What is mastering?

Mastering is often the final step in creating a song after it’s been mixed. It seeks to achieve tonal balance and enhanced dynamics to present the best version to your listeners. This is done by optimizing your EQ so that the right pieces of your track stand out, balancing the stereo sound so your track feels full across left-to-right channels, and restoring your audio so that unwanted artifacts from the recording process don’t stand out.

What audio formats do you accept for mastering?

SoundCloud accepts WAV (16 and 24-bit), FLAC, AIFF, and MP3 for mastering. For the highest fidelity masters, it is recommended to upload in a lossless format. Currently, .AIFF files uploaded directly from software like Garageband or Logic Pro are not supported. Exporting your tracks in another format, such as .WAV, should work fine.

What audio format do you export the master in?

Mastered files are delivered in the same format that you provided to us. For example, if you upload a 16-bit WAV file, your master will be delivered in 16-bit WAV format. Uploading in a lossless format like WAV, FLAC, or AIFF is recommended for the best quality.

How do you determine which part of my track to use when previewing the master?

You have control over which part of the track is used for the mastering preview. Before sending the track for processing, you select a 30-second preview for us to use. If you want to hear how the mastering styles apply across different parts of the song, you can go back to step 1, select a different part of the song, and try again.

How many mastering styles can I choose from?

Currently, there are four mastering styles available. Each style is designed to enhance different types of tracks, and the mastering engine has been trained on over 1 million hours of tracks across various genres, instruments, and recording techniques.

What is the Intensity parameter?

The Intensity parameter allows you to control the level of processing applied to your track. A value of 0 provides a loudness-optimized version with no changes in dynamics, while a value of 100 applies the full range of recommended improvements over the original.

Can I master a DJ set or podcast?

No, Mastering on SoundCloud currently does not support DJ sets or podcasts. The service is limited to tracks under 10 minutes in length.

Can I master a track I already have on SoundCloud?

Yes, you can master any track that you’ve uploaded to SoundCloud. The mastered version will replace the original as the primary playable track, but both the original and the mastered versions will be available for download.

Will my master's be published publicly on my SoundCloud account?

The public status of a track is not determined by the mastering process. If you upload a private track, it will remain private after mastering. If you upload a public track, it will remain public.

Can I re-master a track?

Currently, you cannot master a track again directly. However, you can upload a new version of the track, master it, and then replace the previously mastered file with the new one.

What happens to my original file after mastering it?

The mastered file will replace the original uploaded file, but your pre-mastered file will still be available for download on SoundCloud. You can download both versions using the "download original files" button on your track editing page if you are on a Artist Pro plan.

How much does mastering a track cost?

The cost to master a track is 4.99 USD per master or the equivalent in your local currency. Artist Pro subscribers receive 3 free masters each month and can purchase additional masters at a discounted rate.

Do my free masters carry over to new months?

No, the 3 free masters provided each month do not carry over to the next month. If you do not use them, they will expire, and you will receive 3 new credits in the following month.

When do I receive my new free master each month

You receive your 3 monthly free credits based on your billing date. For annual subscribers, this is based on the original date of signup.

Is a .wav file more expensive than a .mp3 file?

No, the price for mastering is the same regardless of the file type.

Can I master files in bulk?

Currently, mastering is limited to one track at a time. After mastering one track, you can click "Master another" to start the process again.

Can I master tracks I don't own the copyright to?

No, like all uploads on SoundCloud, you must be the copyright owner to mitigate any chance of your content being recognized by our content ID system and taken down on behalf of the rights holder.

Can I master tracks that include samples of copyrighted material?

No, if infringing content is recognized in the track, mastering will be disabled for that track.

I'm not happy with my mastered file, can I get a refund?

The mastering service is non-refundable.

Will SoundCloud play my track at the level it's mastered?

No, between September and November 2019, we tested this functionality, but it is not currently in use. We are working on improvements and may reintroduce this feature in the future.

Additional Tips:

• Ensure your track is fully ready before mastering, as re-mastering isn’t directly supported.
• Remember to use your free masters each month, as they do not carry over.
• Keep your original files in a lossless format for the best mastering results.