Mastering engineer in Berlin
Mastering is the last technical check before a track meets a room, a stream, or a lathe. It's about level, clarity, and making sure the track translates on every system it actually gets played on, whether that's a club rig, a phone speaker, or headphones on the train.
The details
What's included
Every master comes with one included revision. You send me a finished stereo mix, or stems if the mix still needs balancing at this stage. I master to the right loudness and tonal balance for where the track is actually going, streaming platforms, club systems, or a vinyl cut, since those aren't the same target. You get final files in whatever format you need, WAV for release, DDP if a plant needs it.
Audio mastering services
- Stereo mastering for singles, from your finished mix.
- Album and EP mastering, with level, tone and flow matched across the whole record.
- Stem mastering when the balance isn't fully locked yet.
- Mastering for vinyl, delivered to your cutting engineer or pressing plant.
- Club masters for DJs, next to the streaming master when a track needs both.
- DDP for CD on request.
Digital mastering
For streaming and digital release, I master to hit the loudness and dynamics that actually work on Spotify, Apple Music, and club systems, without squashing the track flat just to hit a number. A loud master that falls apart on a big system isn't a good master.
Vinyl mastering
Vinyl is a different job. The format won't tolerate excessive low end width or harsh high frequency sibilance near the inner groove the way a digital master can get away with, so I prepare it specifically for the cut: mono compatible low end, de essing where the format demands it, and checking against reference pressings where I can.
A mastering studio in Berlin Kreuzberg
I master at Ambertone Studios, my own studio at Forsterstraße 5 in Berlin Kreuzberg. I work in the studio or remotely, and most mastering sessions run remotely for artists across Germany, the US and the rest of the world: you send the mix, I send back the master to check on your own speakers.
Where I trained
I trained under Julia Borelli and work as part of the Julia Borelli Studios team at Riverside Studios in Berlin. Julia is a FabFilter featured mixing and mastering engineer and a member of the Recording Academy.
Genres
I master techno, house, and melodic house and techno, with work connected to Afterlife, Anyma, Adriatique, Ben Böhmer, Kölsch, Mind Against, Richie Hawtin, Royksopp, Rüfüs Du Sol, Solomun, Stephan Bodzin, and Tale Of Us. I also master pop and hip hop, with credits including Bibi Bourelly, Steel Banglez and Sidhu Moose Wala. More on techno and house mastering, stem mastering and mastering for vinyl.
How mastering works
- Send your mix. The final stereo mix as WAV or AIFF, 24 bit, with some headroom, plus a reference track or two and where the release is going.
- First master. You get a master to check on your own systems: monitors, headphones, car, phone.
- Revision. Your notes, ideally with timestamps, go into one revision round.
- Delivery. Release ready files for streaming, plus vinyl, club or CD versions if you need them.
Mastering questions
Where is your mastering studio?
In Berlin. I master at Ambertone Studios, my own room in the city, and most audio mastering sessions run remotely: you send the mix, I send back the master and a reference to check on your own systems.
What's the difference between mixing and mastering?
Mixing balances the individual elements of a track against each other. Mastering is the final pass on the already finished stereo mix, making sure it translates across every system and sits at the right loudness for its release format.
What should I send for mastering?
The final stereo mix, as WAV or AIFF, 24 bit, with a bit of headroom rather than already limited to the ceiling.
Does my mix need to be fully finished first?
Yes, essentially. Mastering is a technical and translation pass, not a second mix. Send it over if you're not sure, and I'll tell you honestly.
How much does mastering cost in Berlin?
Every project is quoted individually, depending on the number of tracks, whether you need stem mastering, and the formats you need, such as vinyl or club versions. Send me a link to your track and your release date and you'll get a clear quote. More on audio mastering pricing in Berlin.
How long does mastering take?
It depends on the format and how many tracks there are. You get a clear timeline with your quote, before anything starts.
How many revisions are included?
One. Mastering is a more targeted pass than mixing, so a single, well specified round is usually enough.
What is stem mastering, and do I need it?
It works from a few grouped elements, drums, bass, lead, instead of one stereo file, giving more control if the balance isn't fully locked. Most releases don't need it.
Do you master for vinyl?
Yes. I prepare masters specifically for vinyl and deliver them to your cutting engineer or pressing plant. I don't cut lacquers myself. More on mastering for vinyl.