Start by contacting us about your project. You can do this by using the contact page or by email. We want to know more about your desires and what kind of services you need to use. Our office manager will be glad to help you and give you advices, if you need so.
2. Get a free account on our server
Then we will create a free account for you on our FTP server. You will receive an email containing your user name and password. You are now ready to begin your first work with AMA Sound.
Instead of FTP you can use the free service YouSendIt.
Also we accept material by regular mail:
Burn your files onto a standard CDR or DVDR.
Label the media with contact details.
Package the media carefully.
Mail to:
1 Balchik Str.
compl. Krasno selo
Sofia, 1612
Bulgaria
3. Download the approval demo/final production of your order
When we complete your order, we prepare for you approval demo, so you can hear the final result of our work. You will receive an email containing a download link for the approval demo. After you approve to us, that you like our job and we confirm your payment, we will upload for you the final production of your order.
How to deliver the audio files for mastering
1. Bypass any plugins on the master output
Bypass any plugins on the master output, i.e. no equalizer, compressor or limiter on the stereo mix. Of course you should still have equalizer/compressor and effects on individual tracks and busses. If you are using a hardware mixer you can choose to remove any compressor/limiter on the mix bus.
2. Check the output level
It is important to avoid clipping (the red meter indicator is lit), e.g. that the output does not exceed 0dBFS. It is advised to keep the peak of the mix at around -6 to -3dBFS on your master output meter. This will provide the best signal/headroom relationship for mastering with a 24 bit file. For the same reason you should not normalize the audio file.
3. File format
The preferred format is a 24 bit WAV file without dithering, so remember to turn off dithering in your sequencer before bouncing/exporting. The preferred sample rate is 48kHz (48.000 Hz) but higher and lower sample rates are accepted too. Other formats are accepted but this should be agreed upon before work commences.
4. Bounce or Export your mix
Make a stereo mix of the finished song. This is done using the Bounce function in Logic or Export function in Cubase/Nuendo/Pro Tools or any other audio software. If you are recording your mix into the sequencer or workstation instead, the preferred format is 24 bit if possible.
5. Do not fade in/out
Please do not fade the mix in or out. If you have special wishes for the fade, let us know and we will take care of it.
How to deliver the audio files for mixing
1. Bypass any plugins on the tracks output
Remove all plugins that you might have in the channel inserts.
2. Bypass any automation on each track
Remove any automation, that might have on each track. Please allow our mix engineer to use his own ability to choose the best automations for your tracks, according his own art of mixing.
3. Check the output level of each track
It is important to avoid clipping (the red meter indicator is lit), e.g. that the output does not exceed 0dBFS of each track. This is very important to prevent the dry signal from any sort of bending.
4. Bypass any plugins on the master output
Bypass any plugins on the master output, i.e. no equalizer, compressor or limiter on the stereo mix, the same as we advised to do with each track individually.
5. File format
The preferred format is a 24 bit WAV for each track without dithering, so remember to turn off dithering in your sequencer before bouncing/exporting. The preferred sample rate is 48kHz (48.000 Hz) for each track but higher and lower sample rates are accepted too.
How to deliver the audio files for post-production (music composition, arranging, sound design, editing, using our feature add-ons instruments)
1. Send all project files dry
Whatever we do, if you intend to send us project files, we need those files dry, without any plugins, just exact they have been recorded.
2. Check the output level of each track
It is important to avoid clipping (the red meter indicator is lit), e.g. that the output does not exceed 0dBFS of each track. This is very important to prevent the dry signal from any sort of bending.
3. File format
The preferred format is a 24 bit WAV for each track without dithering, so remember to turn off dithering in your sequencer before bouncing/exporting. The preferred sample rate is 48kHz (48.000 Hz) for each track but higher and lower sample rates are accepted too. Remember, we will create your production corresponding the file formats you supplied to us, so as much quality they are, as much quality production we can do upon.
4. Bounce or Export your tracks individually
Bounce (export) each individual audio track so that every file starts from the beginning (same bar or timecode position). If you recorded your material in a studio, please exist to have all your material, saved individually by tracks and not mixed somehow. We can’t fix that!
FTP Guide
1. FTP client
If you do not already have an FTP client, you can download one for free. As a Windows user you can download the freeware program SmartFTP or as a Mac user the freeware program Secure FTP.
2. First pack the files using ZIP or RAR
Preferably you should pack the audio file(s) as a ZIP or RAR archive before uploading. Windows users can choose e.g. Monkeys Audio or WinRAR, while Mac users can choose StuffIt or RAR.
