Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• About Apple's ADM (Apple Digital Masters, formerly "Mastered For iTunes" or MFiT):

• About ISRC codes

• About Metadata and CD-text (and why the CD-Text is not read when I insert my CD into the computer):

• What services are provided at Camilo Silva F. Mastering?

• Where can I find the information regarding rates and services at Camilo Silva F. Mastering?

• What payment methods are accepted at Camilo Silva F. Mastering?

• What are the usual turnaround times? 

• Are there any bulk discounts?

• What about instrumentals, TV mixes, or other alternate versions of the same mix?

• Once the mastering's been delivered, do you keep backup copies in Camilo Silva F. Mastering?

• ...There are so many mastering studios... What is it that makes Camilo Silva F. Mastering unique?

• What musical genres does Camilo Silva F. Mastering work on?

• I see that the studio has no subwoofer. Which is the reason?

• What format should I submit my tracks for Mastering? What requirements must be met to start?

• Do you offer mastering samples?

• Do you do stem mastering at Camilo Silva F. Mastering? Can I send my mix into separate stems?

• Volume ... Volume, VOLUME !!! I want more VOLUME !!!

• Why, if I have requested a high VOLUME for my master, my song does not play louder than the others on platforms such as YouTube, Apple Music, Deezer, etc? Is it worth asking for high volumes to compete with others?

• Why does the "Loudness Meter" that Camilo uses have two modes of operation, called "Master" and "Mixing"?

 

About Apple’s ADM (formerly "Mastered For iTunes" or MFiT):

Camilo Silva F. Mastering is an Apple's ADM certified mastering engineer. This is an essential requirement when the material is to be published under the ADM badge on Apple iTunes Store, and this should not be confused as a "Master for iTunes or platforms in general". More information here: https://www.apple.com/apple-music/apple-digital-masters/

Camilo Silva F. Mastering can generate high-resolution masters under the ADM specification if the client requires it. Therefore, this service has no extra cost. In this case, the customer must request this service in advance and specify if an ADM version is required besides the main master. ADM masters are delivered in high-resolution WAV format (Typically 24bit / 96kHz, 24bit / 88.2kHz, 24bit / 48kHz, or 24bit / 44.1kHz), while the conventional master is typically delivered at 24 and 16bit / 44.1kHz WAV format plus 320Kbps MP3, and also delivered in DDP format for the CD pressing plant (We do not provide physical CDs for pressing or replication).

About ISRC codes:

ISRC codes are specific international identifiers used to uniquely and individually identify and track audio recordings and music videos. More information about ISRC can be found at www.ifpi.org

Camilo Silva F. Mastering can request the ISRC codes to the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry), either for an album or one or more singles, at no cost to our clients, assuming that the client owns the rights to the recordings to be registered, and assuming that the client is located within Colombian territory. This process can take several days (sometimes weeks), so getting this done ahead of time is a good idea. If ISRC codes are urgently required, codes can be generated using Camilo Silva F. Mastering's master ISRC code.

About Metadata and CD-text (and why the CD-Text is not read when I insert my CD into the computer):

The metadata embedded in the mastered files that are delivered by Camilo Silva F. Mastering contains all the most relevant information of the songs, such as artist name, album title, genre, composers, tones, speeds, and artwork, assuming that this information has been provided by the customer. This metadata is regularly embedded in both WAV and MP3 files but not into the "Mastered for iTunes (MFiT)" versions as this would cause the file to be rejected by the aggregator or Apple.

Have in consideration that, although most players are capable to read the metadata of the MP3 files, only a few of them can read the metadata from WAV files (Audirvana for example), so this fact should not be confused with an error or a glitch into the metadata embedded into the files.

Also take into account that some players have problems displaying the artwork correctly, even if it is embedded in the metadata (Windows Media Player usually has problems displaying it). This is NOT a flaw in the files, it's simply an aspect that is totally out of our control since it is dependent on the used player to reproduce the audio files.

