
Should I Leave Reverb Active?
For Dolby Atmos mastering reverb must be printed to the stems or delivered as a 100% wet stem. It is important that playback of the stems plays back 100% identically to the finished stereo mix.
Should I Leave Delay Active?
For Dolby Atmos mastering delay must be printed to the stems or delivered as a 100% wet stem. It is important that playback of the stems plays back 100% identically to the finished stereo mix.
Dolby Atmos 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 (mix 1 returned within 5 or more 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 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 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.
