We prefer all audio for mastering to be 24-bit. We may still accept 16-bit, though it is not as favourable.

There’s 144dB of dynamic range in a 24-bit audio file, so there’s no need to get the signal as hot as possible. Leave that for mastering.

The sample rate needs to be at least 44.1kHz. We are fine with files up to 96kHz. Just make sure that every track you deliver has the same sample rate.

If you have a particular track you’d like us to use as a reference point, please send us that too.   It can really help to ensure you get the sonic feeling you want. 

(make sure its CD quality i.e. 44.1kHz 16-bit).

Please make sure you are totally happy with your mix before sending it to be mastered! You will be charged for any changes.

Because the mastering is done with boutique outboard gear, if we need to make any extra changes for you past 1 reasonable change (e.g. bass level, dynamic), it is quite time consuming. The settings for each piece of gear in the signal chain need to be reset, so even for the slightest changes after the first we have to charge for the time taken.

All files are to be given to us on data CD or DVD with each track clearly named. We can also download projects from an FTP if desired (e.g. www.yousendit.com/ www.mediafire.com).

Summary:

-    No compression or limiting applied to bounce.

-    Leave headroom. Don’t hit digital 0dbFS

-    .wav, .aiff or SDII files

1. -           Same sample rate for all tracks (44.1kHz up to 96 kHz)
   

2. -           24 bit please (we can work with 16 bit if needed)
   

3. -          Label everything clearly!
   

Click to open KOG DROPBOX

(The dropbox is password protected. Please call 09 817 5322 or email stuff @ kog . co . nz to obtain a password.)

MASTERING DELIVERABLES

When you bounce your tracks for mastering, PLEASE DO NOT apply any compression or limiting to the output.

This severely inhibits the mastering process and affects our ability to give you good results.

For safety you should allow headroom of at least 4 dB, i.e. your highest peak will be minus 4dB.

NEVER hit 0dB! 

The audio files can be .wav, .aiff, or SDII. We prefer the files to be a stereo bounce, but if you want to bring in stems for final tweaks we can also work with that.

If you have any questions feel free to have your engineer to call us, we are happy to help out and advise.

"Chris at Kog has now mastered three albums for me, one for Pistol Youth and two for Steriogram including our new single 'Moving On' which is currently doing really well in New Zealand. These days with complete confidence I share the secret of Chris Chetland and his great mastering with all my producer friends worldwide, because i know i can trust the quality of his work his ears, and because he consistently delivers at such a high international standard" 

Bradley Hanan Carter (Steriogram, Pistol Youth)

Mastering is the final stage in production of your track before it goes out to the world and it is vitally important that your music sounds as full, lush and loud as anything it is being played against.

Think of mastering for your track like the difference before one of those ‘before and after’ make up photo shoots. Here at Kog we have an extensive collection of the worlds finest quality  analog and digital equipment to ensure that your music realizes its potential.

Our mastering engineer Chris Chetland has over 14 years mastering experience and a horde of gold and platinum releases to his name as well as has mastered music for musicians all round the world in virtually every style you would care to name.

At Kog we can master your music to tape on the legendary ATR-100!

Rated as the best 2 track tape machine of all time, our unit is fully reconditioned like new.

We use either ATR Master Tape or Quantegy GP9 Grand Master Platinum tape depending on what suits your track best to ensure maximum depth of sound.   Our ATR-100 is also fitted with Dolby SR model 363 (2 stereo channels) for noise reduction allowing the feel of the tape to shine through without an unwanted level of hiss.

ANALOG: We have the best range of dedicated Valve and Solid State analog mastering equipment in the country.   Check out the GEAR LIST for more info.

DIGITAL: We also have a selection of digital plugins available such as the UAD Precision range, Focusrite Liquidmix, Waves and a range of forensic and de-noising software options if required.

Our primary monitoring is courtesy of Dynaudio as well as Genelec as a secondary option.