Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do I need to provide you (submission info, file format, etc.)?
Formats accepted include: WAV, AIFF and SDII files, 16 to 32 bit, 44.1 to 192 khz.
We can work from data CDR’s, data DVDR’s, audio CD’s, USB memory sticks, external hard drives (USB, firewire 400/800) or any device with analog or S/PDIF outputs. Files can also be uploaded free of charge using www.yousendit.com or www.sendspace.com.
Label your files clearly and carefully. If you are submitting ISRC codes please double check that you are sending the correct information.
When submitting files please include the following:
Artist Name
Album Title
Song Title(s)
Track Order (If you have decided)
ISRC codes (optional)
Feel free include any other information you think would be helpful:
Is there a certain album that you admire and you would like to achieve a similar sound through the mastering process? Does you album have to be the loudest on the block or are you more comfortable preserving the dynamics? Is there a particular noise, pop or click in a song that you would like to try to remove? Etc.
2. Do you have any advice on preparing a mix for mastering?
24 bit files are always preferred over 16 bit files. Even if you are working with 16 bit source material it is recommended that you bounce your mixes to 24 bit if possible.
Do not up-sample or down-sample your current file format. For example, if you are working at 48khz please provide files at that same sample rate.
Avoid compression and limiting on the 2-bus (master fader) for the sake of making the mix louder. This processing can not be undone in mastering and gives the mastering engineer much less opportunity to work with the mixes. If you are using a compressor on the 2-bus as part of the aesthetics of a given mix that is fine as long as it it used sparingly. When in doubt submit two versions, one with 2-bus compression/limiting and one without.
It is a good idea to leave a sufficient amount of headroom in your mixes. Ideally, mixes being sent out for mastering should not peak higher than -3dBFS.
3. How long will it take you to master my album?
This of course depends on the specific workload of your album and studio scheduling. Typically upon receiving all the source files, mastered versions are ready to be sent back or uploaded for approval within 5 working days or less.
4. What is a production master CD and what is a reference CD?
A production master CD is a Red Book formatted audio compact disc. It contains unique pause or cross fade information between each track. For example; it might be best to have a 1.3 second pause between tracks 1 and 2 where as the the gap between tracks 2 and 3 requires a longer 2.4 second pause, perhaps track 6 needs to cross-fade into track 7, etc. This along with track order helps to create the “flow” of your album.
Production master CD’s are burned at optimum speed using a high quality burner onto high quality blank media. Any meta-data such as ISRC codes, CD Text or UPC codes can be embedded. A PQ sheet for the duplication plant is included.
A reference CD is essentially an exact copy of the production master CD. Creating the initial production master CD is a timely process but once assembled burning a copy for reference is rather simple. Pricing for reference CD’s reflect this.
5. What are ISRC codes?
ISRC codes are a 12 character long digital signature that allows for the tracking and management of songs in the digital domain. Many online music stores require them such as iTunes. In order for us to put ISRC codes on your CD you need to provide them to us before your master is finished. If you would like to include ISRC codes on your album it is free of charge.
To obtain ISRC codes in the USA contact the RIAA:
To obtain ISRC codes outside the USA contact the IFPI:
6. How do I get my album information to appear in iTunes or other digital media players?
To get your album information to appear in iTunes (or other digital media players) you need to upload the information to the CDDB (also referred to as the Gracenote database). The CDDB is a user-updated database. It is your responsibility to make sure that the correct information is provided.
The easiest way to go about this is to fill out all your album information in iTunes and then click the “Advance” pull down menu followed by “Submit CD Track Names.” Your albums info will then be uploaded to the CDDB database and anyone using iTunes, or a similar program that connects to the CDDB, will retrieve your album info upon inserting your CD into their computer.
For more information visit:
7. What is CD Text?
CD Text is often confused with the CDDB (Gracenote database). CD Text includes basic information about your album (artist, song name, album title, etc.). It is used by only a very small number of CD players. In general CD Text is for car and home stereos that have a LCD display and are CD Text enabled. CD Text is not used by computers or media players like iTunes. It is certainly not essential to include CD Text on your master. If you are not 100% certain how you would like your song titles to appear it is best to avoid encoding CD Text. If you would like to include CD Text on your album it is free of charge.
8. Do you master for vinyl?
We can provide you with a 24 bit vinyl premaster CD that you can take to any vinyl pressing plant and have pressed. A vinyl premaster CD is the same cost as a production master CD.
9. Can you make my album louder than a rocket launch?
We can but it is definitely not recommended. Over the last 20 years you have probably noticed CD’s have been getting progressively louder and louder. The problem with this is that CD’s (and all other digital audio formats) have a fixed volume capacity. A popular trend over the last two decades has been to use extreme amounts of compression and peak limiting in order to increase perceived loudness. By doing this, there is a huge sacrifice resulting in the loss of depth, dynamics and clarity. All of these downsides simply for the purpose of making an album slightly louder than the next person’s.
At Full Circle Mastering we like to walk the balanced path regarding the “loudness wars.” We will help you achieve both an optimal volume level while keeping dynamics and depth in tact so your music sounds great on all playback systems.
For more information on the topic of loudness please visit:
Spectrum – The Future of Music
10. Who designed your website and who did the photography?
Web design was done by Chris Karnes. Chris is a Philadelphia local and does great work. To contact Chris or view his portfolio please visit:
Photography was done by Wil Reiner, another Philadelphia local. To contact Wil or view his portfolio please visit: