Once I feel I have a clear idea of where the song needs to go, I’ll schedule a REF delivery date — typically 5–7 working days based on current workload. Your reference masters are not release-ready files. They're created for critical listening: take note of tonal balance, micro and macro dynamics, depth, timing, and overall feel.

REFs are delivered in a single playlist alongside your original mix so you can A/B with ease. If the V1 represents a significant departure from the original mix, I'll include a V0 (my term for a more transparent master) so you have a clear picture of the range of sonic aesthetics available to you.

Listen to your master in your kitchen, on your car stereo, your headphones, your studio monitors, wherever you listen most. That’s the objective during this stage. At RQ, revisions are included with your project. So if something isn’t sitting right, let me know and I’ll make it right.

New REF masters will be created based on your feedback to ensure the record translates the way you intend.

Once you've approved a REF master, we move into a comprehensive Quality Control process. This is a process that includes spectral de-clicking, manual de-essing, de-crackling, spectral editing, dithering, and format-specific optimization in Izotope RX 12. Any non-musical artifacts lingering the earlier stages of the production process will be addressed by hand.

This process is typically completed within 1 working day of receiving approval of final REFs.

Final production masters are subsequently delivered via Dropbox in the formats your release requires — from hi-res digital distribution and Apple Digital Masters to vinyl, CD, and Dolby Atmos. If you're not sure what formats you need, get in touch with us and we’ll help.