Mastering

Enhance the emotional impact of your music!

Mastering in 4 easy steps

1.Contact

Write or call me to schedule your project. When is the master due? When will I receive the files? Get a FREE mix evaluation prior mastering

2.Upload

Read the guidelines or watch the video on the FAQ page.
Upload your files through any desired file transfer service.

3.Listen

Download the master. Listen on different sound sources and evaluate your master. Dance if you feel like it.

4.Smile

Revisions until satisfaction.
Upon approval of the final master, please pay the invoice with bank transfer or PayPal

What clients say

Lovely experience working with Mikkel - fantastic result and a great process - He was really understanding the mixes we came with. Both for digital and vinyl release. Varibeat Mastering has my warmest recommendation.
Kajsa ValaSinger/Songwriter
Kajsa Vala
Varibeat and Mikkel was recommended to me by a colleague, and I am very pleased with both the result and the co-operation! Working with Mikkel is both efficient and pleasant. He replies to messages quickly, is clear in his communication and most importantly does a very good job with the music. My debut single got great reviews and I look forward to working more with Varibeat in the future!
Emma RaunioSinger/Producer
Emma Raunio
Mikkel is my favourite mastering magician. He always makes the extra effort to understand the song, and somehow he makes the mixes sound more musically inspired in the end.
Tore NissenProducer/Mixer/Recording Engineer
Tore Nissen
Mastering with Varibeat took our songs to the next level. Mikkel’s attention to detail and excellent communication helped highlight each song’s dynamic nuance while creating a cohesive sonic landscape for the digital and vinyl release of our ep. I highly recommended his services for all mastering considerations. -Jesse Johnson, Blame Baby
Jesse JohnsonBlame Baby
Jesse Johnson
The master sounds amazing. Just what we were looking for! Honestly, I haven't been surprised by a mastered mix this much in a long time. The vocal sounds great and the low end is steady and full but clear at the same time. Very good job!
Eetu SeppäläMixing engineer, Producer at Suomenlinnan Studio
Eetu Seppälä
Mastering is the last instrument in the proces and Mikkel plays it with both highly professional skills and a warm personal presence. Ambitious, precise and immersed. I feel safe in this often complex and technical part of the production. He is versatile and listens without boundaries to any musical genre. I need a human to master my music and to work with Mikkel feels like a collaboration.
Per BlochSInger/Songwriter/Artist
Per Bloch
Mikkel has mastered two of our albums and we are pleased and absolutely satisfied with his work.His ears are on point and we happily recommend Mikkel to anyone, who wishes their music qualitatively mastered.
Northern Assembly
Northern Assembly
I've hired Mikkel as Mastering Engineer a couple of times with great results. He is one of those people in the music industry who has a flair for quality and he has a great feel for the process and the musicians he is working with. I'll recommend him anytime.
Thomas Banke Brenneche SInger/Songwriter/Composer
Thomas Banke Brenneche
The first time in several years where I sent a pop song for mastering after a good mix and thought "Wow, what happened right there". Extremely satisfied 👌🏻
Jakob WredstrømA&R - Nordic Music NMS
Jakob Wredstrøm
Our project had come to a disappointing halt by a bad mastering job done elsewhere. Luckily in a few sessions of skilful mixing and mastering, Mikkel was able to bring it back to life whilst working hard in a most empathic and friendly atmosphere.
Anders HonoréProducer/Musician
Anders Honoré
We in the band Pelican Beach have used Mikkel as a mastering engineer of two turns now and have each time been completely blown away over how awesome an end product we got. We have previously used other mastering engineers, but the outcome Mikkel deliver is just a level above. Of course, our third single will be mastered by Mikkel!
Pelican Beach
Pelican Beach
A pleasure to work with Mikkel. Fast and efficient communication. Can definitely be recommended
Dennis PedersenX Contract - Band
Dennis Pedersen

Prices

*DK Prices are including MOMS (VAT)

Stereo mastering

8 Songs+

Price pr. song
€86/$88/DK800
  • Until satisfied​
  • 2 year backup​
  • Max 7 min audio
best value

Stereo mastering

3-7 songs

Price pr. song
€88/$90/DK825
  • Until satisfied​​
  • 2 year backup​
  • Max 7 min audio

Stereo mastering

1-2 Songs

Price pr. song
€94/$96/DK875
  • Until satisfied​​
  • 2 year backup​
  • Max 7 min audio

