Mixing and balance
From raw stems to a mix that holds together on headphones and speakers: our engineers in the Haarlemmerbuurt shape balance, dynamics and depth without flattening your arrangement.
A mix decides whether vocals, drums and bass support each other or fight for space. At Soapwoodcoreco we mix singles, band tracks and electronic projects recorded elsewhere, as well as material from our own 42 m² live room. You supply organised stems or a session export; we listen to your references and target platform before touching faders.
You can choose a fixed per-song rate (€185), hourly work for complex project mixes (€88), or an EP bundle up to five tracks (€740). All amounts are consumer prices including 21% VAT. For budgeting and mastering combinations, read mixing budget guide; for file rules see stems and file formats.
How it works
- 01
Intake
You send stems or a session export, tempo, key and one or two reference tracks. Within 2 business days we confirm which rate applies and when we can start.
- 02
First mix
In the 18 m² control room we build a balance on monitors and check on several headphones. You receive a mixdown (usually 24-bit WAV) to review at home.
- 03
Revision
We bundle your notes into one list with timestamps. Up to 2 rounds are included; after that we bill hourly at €88 unless we agree otherwise in our terms and conditions.
- 04
Delivery
After approval we deliver the final mixdown and, on request, stem submixes for live or DJ use. We keep project files on our servers for 12 months.
Who this service is for
Producers who work at home and want a second pair of ears, bands that still lack punch after band recording, rap projects with heavy subs and quiet ad-libs, acoustic acts with delicate arrangements: mixing sits between tracking and mastering. Labels sometimes send stems only when studio time must stay tight.
Mixing does not replace arrangement decisions. If structure is still open, we say so in intake. Need a quick technical listen? Book a short hourly session; a release-ready mix usually fits the per-track or EP rate.
What to deliver
Supply all tracks from the same start point (bar 1, sample 0) at one sample rate — preferably 48 kHz, 24-bit WAV. Name tracks clearly (e.g. drums_overheads_L, vox_lead) and note BPM and key in a short text file. Dry or lightly processed vocals give us more room than a pre-crushed stem export.
Include an instrumental bounce if you have one, plus references close to your loudness and tone goals. Our guide stems and file formats covers zip layout, headroom and what we cannot rescue from a lossy MP3 master. Questions beforehand? Contact us or call 020-737 4821.
How a mix run works
We work offline: you do not need to sit in the studio all day unless you book a live review at €88. The engineer starts with gain staging, panning and broad EQ, then compression, space and effects that serve the song. Vocals get priority in the first pass; drums and bass are anchored so the mix does not feel weightless.
Between passes we check on nearfield monitors in the 18 m² room and on everyday headphones — closer to how listeners hear you on streaming apps. Want to attend at Grote Bickersstraat 74 in Amsterdam? That fits our opening hours: Tue–Fri 10–22, Sat 11–18.
Choosing a rate
| Situation | Rate | Price (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| One single, tidy stems | Per track | €185 |
| Long album song, many edits | Hourly project mix | €88 |
| Up to five songs, one sonic thread | EP bundle | €740 |
The table is guidance, not a quote: stem count, genre and deadline drive the choice. Mixing budget guide shows scenarios with mastering (€68 per track). Business clients can use 14-day payment terms after approval; consumers typically pay a 30% deposit when booking.
Revisions and limits
2 revision rounds are included when feedback is specific (timestamp + what you hear). “Make it warmer” helps less than “vocals slightly forward around 2:15”. New stems after the first mix count as extra work; so does switching genre reference halfway through.
Mixing does not include mastering, heavy tuning on every line or building a beat from scratch. We can handle light edits and fades that belong to the song. For final loudness and platform normalisation, book mastering for streaming — a separate service with its own rates.
Delivery formats
By default we deliver a stereo 24-bit WAV mixdown; sample rate follows your project or 48 kHz if you have no preference. On request: instrumental, TV mix without vocals, or stem bounces for live sets. Delivery is via secure download; large projects can land on your drive if arranged upfront.
After sign-off the mix is yours; Soapwoodcoreco B.V. keeps working files for 12 months for possible re-export. We then delete them per our privacy policy. Request an archive copy early if you plan later tweaks.
Turnaround
Allow roughly five to ten business days for per-track work after complete delivery; busy periods or EPs may take longer. Rush is sometimes possible at extra cost when the calendar allows — agreed before payment. We answer intake mail within 2 business days.
Combine mixing with in-house tracking: after vocal recording or band days we can move sessions straight into mix without re-exporting stems, which avoids start-point mistakes and speeds the first pass.
Working with mastering
A mix should leave headroom for mastering. We aim for a healthy bus without a limiter that already hits streaming loudness; mastering handles the last step for Spotify, Apple Music and vinyl prep. Many clients book €185 plus €68 per song; EPs pair €740 with €255.
If you mix yourself but want loudness and final polish only, see stem mastering (€95) — that is not a full mix service. All options sit on services; general questions in FAQ.
Included
- Mix by engineer in 18 m² control room
- 2 revision rounds from your feedback list
- 24-bit WAV mixdown and secure download
- Monitor and headphone check before sending
- Short technical note when stems are unusual
- Working files stored 12 months
- Intake confirmation within 2 business days
FAQ
How many stems can I send?
There is no hard cap, but more than forty tracks per song often needs hourly billing. Group DIs and doubles where you can; see stems and file formats for naming.
Can I attend while you mix?
Yes, by appointment at Grote Bickersstraat 74. Attended time is billed at €88; most clients work asynchronously with mix versions by email.
Will you mix beats I bought online?
Yes, if your licence allows stems or multitracks. Deliver the beat separate from vocals; we do not mix without rights to the underlying material.
What if I need changes after two revision rounds?
Extra rounds are possible at €88 or as a small package agreed upfront. Details are in terms and conditions under revisions.
Do you mix vocals only?
If you have a near-finished instrumental and mainly need vocals, hooks and ad-libs balanced, the per-track rate often fits. Send a short demo; we will say honestly if hourly work is better.
Other services
- 01
Vocal recording
Isolated booth and engineer for singles, hooks and demos.
€95 · per hour
- 02
Band recording
Live room for drums, bass and amps with a separate booth.
€125 · per hour (studio + engineer)
- 03
Mastering
Final polish with controlled loudness for digital platforms.
€68 · per track
- 04
Podcast recording
Table setup for two to four voices, monitoring included.
€78 · per hour
Recording in Amsterdam?
Let's plan your session
Tell us what you need: within 2 working days we reply with a slot and a written quote, no obligation.