Mastering is often treated like a technical afterthought — something you do once the mix is “finished.” In reality, what you send a mastering engineer has a huge impact on how effective that final stage can be.

A well-prepared master doesn’t just sound better — it gets finished faster, requires fewer revisions, and translates more reliably across every playback system.

Here’s exactly what a mastering engineer needs from you, and why each part matters.

 
Preparing a Mix for Mastering
 

Start With the Final Mix — Not a Work in Progress

This sounds obvious, but it’s the most common issue mastering engineers encounter.

Before sending anything, make sure:

  • All arrangement decisions are final
  • Vocal comps are approved
  • Timing and tuning are locked
  • Automation is complete
  • No creative changes are still pending

Mastering is about refinement and translation — not fixing unresolved mix decisions. Any change after mastering usually means starting again.

 

Export a Clean Stereo File

In most cases, your mastering engineer will want a single stereo mix, not stems.

Best practice:

  • Export at the original session sample rate
  • Use 24-bit or 32-bit floating point
  • Leave headroom (peaks around 3-6 dBFS is ideal, but so long as it does not clip above 0dBFS it is workable)
  • Disable limiters, maximisers, and loudness plugins on the master bus

Mastering engineers need room to work. Over-limited mixes restrict dynamics and reduce options.

For a clear overview of export settings and headroom, Sound On Sound explains this well:

CM Sounds: Preparing Mixes for Mastering

 

Include a Reference Track (Or Two)

Reference tracks are incredibly helpful — when used correctly.

Good references communicate:

  • Overall tonal balance
  • Low-end weight
  • Vocal level relative to the track
  • Density and energy
  • Genre expectations

They are not meant to be copied. They provide context.

One or two references is plenty. Too many can dilute direction.

 

Tell Them Where the Track Is Going

Mastering choices change depending on the destination.

Let your mastering engineer know:

  • Is this for streaming only?
  • Vinyl?
  • CD?
  • Broadcast?
  • A demo for labels?
  • An EP or album release?

Each format has different technical requirements, and knowing the end goal ensures the master is appropriate — not just loud.

For a breakdown of how streaming platforms (which is different from a traditional CD Master) handle loudness, this reference is helpful:

Spotify: Loudness Normalization

 

Provide Notes — But Keep Them Clear

You don’t need technical language.

Helpful notes might include:

  • “The vocal still feels slightly sharp on small speakers”
  • “I want to keep this dynamic — not overly loud”
  • “The low end should feel controlled, not heavy”
  • “This needs to sit next to other tracks on an EP”

Specific listening feedback is far more useful than general comments like “make it sound better.”

 

If It’s an EP or Album, Send Everything Together

Context matters.

When mastering multiple tracks, engineers listen to:

  • Flow
  • Relative loudness
  • Tonal consistency
  • Energy progression

Sending tracks individually removes that context. Albums mastered as a group always feel more cohesive.

 

What Not to Send

Avoid sending:

  • Files clipped or distorted on export
  • Mixes with heavy bus limiting
  • MP3s or streaming rips
  • Half-finished mixes “just to check”
  • Multiple alternate versions without explanation

Clarity saves time — and money.

 

Why Preparation Makes a Real Difference

A prepared master allows the engineer to focus on:

  • Translation
  • Balance
  • Subtle enhancement
  • Consistency across systems

Instead of troubleshooting avoidable issues.

This is often the difference between a good master and a great one.

 

Final Thought

Mastering works best when it’s treated as a collaboration — not a rescue mission.

When you send a clear, final mix with context, references, and intent, you’re giving your mastering engineer the best possible starting point.

At Moreish Studios, we see mastering as the final quality-control stage — making sure great mixes translate confidently into the real world.

If you’re unsure whether your mix is ready for mastering, that conversation alone can save time and frustration later.

 

Learn more about our Mastering and Mixing services, or get in touch to talk through your project.