Stem mastering

8 Songs+

Price pr. song
€209/$214/DK1950
  • Max 8 stereo STEMS
  • Free mix check
  • Until satisfied​
  • 2 year backup​
  • Max 7 min audio
best value

Stem mastering

3-7 songs

Price pr. song
€220/$225/DK2050
  • Max 8 stereo STEMS
  • Free mix check
  • Until satisfied​​
  • 2 year backup​
  • Max 7 min audio

Stem mastering

1-2 songs

Price pr. song
€230/$235/DK2150
  • Max 8 stereo STEMS
  • Free mix check
  • Until satisfied​​
  • 2 year backup​
  • Max 7 min audio

Stem mastering

1+ songs

Price pr. song
€123/$126DK1150
  • Max 2 stereo STEMS
  • Free mix check
  • Until satisfied​​
  • 2 year backup​
  • Max 7 min audio

Regarding higher stem counts or hybrid mastering (in between mix & mastering) please reach out for a quote.

On-site mastering

Why go to a mastering studio, when the mastering studio could come to you? As a result of cutting-edge room sampling techniques, this is now possible. I can bring along my rooms and speaker perceptions without any influence of your acoustic environment. I can stay in my comfort zone and more importantly you can stay in yours. Please reach out for a quote.

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Audio restoration

Old media formats can be revitalised and enhanced with modern technology and above all with full respect for the original recordings. Depending on the quality of the recording and the condition of the medium, different sorts of noise reduction and restoration will be possible. Please reach out for a quote

Guidelines for preparing and delivering files for mastering

Please read this or watch the video below before delivering files for mastering.

Filetypes

For the best possible result of the mastering you should try to deliver as high-quality files as possible. preferably wav or aiff  files which are both uncompressed audio file types. If possible please avoid sending compressed audio files Such as MP3 or AAC Or other MPEG Formants But if that’s all you got and your original recording was in that format then I will work with that anyway.

Sample rates

Regarding sample rates I can work with any sample rate up to 192 kHz but you should always keep the original sample rate of your production all the way from recording to mastering. So please do not apply up or down sampling before mastering. In other words if you recorded in 16 bits  at 44.1 kHz then you should stay in that resolution and you should deliver the pre-masters in that same resolution. And if you recorded in 32 bits at 192 kHz then you should deliver your files in that resolution, makes sense right?

DIthering

Please do not apply dithering since dithering and noise shaping is only necessary when you change bit depth. If necessary I will be doing some dithering or noise shaping at the end of the mastering chain if we are going from a higher resolution to a lower resolution such as from 32 bits to 16 bits for instance.

Reference and pre-master

Now let’s talk references and how to get the best possible result of the mastering. It makes my job a lot easier If you provide two mixes. One mix as a reference to what you have been listening to with all plug-ins or hardware and such included on the master bus. 

Feel free to apply heads and tail durations or fades to this file,  especially if you have specific wishes. This gives me a guideline and a reference file to what you’ve actually been listening to before mastering.

Regarding The other file, the pre-master

Please bypass any limiters, loudness maximizers and width enhancers on the master bus.Avoid by all means digital clipping and try to keep a maximum peak level around -3 or -4 dB to leave headroom for mastering. 

Masterbus compression

Please do only apply master bus compression if it’s a colouring or character choice.Please do not apply master bus compression to achieve loudness or hotter levels.

Preparation for file delivery

Heads and tails

Before bouncing your pre-master please be aware to capture the first milliseconds at the beginning and all the reverb and delay tails at the end of the track.

Normalisation

By all means do not normalise the pre-master file, but please listen to the file before delivery and make sure that it sounds correct, especially if you do off-line bouncing.

Naming and sequencing

If you’re sending more than one song and they’re supposed to relate to each other in a sequence, please name the files accordingly:

Position number in the sequence_song or track name.

Like this:
01_Lovesong

This makes it much easier for me to get the sequence right from the  start.

External references

Another thing I use a lot is what I call external references. This can be any piece of music that so to speak exist in the real world.
Music that you really like and feel acquainted with. Preferably in the same genre as your music, to work as a reference tool.
This type of reference can be very helpful, since it provides, what I call an open window to the real world and gives me insight to what you adore soundwise.
Please send me the external reference as well, preferably as a file, but a link is also fine.