This information should not be confused with the CD-Text that is embedded in the master DDP for physical pressing and is therefore embedded in all production copies generated from the DDP file. We suggest viewing this video to clarify any doubts in relation to why the CD-Text is not read by the computer as soon as the copies come out of the CD factory. This situation is NOT a failure in any of our processes or in the master pressing.

What services are provided at Camilo Silva F. Mastering?

Currently, Camilo Silva F. Mastering is dedicated 100% exclusively to stereo audio mastering. 

Where can I find the information regarding rates and services at Camilo Silva F. Mastering?

Drop us a line to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. !

What payment methods are accepted at Camilo Silva F. Mastering?

At the moment we take cash, Venmo, bank transfer, and PayPal for our worldwide clients. Money orders via Western Union, Moneygram, Efecty or similar are not accepted.

What are the usual turnaround times?

Our turnaround times are the best in the industry by far. For singles, it's not unusual for a 24 hours turnaround (sometimes even less) and only a few more days for a full album. However, if there is a rush and/or time-sensitive deadlines, it is always wise to check and book ahead of time as Camilo's work tends to be in high demand at all times.

Are there any bulk discounts?

Of course! There are bulk rates for albums or EPs comprised of more than 5 tracks. Contact us for details and pricing!

What about instrumentals, TV mixes, or other alternate versions of the same mix?

No problem, but it is essential to define "alternate version":

Any of the following cases can be considered as an alternate version: TV Mix version (mix without lead vocals), Instrumental version (mix without lead vocals and/or BGV), Acapella (isolated lead vocal with or without BGV), "Radio Edit" (radio version with less duration than the original mix), "Extended mix" (extended or edited version of the song to make it longer), and "Clean Version" (a version of the mix without explicit or offensive language, mainly used in Rap).

It is not considered as an alternate version of the song has mixes in different styles, for example, "Salsa Version" plus "Pop Version" plus "Acoustic Version". In this case, each version represents a new song. Therefore, each of these will be charged as a separate song.

That said, one (1) extra version is included at no additional cost as long as this is requested in advance and the file is delivered alongside the main version.

Once the mastering's been delivered, do you keep backup copies in Camilo Silva F. Mastering?

The simple answer is: "Yes."

Nonetheless, we clarify that this is part of Camilo's personal archive. So we advocate that each client keep copies of their files in a safe place since we do not assume any responsibility for long-term storage, nor do we make any commitment to keep copies of our previously mastered work (although we will most likely always have copies of all our material on hand!).

...There are so many mastering studios... What is it that makes Camilo Silva F. Mastering unique?

There are several reasons, but the main one is the unique conjunction of acoustics/monitoring/equipment/engineer.

Furthermore, Camilo Silva F. Mastering is one of the few in which a large part of its equipment (including digital/analog converters) is custom designed and built and/or modified by its engineer to improve its performance, including its proprietary D/A tube conversion technology, a fact that only a few mastering studios worldwide can claim. All of this is complemented by critical pieces of specialized Mastering equipment, chosen primarily for ergonomics and performance and also chosen to keep the signal path as short and straightforward as possible.

What musical genres does Camilo Silva F. Mastering work on?

Absolutely all! Camilo is not a niche or genre-specific mastering engineer. On the contrary - Camilo's versatility is known worldwide and can be heard here:

https://camilosilvaf.com/index.php#player

I see that the studio has no subwoofer. Which is the reason?

Camilo has never had much empathy with subwoofers. However, after a couple of decades-long career and many studios visited, Camilo concluded that subwoofers are seldom properly aligned, transmit mechanical vibration to the studio floor, and generally don't go well with Camilo's workflow. That's why he chose one of the most advanced self-contained full-range monitoring systems in existence: Barefoot Sound MicroMain 26. This system's frequency response goes from 25Hz to 40kHz with all the benefits of the sealed cabinets; transient response is much faster than conventional "bass reflex" cabinets with a more natural roll-off in low frequencies. Another advantage of the MicroMain 26 is that its dual subwoofers work in "push-pull" mode, also called "force-canceling," which means that both subwoofers work as a single-piston without transmitting the slightest vibration to the enclosure, which is a massive benefit in terms of resolution and stereo imaging of the system.

