FAQ Rates Mastering
All rates include staffing and engineering fees
Mastering rates at The Wave Lab, NYC are divided into different categories based upon how you wish us to physically process your masters and whether or not you wish to attend the mastering session(s).
We offer two different methods or 'class' categories of processing your masters that have distinct pros & cons to them. They are each briefly described in their rate cards, listed below.
Attended sessions always take longer to complete because clients generally interrupt the flow of things by asking questions and/or there's a lot of "up & down" or "in & out" behavior because they're bored. For these reasons we request that you do not attend the mastering session(s) and we offer steep discounts as an incentive for you to stay away!
If needed, we can also prepare your masters for analog distribution formats (vinyl record pressing or analog tape duplication) for a small additional fee, listed below.
If you have questions about what is specifically involved in each process or about anything else, please feel free to contact us at any time.
"In-The-Box" Software Mastering
This is the most popular method of processing the master files because it's the most efficient, fastest, easiest and least expensive way to complete the job. Everything is done digitally in the computer with software and recall is 100% accurate if updates are required later.
Non-Attended "In-The-Box" Mastering Sessions:
"Singles" (one song): $125.00
2-14 songs: $75/song
15+ songs: $70/song
All "non-attended" rates include ONE update if something needs to be adjusted or corrected. Any additional updates will be charged $65/hr.
Attended Sessions:
"Singles" (one song): $150.00
2-14 songs: $125/song
15+ songs: $100/song
All updates will be charged $65/hr for the correction time.
Hybrid Hardware & Software Mastering
Most people feel this method offers improved sound quality compared to all "in-the-box" software processing. It's a bit more expensive because the equipment used is more expensive and it's much more time consuming to complete the job as all printing of the processed masters must be done in "real time". Recall is 100% accurate if updates are required later.
Non-Attended "Hybrid" Mastering
Sessions:
"Singles" (one song): $150.00
2-14 songs: $100/song
15+ songs: $90/song
All "non-attended" rates include ONE update if something needs to be adjusted or corrected. Any additional updates will be charged $65/hr.
Attended Sessions:
"Singles" (one song): $175.00
2-14 songs: $150/song
15+ songs: $125/song
All updates will be charged $65/hr for the correction time.
Masters For Analog Distribution Formats:
Preparing Masters for Analog Distribution (vinyl and/or tape) is an additional $25/song (w/ a $250 cap)
_____________________
All masters will be delivered to you in fully encoded, distribution ready WAV, FLAC, MP3 and AAC file formats.
DDP Images are available upon request at no additional charge.
All rates include staffing and engineering fees. Please contact the studio if you have questions.
All Rates Are Subject To Change