Free checklist
Master-Prep Checklist (Get Your Mix Ready to Master)
Mastering enhances a good mix - it can't rescue a broken one. Run this quick checklist before you export, and your master comes back louder, cleaner, and closer on the first try.
Levels & headroom
- Leave headroom - peaks around -6 dBFS, no clipping.
- Remove any limiter or maximizer from the master bus.
- Turn off master-bus processing you don't want baked in.
The mix itself
- Fix mud (250 - 400 Hz) and harshness (2 - 5 kHz) before mastering.
- Keep the low end mono and in key.
- Check the mix in mono - nothing should disappear.
Export settings
- Export WAV or AIFF, 24-bit, at your project sample rate.
- Don't export MP3 for mastering - use lossless.
- Render the full song with a clean start and tail (no cut-offs).
Before you upload
- A/B against a reference track in the same genre.
- Name the file clearly (artist - title).
- Bounce and back up your stems for later.
Key takeaway. The two that matter most: leave real headroom (peaks around -6 dBFS) and take any limiter off the master bus. Everything else is polish.
Frequently asked questions
How much headroom should I leave before mastering?
Aim for peaks around -6 dBFS with no clipping, and remove any limiter or maximizer from the master bus so mastering has room to work.
What format should I export for mastering?
Export lossless - WAV or AIFF, 24-bit, at your project's sample rate. Avoid MP3, which throws away detail the master would otherwise keep.
Should I fix my mix before mastering?
Yes. Clear mud (250 - 400 Hz) and harshness (2 - 5 kHz), keep the low end mono, and check the mix in mono first. Mastering polishes a balanced mix; it can't fix a bad one.
Put it into practice
Upload a mix and Sauce masters it to streaming-ready loudness - free first master, no plugins.
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