What format should I submit my tracks for Mastering? What requirements must be met to start?

For starters, the tracks must be delivered in the same format as the source mixing session. For example, if the original mixing session is at 24bit/48kHz, the bounces should come at this resolution and bit-depth, or as an alternative bit-depth, 32bit. If doing an analog capture of the mix or is being done in the analog domain, you can take advantage of this situation and print at higher resolutions, for example, 88.2kHz or 96kHz.

Regarding file levels and headroom, the only requirement is having no clipping or digital distortion in the mixes.

In the case of songs with a long fade-out, the mix must be ideally sent without it since the fade-out must be appropriately replicated post-mastering processes. However, a sample audio file of how the fade-out should be performed is appreciated.

The mixes must have any "mastering" process or limiter plug-in disabled to ensure proper file headroom.

However, the most crucial requirement is that the client must be positive about the mix(es) before the mastering session. Although recalls or revisions are free of charge, any revision involving a mix swap/resubmission will be charged extra (anything from full-rate to half-rate depending on the extension of the changes performed).

Reference tracks are always welcome!

Also, artwork and track/artist's info is also appreciated: Artist's name, BPM, key, genre, composer, and for albums, final track sequence is a must.

Do you offer Mastering samples at Camilo Silva F. Mastering?  

We do not offer Mastering tests or samples as it is against our policies to do so. However, you can sample our sounds here: https://camilosilvaf.com/index.php#player

Do you do stem mastering at Camilo Silva F. Mastering? Can I send my mix into separate stems?

No. The reason is simple, and it is because stem mastering is mixing, which is clearly outside the focus of the services provided in Camilo Silva F. Mastering.

Volume ... Volume, VOLUME !!! I want more VOLUME !!!

No problem! The first thing to clarify is that Camilo is not afraid of volume, and in fact, his analog chain is optimized to obtain the maximum possible volume with the least damage and with maximum attack and dynamics retention. However, it is necessary to understand that the final volume possible to obtain depends on the mix itself and how expertly crafted and balanced the mix is. Not all mixes are good candidates for higher volumes without significant damage. 

A reference track is always handy to establish the client's expectations regarding volume.

Why, if I have requested a high VOLUME for my master, my song does not play louder than the others on platforms such as YouTube, Apple Music, Deezer, etc? Is it worth asking for high volumes to compete with others?

From some time to now, most platforms have implemented a volume normalization scheme on the playback of the audio files, a setting that might be on by default in the different streaming services. In other words and assuming that loudness normalization is enabled on the end user's playback system, a track that was mastered too loud might get leveled or reduced from its original mastered volume. Therefore, we advise choosing a mastered volume that complements the mix in a flattering, pleasing way, regardless of its measured loudness.

Why does the "Loudness Meter" that Camilo uses have two modes of operation, called "Master" and "Mixing"?

A proper mixing or mastering studio must have some kind of analogue visual feedback on the dynamics and the levels of the material being worked on. Camilo believes that a professional studio MUST have analog VU meters, and with this in mind, he devised a double calibration system for his VU meters, which allows him to use them for both Mastering and mix work analysis, just by flipping a switch. The idea is to optimize the operation of the VU meters to the nominal reference levels with which Camilo has been working for the last 20 years. For example, in "Mixing" mode, the reference level of the VU meters is 0VU = -14dBFS, which is an identical calibration to the Neve 8058 console that Camilo used for so many years, while in "Master" mode, the reference level changes to 0VU = -9dBFS, so that the VU meters respond more adequately to the mastering levels that are common in this era.