You’ve finally completed the mixes of your debut record—congratulations! It’s an incredibly exciting moment. Now comes the crucial final step: mastering. Naturally, you want the best possible outcome for your music, and it’s tempting to think that sending your tracks off to a high-profile mastering studio in the USA will guarantee superior results. But is that really the best move? Let’s look into it.
Mastering music is a highly specialized craft, and thanks to today’s global connectivity, outstanding music mastering is more accessible than ever—no matter where you’re located. Choosing to do your mastering in Australia could not only save you money but also deliver equally professional results, provided you pick the right engineer. Let’s explore how mastering in Australia stacks up against going overseas and whether it’s the right choice for your next release.
One of the first things most artists consider is cost. Mastering music isn’t cheap, and the per-track price can vary greatly depending on where the engineer is located and how established they are.
In the United States, mastering per track can range anywhere from AUD $150 to $500 or more after conversion, particularly if you’re dealing with big-name engineers. Some of the most elite mastering studios charge even higher fees, which may also include additional services like stem mastering, revisions, or high-resolution formats.
In contrast, mastering in Australia typically ranges from AUD $70 to $250 per track. While there are also high-end engineers charging premium prices locally, many professional Australian mastering engineers offer exceptional value, with results that compete with international standards. A lot can come down to their studios location’s rent, gear expenses, credentials and a personal choice on how much they are happy to charge for their time.
So, the question becomes: what are you paying for with the extra cost? Is it brand recognition, reputation, or simply the illusion that “overseas means better”? Often, local mastering engineers provide a more direct, collaborative experience without sacrificing quality.
One important thing to understand about music mastering is that much of the magic lies in the ears and choices of the engineer—not just the gear. That said, mastering studios around the world often rely on a common set of trusted tools. Industry-standard gear including but not exclusive to the Manley Massive Passive EQ, to the beefy Shadow Hills Compressors or a more concise Tegeler Creme Mastering Compressor, Dangerous D-Box (Analogue to Digital Converter), and High Quality Monitoring are used by mastering engineers everywhere—from New York to Melbourne. To make sure those ears are hearing the right thing, a correctly treated acoustic space makes all the difference.
While each engineer may have their own unique combination of analogue and digital equipment that gives their work a particular “flavour,” there’s no specific country that holds exclusive rights to quality gear. Mastering engineers in Australia have access to the same high-end equipment as their counterparts overseas, and many spend years refining a setup that reflects their personal taste and technical strengths.
This global parity in technology means that the real differentiator isn’t geography—it’s expertise, listening skills, and artistic intuition.
One of the biggest challenges with mastering music is evaluating someone’s work. Unlike mixing, where you can easily hear a before-and-after transformation, mastering is subtler—and often, you don’t get to hear what the original mix sounded like before the master.
That makes it tricky to judge a mastering engineer purely by their portfolio. Instead, it’s important to listen closely to the overall feel of their work. Do the tracks sound fat and warm? Are they punchy without being harsh? Is there a sense of clarity and movement across the frequency spectrum?
These traits aren’t about nationality or education—they’re about individual taste, experience, and how well an engineer understands the emotional and sonic goals of your music.
No country, including the USA, has a monopoly on excellent mastering engineers. In fact, many talented engineers in Australia have honed their craft over decades, often mastering music across a wide range of genres and formats.
Given the often higher costs associated with sending your music overseas for music mastering, it’s worth asking: what are you really paying for? If you’re working with a Grammy-winning engineer with a long history of mastering platinum records, then perhaps that premium makes sense.
But for most independent artists, the additional fees can be hard to justify—especially when there are mastering studios in Australia that offer just as much skill, a faster turnaround, and a more personal approach.
At Moreish Studios, for example, we understand the importance of trust and transparency. That’s why we offer a sample master before full commitment. This gives artists a chance to hear exactly how their track will sound after mastering, without taking a financial leap of faith. It’s a practical, low-risk way to ensure you’re working with the right person—no matter where they’re located.
Mastering music is the final polish that brings your project to life. But where you get it done—whether it’s in the USA, the UK, or right here in Australia—matters less than who does it and how well they understand your vision.
When you consider the comparable equipment, competitive pricing, and world-class talent available locally, mastering in Australia is not only a good choice—it can be a great one. You’ll often get more personalized service, faster turnaround times, and the satisfaction of supporting homegrown audio professionals.
So before you rush to send your music overseas, take the time to explore your options in Australia. You might just find that the best choice is closer to home than you think.