By packing the files you will get shorter upload times due to a decrease in file size, but more importantly you are guaranteed 100% data integrity via the checksum process. In this way the audio is guaranteed completely identical in both ends of the file transfer. Read more about lossless data compression.
Mastering can only achieve so much and cannot create miracles to a poorly mixed recording. There are countless factors and relationships within a mix that can be easily overlooked. All these neglected mistakes will ultimately result in dissapointing mastering results.
There are no shortcuts to achieving great mastering. The mastering results will always rely on the quality of your mix. A good mixing job is the ultimate key that will lead your music recordings to exceptionally superior mastering results. When you hire a pro mix engineer, you are mostly paying for his ears and experience to knock you a great mix. An experienced mixing engineer has the magic ability to make your mix sound broader. Imagine what a good mastering job can do to a great mix.
2. What Are The Benefits Of Mixing & Mastering?
Having performed mastering on our clients, we have seen the problem first hand. At many times we wished we had the option to make minor to major adjustments to a mix that will help elevate the mastering result. In most cases with poorly mixed recordings, the rooted problem can only be fixed effectively by returning to the mixing process.
It is an added advantage for a mastering engineer to have the luxury of accessing your mix. Sometimes, a slight tweak or adjustment in the mix will make all the difference in the mastering result. At other times, it involves serious surgery. This luxurious option of mixing & mastering will allow us to return to your mix and make any necessary and vital adjustments. This simply gives the mixing & mastering engineer the flexibility and full control to problem solving. This convenience is very powerful. The difference is priceless.
The solution is now here. If you are serious about your sound, this service is now available to you at an affordable rate. Get it right the first time. There are no shortcuts to achieving a professional sound. The mastering results will always point to the quality of your mix. We dare say that the option of mixing and mastering with us will yield perfection to superior results. Listen to our demos and be the judge.
3. Why should I have my song/CD mastered?
So it can be competitive with what is out there. All professional albums are mastered. So to have a commercial industry standard CD that is radio ready, you should have mastering done.
4. Why do you suggest sending in a reference CD?
The reference CD should be of a group or style of music that you like or sound similar to, or like the way it sounds. This will give us an idea of how you want your finished project to sound. So if your a heavy metal band, don't send in a classical CD. The style of music does not necessarily have to be the same just as long as you like the sonic quality of the reference CD that should be fine.
5. Will you keep the reference CD?
No, we will return it with the proof CD.
6. What if I don't have a reference CD?
Then just send in comments on what you might be looking for. Like maybe "loud and in your face" or "warm and dynamic."
7. How will the approval demo be different then the final production that you send?
The approval demo will be exactly the same except for occasional test tones placed in each song. This way the approval demo can not be used as a master.
8. Can mastering fix musical mistakes or remove distortion and excess reverb?
No, mastering cannot fix individual tracks after they have been mixed down.
9. How do I plan and create a budget for my project?
Included with our production, recording, & training services, we will assist you in planning your recording project. From assessing the time needed for the project to special service pricing, our job is to help you achieve your goals and dreams.
Each project will vary on what services are needed and in what order they are needed in. We will arrange this info into a monthly spanned charge and gauge how long your project will take. Long term or short term projects can greatly benefit from creating and budget and become efficient working wise and money wise.
10. Do you offer recording services?
Yes we do, but took in mind that we are based in Bulgaria (Eastern Europe), so sometimes cost more to arrive from long distance, just for recording procedure. In this case we recommend to look for local studio in your area.
11. How do I book an order?
Please contact us to schedule an order. Orders generally book 1-2 weeks in advance. It is also possible to get in on short notice. After establishing your order, you will get the payment details by e-mail.
12. Do I have to pay in advance?
Yes, AMA Sound work is a prepaid service. However, all work is protected by our zero-risk guarantee -- enabling you to confidently choose AMA Sound for your next production project.
13. What are the payment options?
We accept only bank wire transfer and PayPal. All bank expenses are on your own. After you book an order, you will receive payment details from our office manager. As soon as we confirm the receive of your payment we will move you into our schedule and you will get notice for the turnaround period for finishing your order.
14. Is it true that you work until I'm absolutely happy?
Yes, it's totally true. We are very proud to offer an "completely zero-risk guarantee" -- we will continue to revise your masters -- at no additional charge -- until you are totally satisfied with the final result. Simply put, we want to realize your vision for how your music should sound.
15. Can I be present at the production session?
No, it has been our policy not to have clients at the production sessions.
