Stem Mastering – Our Services & The Process:

Find all informations about our stem mastering services online, the process itself and the differences to stem mixing. Using stems gives the mastering engineer way more possibilities in order to correct mixing issues. For example we can correct the balancing, stereo width and low end problems much easier.

Stem or multi track optimization is a specialized audio mastering technique using multiple separate tracks for processing.

This differs to the single stereo mastering process where only one file of a song is used. This should not be mixed up with the stem mixing procedure where music is mixed down to separate subgroups by a mix engineer.

Our audio engineer use up to 8 stereo tracks of your recordings.

Typically a stem mix should include separated main and background vocals, drum and bass tracks and all other instruments of your mix.

During stem mastering & mixing we will be analog summing your music through our dangerous 2 bus along with analog outboard gear.

Using this technique creates more depth, punch, width and color similar to big vintage consoles such as Neve and SSL.

We can easily warm up cold digital mixes to give them an analog feeling and sought after sound. We keep compatibility for vinyl mastering in mind if required.

stem mastering

How to prepare your files for stem mastering?

To achieve the best results with our stem mastering services please follow these rules: You can easily apply our tips during your mixdown!

Export 8 Stereo wavs of your mixdown, stem mix that can be for example your vocal stem, bass, drums, guitars, synths, main instruments and samples.

Don’t use a compressor, limiter or maximizer on the master output when exporting the stems. Make sure your stems are not clipping and have a headroom around -3db.

Each stem mix should be delivered as 16 Bit or higher wav file in 44,1 kHz or higher. Create a folder for each song and name your tracks for example: drums, vocals, etc.

  • De-ess sibilance’s “S” on vocals.
  • Create a folder for each song containing your files.
  • Sample & bit rates from 16 Bit or higher 44,1 Khz or higher.
  • Bass can be a mono file.
dynamic processing

Our Online Services include:

  • Stem Mastering by professional audio engineer.
  • Usage of analog equipment.
  • Low and hi end correction.
  • Stem Mix reviews and consultation.
  • Warming up digital mixes.
  • CD Mastering Service for duplication.
  • Optimization for vinyl releases.

What are Stems in Music?

The term “stem” can be used along with stem mixes. A stem is a sub mix for instance: main and background vocals, drums, samples etc. Those are grouped together. A 24 track recording can be reduced down to 8 track sub mixes. Stems are often utilized by an audio or mix engineer but for different purposes.

A stem mix is used when working on a console to reduce the track size for limited channels. While stems can be utilized too to polish up mixes in a specialized studio.

Our masters are compatible to all digital outlets if required we can create special aac files for the mastered for iTunes section.