What is Mastering?

Mastering uses effects such as compression, limiting, and equalization plus others to enhance the OVERALL sound of your music. Your music will be comparable in presence and volume to commercially released recordings after it has been mastered.

How does it work?

1. After confirmation of payment, you will receive notification of upload instructions from ums.tunecore@umusic.com within two business days.  Please be sure to check your Spam folder just in case. There is no login necessary to UMS. If you are using Internet Explorer, you have to go into your Cookies and allow the UMS website for viewing. Copy and paste the URL you get after clicking Submit or Upload audio on the bottom of the page. Or, we suggest you use a different web browser like Firefox where no login is necessary.
2. Please be sure to upload your audio files according to the following format: WAV or AIFF files, either 16 bit/44.1 kHz sample rate or 24 bit/48 kHz sample rate. These files must be the final mix of the song with NO peak-limiter (e.g. normalizer, finalizer - L2, L3). Other effects like EQ, compression are okay to leave on the mix buss. Be sure to keep the overall level to about -3dBfs. So for each song, you will upload 1 audio file. We cannot accept MP3s due to their low quality.
   
3. The engineers will do what they feel is musically best for your project. If you have any special mastering instructions for the engineer, please upload an additional text file when you are uploading your audio files.
4. If your audio files are OK in format, you will then receive an email with final mastered audio content from UMS in 14 business days from the day you uploaded. It will have “WAM!NET Package” in the subject line and will be sent to address you provided when you uploaded your music.

About Universal Mastering Studios (UMS)

UMS is a full-service professional mastering facility, part of Universal Music Group, with studios in Los Angeles and Monterey, Mexico. Their staff of world-class engineers has worked with some of the industry's top recording artists and producers over the last 30 years using cutting-edge technology.

UMS’ commitment to the highest quality of audio services is what distinguishes UMS from other facilities in the industry and their expert staff will assist you throughout mastering process.

Select no. of songs to be mastered:

No. of songs to be mastered (LENGTH OF 1 SONG MUST NOT EXCEED 4:30)	1 Song(75.00) 2 Songs(150.00) 3 Songs(225.00) 4 Songs(300.00) 5 Songs(375.00) 6 Songs(450.00) 7 Songs(525.00) 8 Songs(600.00) 9 Songs(675.00) 10 Songs(750.00) 11 Songs(825.00) 12 Songs(900.00) 13 Songs(975.00) 14 Songs(1,050.00) 15 Songs(1,125.00) 16 Songs(1,200.00) 17 Songs(1,275.00) 18 Songs(1,350.00) 19 Songs(1,425.00) 20 Songs(1,500.00)
Expedite my order for $300 (4 business days turnaround) This is done as a separate purchase from # of songs you order	+$300 (Expediting Fee)

NOTE: WHEN YOU PAY ABOVE USING PAYPAL, YOU CAN USE YOUR PAYPAL ACCOUNT OR A CREDIT/DEBIT CARD IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A PAYPAL ACCOUNT.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the turnaround time for mastering? From the day you upload your audio files, it will take 14 BUSINESS DAYS for your mastered track(s) to be returned to you via email. If you need the songs mastered sooner, you must pay the additional rush fee (above).

Can I pick my engineer? Yes, however that is not a part of the UMS/TuneCore internet mastering service. If you would like to pick your engineer, you must schedule an attended studio session with the engineer and rates start at $400 per hour (depending on the engineer).

Are UMS engineers really going to master my music or will it be done by “presets?" One of the skilled engineers at UMS will master your music, with the same attention to detail as any other client they have worked with. This is not preset mastering and individual attention is given to each and every song.

I just paid but no one has contacted me, what should I do? Don’t fret, UMS will send upload instructions to paid customers within two business days.

I uploaded my audio files and haven’t heard anything, what should I do? Please make sure you entered your contact information and the same email you made the PayPal  or Google Checkout transaction with in the field “Job ID”. If you don’t enter your contact information in the “Job ID” we can’t send you your finished product. If you did enter your contact info then don’t worry, we will email you a link to upload your mastered audio in 14 BUSINESS DAYS.

Can you send me my mastered audio files with embedded metadata? No metadata is embedded into the mastered audio files that are emailed back to you from UMS. Metadata cannot be burned into a .wav, or .aif, file. So, the only way to receive your mastered audio files with embedded metadata is to request a PMCD, which costs $25. Please note that a PMCD cannot be made of an EP/Full Length album that is mastered in parts at separate upload dates ( i.e. a 5 song PMCD cannot be made if you upload 3 songs at one date and the remaining 2 songs at a later date). After you've paid for mastering and want to order a PMCD, you can write to mastering@tunecore.com to request one.

Once I receive my mastered music back from Universal, can I ask for a revision? The engineers master your music with the utmost quality. If you still want a revision after receiving your mastered music, there is a $25 fee per song on revisions. Please contact mastering@tunecore.com and we will send you a manual invoice to pay for the revision.

How do I contact you? Please send any questions to mastering@tunecore.com