Stem mastering · more control
Stem mastering.
Mastering from a handful of grouped tracks rather than one stereo file. It sits between mastering and mixing: more control than a stereo master, and far less than a full mix.
When it's worth it
Choose stems when the problem lives inside the mix and a stereo master can't reach it.
- The low end. The kick and the bass need a different balance, or the bass needs controlling without touching the kick.
- The vocal. It sits too far back or too far forward, and turning the whole track up or down won't fix it.
- One element is too loud or too harsh, like a snare, a lead or the hats.
- You mixed it yourself and want a second pair of ears without handing over the whole mix.
If the mix is right and you only want it finished, a stereo master is enough, and it costs less.
Stems or a stereo mix?
| Stereo master | Stem master | |
|---|---|---|
| What you send | One stereo WAV | Four to eight grouped stems, plus your stereo mix |
| What it can change | The whole track at once: tone, dynamics, width, loudness | All of that, plus the balance between the groups |
| Best for | A mix you're happy with | A mix with one or two problems inside it, often the low end or the vocal |
| Price | A$150 a track | A$220 a track |
How to export your stems
- Four to eight stems is usual. For example: drums, bass, music (keys, synths, guitars), vocals and effects.
- Every stem starts at the same point and runs the same length, so they line up exactly.
- Effects stay on, as they are in your mix. Reverb sends go on their own stem or with the part they belong to.
- Nothing on the master bus. No limiter, and no clipper.
- 24-bit WAV at the session's sample rate, with peaks below 0 dBFS when the stems play together.
- Include your stereo mix as well, so we hear what you intended.
Stem mastering or mixing?
Stem mastering adjusts the balance between a few groups. Mixing builds the track from every individual part. If more than one or two things need fixing, mixing is the better job. How mixing works.
Prices
A$220 a track. EP and album rates apply. A$ prices include GST. All prices.