How to Master a Batch of Singles for a Label (and Keep Them Consistent)
Published · by Loopin
A label hears the catalogue back to back, so one loud single stands out. Pick a hero track, set one loudness target for the batch, and check every master in sequence.
Choose a hero track and lock the target
Pick the single that best represents the label’s sound and master it first. Note its feel and loudness, for example the default Loopin export at about −14 LUFS, and aim every other single at the same number.
Write the target on a sheet before track two. Consistency across a batch comes from the decision, not from the tool. It also saves you from the common trap of mastering the last track loudest because you were tired of listening.
Master one at a time; there is no batch mode
Loopin takes one stereo mixdown at a time, with no batch upload and no stems. For a batch of ten, expect ten uploads, ten previews and ten downloads. Mastering, previews and A/B are free and unlimited; master the first single free and judge the process.
Free downloads are capped at 1 per rolling 24 hours with no account and 2 with a free account, so ten singles would take days on the free tier. Loopin Mastering Unlimited is $10 a month or $59 a year; check the pricing page for your region.
Use the same feel unless the track needs another
A label sound is a feel choice. If most singles take Warm, keep Warm, and change feel only when a track is clearly different, such as a club record that wants Club (about −10 LUFS). Document every exception, with the reason, so the next person who opens the project does not undo it.
Avoid Punchy on some tracks and Cinematic on others by accident; the tone shifts between releases and the catalogue stops sounding like one label.
Check loudness spread across the batch
Load all finished masters on tracks in a DAW or a loudness tool and read integrated loudness for each. Keep the spread within about 1 LU. If one is 3 LU hotter, it will stand out in a playlist or on a mix CD.
If a track is outside the range, master it again with a different feel or send a quieter mix. See what is LUFS for the numbers to read.
Listen in sequence, not in isolation
Play the end of one single into the start of the next at one listening volume. You are looking for jumps in bass weight, vocal brightness and overall level, not perfection in any one track. Do this twice: once at a comfortable volume, once quietly, because quiet playback exposes bass and vocal jumps that loud playback hides.
Fix the odd one out at the mix, not the master. A thin mix will stay thin through any automatic master, and a loud mix with a harsh vocal will stay harsh, so send the notes back to whoever mixed it. For delivery, how labels expect a master to be delivered lists the formats and naming.
Know when a hero release needs a human
Automatic mastering is a fast first pass for a label’s demo round or A&R reference. It takes no creative direction. For the lead single, or if the label requires 24-bit, hand it to a mastering engineer; Loopin exports a 16-bit WAV.
Use the free run to find mix problems early, then run each fixed mix through free online mastering for a consistent set of references. Keep the originals and the masters in separate folders, named by track number, so a label contact can ask for “track 4 again” and you find the right pair in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep loudness consistent across singles?
Pick one target, such as the default about -14 LUFS, and keep every master within about 1 LU of it. Check integrated loudness on all of them in one session.
Can Loopin master a batch of songs at once?
No. It takes one stereo mixdown at a time, with no batch upload or stems.
How many free downloads do I get?
1 per rolling 24 hours with no account, 2 with a free account. Mastering and previews are unlimited.
Should every single use the same feel?
Generally yes, to keep the label sound. Change it only when a track clearly needs it and note the exception.
What if a label needs 24-bit files?
Loopin exports a 16-bit WAV, so a 24-bit requirement needs a different tool or a human engineer.
How big a loudness gap is too big?
About 1 LU is a sensible limit across a batch. Three LU or more is audible in a playlist.