Start a Mastering Service as a Producer: Your First 30 Days
Published · by Loopin
You do not need a studio or a reputation to start; you need a narrow offer, ten before-and-afters and a delivery routine. Here is the 30-day order.
Days 1–3: sell one thing, in writing
Write a one-line offer: “Stereo mix in, loud and consistent master out, back in 48 hours, one revision.” Stereo mixdown only. If you cannot take stems, say so, because clients who send stems expect stem work.
Pick one genre you already make, beats, rap or lo-fi, and say it on the page. A narrow offer converts better than “all genres”, and you will hear problems faster in music you know.
Decide your capacity too. If you can finish four masters a day without rushing, promise 48 hours for batches of up to five and say so. Overpromising turnaround is the fastest way to lose a first client.
Days 4–10: build proof with ten A/Bs
Take ten of your own mixes, or friends’ with permission. Master each and export a short before/after of the loudest 20 seconds, level-matched so the louder one does not cheat. Run each one through the free masterer as your first pass, then trim by ear where a track needs it.
Post the ten on one page. Clients buy what they can hear, and a level-matched comparison is more convincing than adjectives. If a track sounds worse mastered, that is a mix problem: say so and keep it off the page.
Add one worst-case example. A track with a bad low end that you honestly improved by 20% is more believable than ten perfect before-and-afters.
Days 11–18: set price, turnaround and revision rules
Start with a per-track price you would be happy to get ten times a month, and test it. Mastering costs range widely, so look at what two or three producers near your level charge before you decide. Our mastering cost guide helps with the range.
Write three rules down: one revision included, turnaround counted from the day payment and mix arrive, and extra revisions priced. Put them in the first reply to every enquiry so they never feel like a surprise.
Do not price by the hour. Clients compare per-track prices, and your tools make you faster each month, so an hourly rate punishes you for improving.
Offer one bundle, such as three tracks at a small discount, so an EP client has a reason to send everything to you rather than split the work.
Days 19–25: fix your delivery routine
Every job ends the same way: a 16-bit WAV for release, an MP3 for approval, filenames like artist_title_master_v1, and a loudness note. Use a short check list: peaks under −1 dBTP, no clipping, same start and end silence on every track. See how to name and tag master files.
Send the approval MP3 first, WAV after payment. Keep the client’s untouched mix in a folder so you can re-run it if they change their mind.
Add a one-line note on what you changed (for example “tamed harsh top end, raised overall level”). It costs you a minute and makes the client feel looked after, which is what brings the second order.
Days 26–30: take the first five clients, and know when to refer out
Message producers and rappers you already know, not strangers: “I’m taking five masters at launch price.” Five is a number you can finish well, and each completed job is a testimonial.
Be honest about limits. Automatic mastering is a fast first pass and cannot fix a bad mix or take creative direction. When a mix has a boomy low end, a harsh vocal or a distorted 808, tell the client to fix the mix, or refer the track to a human engineer.
After each delivery, ask for one sentence of feedback and permission to quote it. Five quotes and ten A/Bs is a complete portfolio for a one-person service. Not sure where to start with your first ten A/Bs? Free online mastering is a quick way to produce the first pass for each.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start a mastering service without a studio?
Yes, for stereo mixes. A pair of decent headphones, a second listening system such as earbuds or a phone, and a repeatable routine is enough to start. Be upfront that you do not offer stem mastering.
How much should a beginner charge for mastering?
Test a per-track price against what two or three similar producers charge locally or online. Start modest, cap revisions at one, and raise the price once you have five finished clients.
Do I need to be a mastering engineer to sell mastering?
No licence is required, but you are selling a result and a promise. Describe exactly what you deliver and refer out anything you cannot fix.
Can I use automatic online mastering for client work?
As a fast first pass, a preview or a reference, yes. Check the terms of any tool for commercial use, and keep your own ears as the final approval.
How many tracks can I master in a day?
With a routine, a handful of stereo mixes. Loopin previews are unlimited, but free downloads are capped at 1 per rolling 24 hours with no account and 2 with a free account.