 

Delivery

Compress or zip the folder including the reference mix, the pre-master mix and the external references. Upload the file to me either through my Wetransfer channel or any other service you prefer.

 

What is the master for?

One last important thing. Please let me know from the get go which medium or platform the master should be used for.

Alternative versions

If you need alternative versions like a radio edit or an instrumental or a capella version.
 

Confused?

If you have any questions what so ever regarding this information overload, please do not hesitate to write or call me

Guidelines for preparing and delivering files for stem mastering

Please read this or watch the video below before delivering files for stem mastering.

Stem mastering

Is a very useful technic kinda in between mix and mastering and works out great if you’re not totally happy with the overall mix. Stem mastering gives me a lot of more options to tweak the different parts of the mix, which would not be possible with just a stereo file.

Splitting up the stems

How you split up the stems all depends on the program material. But be aware, not to put colliding elements in the same stem. Like bass and drums together or lead and background vocals together. Otherwise it later on makes it impossible to do a sing-back version without the lead vocals for instance. Maybe you have a very important keyboard or guitar part. That part should not be bounced together with other elements playing at the same time.

How many stems?

My fixed price for a Stem master Includes a maximum of eight stereo Stems. 
So if you feel the need to go beyond that I will label it a hybrid master or a small mix with mastering which has another price tag.

I also offer a small stem master with only two stems, if you just wanna spilt the mix into vocals and instruments, this still gives more options than just the mix file.

Check your stems 

After bouncing the stems please drag them into a new arrangement and cross reference with your mix. Is everything in its right place and does it sound as expected? If not you need to go back and fix those issues.
 

Filetypes :

For the best possible result of the mastering you should try to deliver as high-quality files as possible. preferably wav or aiff  files which are both uncompressed audio file types. If possible please avoid sending compressed audio files Such as MP3 or AAC Or other MPEG Formants But if that’s all you got and your original recording was in that format then I will work with that anyway.

Sample rates :

Now regarding sample rates I can work with any sample rate Up to 192 kHz but you should always keep the original sample rate of your production all the way from recording to mastering. So please do not apply up or down sampling before Mastering. In other words if you recorded in 16 bits  at 44.1 kHz then you will stay in that resolution and you will deliver the pre-masters in that same resolution. And if you recorded in 32 bits at 192 kHz then you should deliver your files in that resolution, makes sense?

DIthering :
 

Please do not apply dithering since dithering and noise shaping Is only necessary when you Change bit depth. If necessary I will be doing Some dithering or noise shaping at the end of the mastering chain if we are going from a higher resolution to a lower resolution such as from 32 bits to 16 bits For instance.

 

Reference and pre-master: 

Reference file

Now let’s talk references and how to get the best possible result of the mastering. It makes my job a lot easier If you provide two mixes. One mix as a reference to what you have been listening to with all plug-ins or hardware and such included on the master bus. Feel free to apply heads and tail durations or fades to this file. Especially if you have specific wishes. This gives me a guideline and a reference to what you’ve actually been listening to before mastering.
 

Pre-master file

Regarding The other file, the pre-master, please bypass any limiters, loudness maximizers and with enhancers on the master bus. 
Avoid by all means digital clipping and try to keep a maximum peak level around -3 or 4 dB to leave headroom for mastering.
 Please do only apply master bus compression if it’s a colouring or character choice.
Please do not apply master bus compression to achieve loudness or hotter levels.
 

External references

Another thing I use a lot is what I call external references. This can be any piece of music that so to speak exist in the real world.
Music that you really like and feel acquainted with. Preferably in the same genre as your music, to work as a reference tool.

An open window to the world

This type of reference can be very helpful, since it provides, what I call an open window to the real world and gives me insight to what you adore soundwise.
Please send me the external reference as well, preferably as a file, but a link is also fine.
 

Sorting the sequence

If you’re sending more than one song please sort them in folders labeled with the sequence Number and track title. Then name the stems by what they contain For example drums, bass, guitars And so on.
Compress or zip that folder and send it to me either through my Wetransfer channel or any other service you prefer.
 

What is the master for?

One last important thing. Please let me know from the get go which medium or platform the master should be used for and if you need alternative versions like a radio edit or an instrumental or a capella version.
 

Confused?

If you have any questions what so ever regarding this information overload, please do not hesitate to write or call me.
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