What mastering does and does not do
Mastering at Claviforge focuses on final balance, medium-specific loudness and export formats. Rate per track: €98; EP up to six tracks: €430. We work from your approved mix; large mix changes belong in mixing, not in mastering.
Mastering does not fix arrangement issues or replace legal clearance. It is the last technical step before distribution. For mix planning, see mixing budget guide.
Author, performer and producer
Dutch copyright protects the composition (melody, lyrics, original arrangement choices). Performers hold neighbouring rights in their performance. Whoever initiates and takes responsibility for the recording acts as phonogram producer with rights in that recording.
Paying for studio time or mastering does not automatically transfer all rights. Written agreements between contributors matter, especially for features, session players or samples. This is general information, not legal advice—consult a specialist when in doubt.
Collective management
Composers and lyricists often join Buma/Stemra for uses such as radio and live performance. Performers and producers may receive neighbouring-rights payments via Sena for public playback. Streaming mostly runs through deals between platforms and societies; that affects your release, but we are not a collecting society.
Covers need licences from right holders or the usual mechanical routes. Uncleared samples in a master we process remain your responsibility—flag them before session via contact.
Technical deliverables from us
We usually supply distributor-friendly WAV at 16 or 24 bit with clear naming, sometimes MP3 references. Loudness follows the medium you target (streaming, download, broadcast). True peak stays within safe margins so encoders do not clip.
DDP or vinyl-specific sequencing sits outside standard track mastering—ask separately. We store files for 24 months; download and archive locally before release. Revisions follow the same frame as mixing: 2 rounds within scope.
Contracts and credits
Define who may release, in which territories and how income splits. Metadata credits (performer, composer, producer) should match contracts; platforms may flag disputes when they do not.
Our terms and conditions cover payment, cancellation and liability for studio services by Claviforge B.V., KvK 85363453. Intellectual property in your work stays with you unless a written agreement says otherwise for specific deliverables such as custom jingles.
Samples, AI and third-party content
If you use loops, stems or AI-generated material, keep licences and export logs. EU discussions on AI training evolve; for today’s release, what matters is what your contracts allow and what your distributor asks on upload forms.
We do not invent artist names or personas for your release; marketing stays with you. Site imagery may be AI-assisted—see the site footer disclaimer. Personal data from sessions falls under our privacy policy.
Release checklist
- Mix approved; mastering booked via mastering.
- Rights in composition, lyrics, performance and recording documented.
- Features and session musicians agreed in writing.
- Metadata and credits aligned with contracts.
- Files downloaded before the 24-month archive window ends.
Podcast only? Loudness and formats are in podcast audio formats. Session questions: 020 244 1836 or [email protected].
Move forward together
Book mastering via contact with your mix attached. Combine with tracking in our booths via vocal recording if you have not cut finals yet. We are open Tuesday–Friday 10:00–20:00, Saturday 11:00–18:00. Closed Sunday and Monday. at Danzigerkade 78, 1013 AP Amsterdam.
