Stem Mastering Service — More Control, Better Results
When a stereo master isn’t enough, stem mastering gives your engineer the precision to shape the final sound at the element level — vocals, drums, bass, and instruments treated separately before the final master is printed.
🏆 Top 1% Globally for Mastering · ✅ Apple Digital Masters Certified · 🎵 A$AP Rocky · Kelly Clarkson · Travis Barker · ⭐ 100+ Five-Star Reviews
What Is Stem Mastering and When Do You Need It?
Stem mastering is an upgraded version of traditional stereo mastering. Instead of working with a single stereo bounce of your mix, your mastering engineer receives 2–5 grouped stem files — typically vocals, drums, bass, and instruments — and masters them with individual control before printing the final master.
This gives the mastering engineer a level of surgical control that stereo mastering simply can’t provide. Need the vocals to sit slightly louder in the final master without touching the mix? Need more punch from the kick without blowing up the high end? Stem mastering makes that possible.
It’s the middle ground between a full remix and traditional mastering — perfect for mixes that are 95% there but need a final push that a stereo master can’t deliver.
What’s Included in Stem Mastering
Every stem mastering session runs through the same analog chain used on major label releases.
Individual Stem Processing
Each stem — vocals, drums, bass, and instruments — gets its own EQ, compression, and treatment before being summed into the final master. No compromises across the whole mix.
Analog Mastering Chain
Your stems run through the same hardware used on platinum records — analog EQ, compression, and limiting that adds warmth and dimension a digital-only chain can’t replicate.
Loudness Optimization
Stem mastering delivers more competitive loudness than stereo mastering because we can control the dynamics of each element independently — your low end never has to compromise your high end.
Apple Digital Masters Certified
Every master we deliver meets Apple Digital Masters specifications — the highest quality standard for streaming. Your music sounds its best on Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, and everywhere else.
Multiple Format Delivery
You receive streaming-optimized WAV and MP3 files, a vinyl pre-master if needed, and a club-ready loud version — everything you need to release across every format.
Revision Rounds Included
Every stem mastering session includes 3 revision rounds. First-time clients get unlimited revisions completely free with code FIRSTMIX — your master is done when you say it’s done.
Stem Mastering vs. Stereo Mastering — Which Do You Need?
Both are professional services. The right choice depends on your mix and what you need the final master to do.
Choose Stereo Mastering If:
Your mix is fully balanced and you just need it louder, polished, and streaming-ready. Stereo mastering is the industry standard and handles the vast majority of releases perfectly.
You’re on a budget and the mix is solid. Stereo mastering at $70/song delivers a professional, commercially competitive result at the best value.
You’re mastering a large batch of songs for an album or EP. Stereo mastering scales better for volume projects.
Choose Stem Mastering If:
Your mix needs fine-tuning at the element level — the vocals need to cut more, the low end needs tightening, or the high end feels harsh but only in the instruments.
You’re releasing a major single or album where every decibel of competitive loudness matters and you want maximum control over the final sound.
You can’t go back to the mix — your mix engineer isn’t available, or the session files are gone, but something in the mix isn’t quite sitting right. Stem mastering can fix issues that stereo mastering can’t touch.
How Stem Mastering Works
Simple process, major upgrade in results.
1
Export Your Stems
Export 2–5 grouped stem files from your DAW — typically Vocals, Drums, Bass, and Instruments. All at the same length, same sample rate, with no limiting or master bus processing.
2
Upload & Brief Matty
Upload your stems and include any notes — reference tracks, what you want addressed, the vibe you’re going for. The more context, the better the result.
3
Stem Mastering Session
Matty processes each stem individually through the analog chain, then sums them into the final master with the overall EQ, compression, and limiting applied. Delivered in 2–4 business days.
4
Review & Revisions
You receive the master for review. Revisions turn around in 24–48 hours. First-time clients get unlimited revisions free with code FIRSTMIX.
What Artists Are Saying
★★★★★
“Another absolutely fantastic master by Matty. He’s incredibly supportive, understanding, and a real pleasure to work with. Looking forward to working on an another project again soon.”
-Partha S
★★★★★
“Provide just what I needed to complete my album. Mix was cleaner and more enjoyable to listen to than my rough.”
-Jim H
★★★★★
“Matty is very efficient and understood the brief without much direction. I definitely felt he was giving his best, cared, and gave my song his full attention. I would love to work with him again!
-KAILA C
Stem Mastering Pricing
Transparent pricing, no hidden fees.
Stem Mastering
2–5 stem files
$110
per song
✓ 2–5 track stem mastering
✓ Individual stem processing
✓ Analog EQ and compression
✓ Loudness maximization
✓ Apple Digital Masters delivery
✓ Multiple format delivery
✓ 3 revisions · 2–4 day turnaround
Stereo Mastering
Single stereo file
$70
per song
✓ Analog EQ and compression
✓ Stereo widening
✓ Loudness maximization
✓ Apple Digital Masters
✓ Multiple format delivery
✓ 3 revisions · 2–4 day turnaround
🎁 First-time clients: use code FIRSTMIX at checkout for unlimited revisions free. Album and EP discounts available — contact us for custom pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many stems do I need to send?
Anywhere from 2 to 5 stems. Most sessions use 4 groups: Vocals, Drums, Bass, and Instruments/Everything Else. If your song has distinct elements that need separate treatment — like a lead synth or strings — you can split those into their own stem. More stems means more control, but even 2–3 stems delivers a meaningful upgrade over stereo mastering.
Do I need to remove the master bus processing before exporting stems?
No. The only thing I ask is that you remove any limiters from your master bus before exporting and leave some headroom — aim for peaks around -3 to -6 dBFS. A little bus glue compression is totally fine, just no brick-wall limiting. And if you did have a limiter on, send a screenshot of the settings you were using.
What file format should my stems be?
WAV or AIFF at the same sample rate and bit depth you recorded the song at — 24-bit, 44.1kHz or higher. All stems should be the exact same length so they line up perfectly when summed. Export from the very beginning of the session, even if the first sound comes in later.
Is stem mastering worth it compared to stereo mastering?
For most songs, stereo mastering is all you need — especially if the mix is solid. Stem mastering is worth it when you need that extra level of precision, when you can’t go back to the mix, or when you’re releasing something where every detail counts. At $110 vs $70, the $40 difference buys you a significant upgrade in what’s achievable in the mastering room.
How long does stem mastering take?
Most stem mastering sessions are delivered within 2–4 business days. Revision rounds turn around in 24–48 hours. Need it faster? Our rush delivery add-on gets your master back in 48 hours.
Can I get stem mastering as part of a full mix and master package?
You wouldn’t need it — if Matty is mixing your song, he already has access to every individual track and masters it from that point. Stem mastering is really only relevant when a mix is being sent in from the outside. You’re already getting the most controlled, highest quality result by having both done together.
Ready to Get More From Your Master?
Upload your stems and get back a precision-mastered, release-ready track in 2–4 business days.
✓ First-time clients: Unlimited revisions FREE (use code FIRSTMIX at checkout)