Frequently Asked Questions

What do you need from me to begin mixing or mastering my music?
For mixing, please send clean and clearly labeled stems or a Pro Tools session, along with your rough mix and one to three reference tracks that match your creative direction. Wet and dry vocals are helpful if you printed effects during tracking. If you have the BPM and key, include those too.

For mastering, we ask for a final 24-bit 48 kHz WAV file, ideally without limiting or heavy compression on the master bus. We will also provide an export checklist to ensure your files arrive correct the first time.

What type of mixing do you offer: digital, analog, or hybrid?
We offer all three based on your sonic goals.

Digital mixing creates a clean, modern sound with efficient workflow.
Analog mixing adds warmth, saturation, punch, and musical character with high-end hardware.
Hybrid mixing combines the best of both worlds and is our most popular approach for commercial releases.

If you are unsure which direction fits your style, we help you choose based on your references.

How long does mixing and mastering take, and what does the review process look like?
Mixing typically takes three to five business days depending on track count, vocal tuning, and editing needs.
Mastering typically takes forty-eight to seventy-two hours after the final mix is approved.

Review process:

1. Mix review sent for your notes

2. Updated mix delivered for approval

3. Mastering begins after mix approval

4. Master review provided for final approval and delivery

We keep scheduling aligned with your release deadlines and communicate every milestone clearly.

Can you mix and master music recorded somewhere else?
Yes. We work with artists who record at home, in other commercial studios, or remotely worldwide.

We elevate clarity, balance, and tone even when the original recording is imperfect. If we notice anything that may impact the final quality such as room echo, noise, or clipping, we let you know immediately and offer solutions.

Do you offer bundle pricing for mixing and mastering together?
Yes. Bundle pricing offers better value and stronger results.

Benefits include:
• More consistent sound
• Lower cost than purchasing separately
• Faster workflow with fewer revisions
• One engineer overseeing every stage of the process

This is the preferred approach for most professional releases.

How does mixing and mastering tie into production and recording at Playback The Valley?
We offer support from idea to release including songwriting, production, recording, mixing, and mastering.

This ensures your vision stays consistent, eliminates technical hand-offs, and saves money through bundled service options. Whether your project is a single, EP, or full album, our integrated workflow keeps everything aligned for a polished, release-ready master.