Waves Online Mastering – Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the goal of mastering? Does it improve sound quality?

Mastering gives a final polish to the overall sound of your music or audio. It also ensures that your material sounds consistent across various platforms and playback systems. Waves Online Mastering applies advanced techniques and expertise to optimize your tracks for different playback formats. Our meticulous approach to mastering ensures that your music translates well across different devices and environments, resulting in a professional and cohesive listening experience, no matter where your audience chooses to enjoy your songs.

Is mastering just about loudness?

No. While loudness is one aspect of the mastering process, mastering also involves other critical elements such as dynamics, tonal balance, stereo imaging, and more. Waves Online Mastering takes a comprehensive approach, incorporating custom-tailored processing techniques and advanced technology to enhance all these sonic characteristics of your music.

Can I try the service for free?

You can preview segments of each mastered song for free. To export the final master, you will need to purchase credits. We offer affordable pricing options based on a credit system. Each credit allows you to master one song. You can choose the package that suits your needs, from a single master purchase to bundle discounts for larger quantities. Please see our pricing page for more details and choose the option that best fits your needs.

What file types can I upload to Waves Online Mastering?

You can upload the following files:

File type: WAV, AIF, AIFF, MP3
Sample rate: 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96 kHz
Bit depth: 16, 24 or 32 bit

You can export mastered files in the following formats:

File type: WAV, MP3
Sample rate: 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96 kHz
Bit depth: 16 or 24 bit

Please note that we support stereo tracks only. We do not master surround mixes. (We do support mono tracks, though that is not the recommended format for contemporary mastering.)

If you need technical support, please submit a ticket here.

What is the maximum track length and file size that I can upload?

Track length must be between 5 seconds (minimum) and 12 minutes (maximum).

File size must be between 400 KB (minimum) and 554 MB (maximum).

Can I set a the LUFS target for my master?

Although the service doesn’t have a designated section for setting LUFS levels, you can upload a reference track and guide the service to your intended loudness values.

NOTE:The Reference feature extracts other properties in addition to loudness, so make sure you upload a track that is similar to yours in instrumentation, style, energy and dynamics.

If I already have a Waves account, do I use the same account and login details to log into Waves Online Mastering?

Yes. If you already have a Waves account, simply use your regular user name and password to log into Waves Online Mastering.

If you do not yet have a Waves account, open one for free here.

How do I access Waves Online Mastering and my mastered files? I cannot see this in my account on Waves.com or Waves Central.

Access the service and your mastered tracks on the Waves Online Mastering app page. Log in to your account on that page (if you already have a Waves account, simply use the same login info), and you will be able to access and download all of your final mastered files.

Will I have access to listen to and download my mastered tracks in the future? Will they be saved and stored in my account?

Yes, your tracks will be saved for future use, for the following time periods:

If you are logged in to your account, mastered tracks along with the original tracks will be saved in your library for a minimum of 180 days. Original tracks that are not yet mastered will be saved for a minimum of 90 days. You can create your account for free here.
If you are not logged in, any tracks you upload will be saved for a minimum of 7 days.

Do I have control over the final sound?

Yes, you can help shape the sound of the final master, using the Style and Tone sections of the service, as well as by adding a Reference Track to guide our processing.

You can choose between three Styles: Precise (our optimal suggestion in terms of well-balanced levels and well-defined tonal qualities), Organic (applying slightly less processing), and Elevating (applying slightly more processing for a brighter, more immersive sound).

In the Tone section, you can choose to add more Presence to our default suggestion; add more Depth; or add both Presence and Depth.

Will the master be ready for release in terms of sonic standards?

The master you receive will be sonically ready for release. The service is specifically designed to provide high-quality, professional audio mastering that meets industry standards, making your tracks ready for various distribution platforms, including streaming services, online stores, and physical media.

If I master the same track again, will the results be identical?

When a track is uploaded twice, the same processing will be applied. If you wish to adjust the results, you can use the service’s Style & Tone sections, or upload a Reference track to guide the service to the sonic character you want to reach. You can deactivate the reference track or change it as many times as you’d like.

How should I prepare my song for mastering? If I am exporting a final mix, how should I do so to reach the best results at the mastering stage?

If you are exporting a final mix from your DAW, follow these guidelines to best prepare it for mastering:

We recommend you aim your mix levels to peak between -2 dBFS and -4 dBFS (with RMS around -15 dBFS)
Before you export your mix, listen through and make sure there are no clicks, pops or audible distortion/clipping.

For more tips about to best prepare a final mix for mastering, watch this video with acclaimed mastering engineer Piper Payne.

What happens if I am not happy with the results after downloading, or have made a mistake? Can I get another credit?

You have unlimited time to refine and revise your masters during the preview stage. You do not have to commit to a master until you are satisfied with the result you hear in the preview. However, after you finalize and receive the final master, the credit is not refundable.

Will credits I purchase expire?

No, purchased Waves Online Mastering credits do not expire.

Does Waves Online Mastering store my original and mastered audio files securely? Can I delete them if I choose to?

Waves Online Mastering utilizes the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, renowned for its high security standards, ensuring that both your original and mastered audio files are safely stored. These files are managed in accordance with our storage policy. You have complete control over your files and can delete them from your library at any time.

Will Waves claim rights on my master?

Waves will never use or claim rights to your audio files. For more detailed information, please refer to sections 5-6 of our Website Terms of Use.

Are there any tutorials to get me started?

Absolutely! We’ve prepared educational videos with expert mastering engineer Piper Payne to assist you in mastering your music effectively and making the most of the platform. You can watch the videos here, or inside the service after you upload a song.

Is it possible to run the Waves Online Mastering process directly from my DAW?

Waves Online Mastering is a web service, not a plugin. Therefore, it is not directly integrated into digital audio workstations (DAWs). To use the service, upload the tracks you wish to master to the Waves Online Mastering web app.

Is it beneficial to use a reference track for my master?

Using a reference track can be highly beneficial. The system compares your song to the reference track you upload and shapes the mastering process with a better understanding of your desired sound.

That being said, if you don’t choose your reference accurately you will guide the system towards goals that are not optimal. We strongly recommend that you choose a reference track that is similar in energy, tempo, instrumentation, and arrangement to the song you are mastering.

Can I get similar mastering results using Waves plugins?

Waves Online Mastering provides professional high-end results, quickly. We still encourage learning about mastering with Waves plugins if you wish to explore mastering techniques on your own. You can find our mastering plugins here, and check out courses about mastering with Waves plugins here and here.