Starting points and rates
At Soapwoodcoreco we charge mixing per track (€185), per hour for project mixes (€88), or as a bundle for an EP up to five songs (€740). Amounts include 21% VAT; business invoicing can use 14 days payment terms after approval.
Mastering is separate: €68 per track or €255 for an EP. Stem mastering (€95) applies when you mix yourself but want loudness and final polish handled. All services are listed on services with short descriptions.
Per track vs hourly
A straightforward pop or hip-hop song with clean stems and few edits usually fits the per-track rate. Complex live recordings, tempo changes or an album that needs one cohesive sound often moves to hourly billing — you pay for engineer time, not a fixed mythical hours-per-song cap.
Unsure? Send a track list and rough demo via contact. Within 2 business days we suggest a model. No obligation to book; just clarity before you export stems.
What the mix fee includes and excludes
Included: balance, EQ, compression, space, automation where needed, and 2 revision rounds from your feedback (one bundled email per round is fastest). Not included: heavy timing repair on loose performances, full-vocal tuning, recording extra instruments, or rescuing corrupt stems.
Coming from our vocal recording, edits may already exist; from a home DAW we expect reasonably trimmed comp tracks. See stems and file formats for export rules that save mix time.
Example scenarios (indicative)
| Project | Approach | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Single, 24 stems, clear ref | Per track | €185 + optional €68 |
| 4 songs, one sound | EP bundle | €740 + mastering separate |
| Live band, 40 tracks per song | Hourly | Multiple sessions at €88 |
These examples guide planning, they are not quotes. Extra revisions or rush deadlines are agreed in writing upfront.
Revisions and feedback without losing time
Use revision rounds deliberately: note timestamps, pick one reference track (not ten), and split ‘must fix’ from ‘nice to have’. Our engineers work in a 18 m² control room — we check on monitors and headphones before sending anything back.
After 2 rounds, extra time is billed at €88 unless agreed otherwise. That also applies if you change reference halfway or send new stems.
Mastering and streaming
Platforms normalise loudness; extremely loud mixes are turned down with no benefit to the listener. We aim for healthy dynamics and true peak suited to your genre — not a generic ‘everything at max’ master.
If you release through a distributor, check their specs (WAV, sample rate, metadata). We deliver masters that fit; ISRC and credits are handled at the distributor. More on loudness appears in FAQ.
Payment, deposit and archives
Mix jobs start after a 30% deposit and agreed scope (track count, deadline, formats). Balance due before or on delivery of the mixdown, depending on invoice type.
We keep sessions for 12 months. After that, reopening is possible at hourly rates if files remain. Ask for an offline backup on your drive at delivery — it avoids stress later.
Planning a mix from Amsterdam or remote
You do not have to attend in person: much mixing runs via upload and video call. To listen in the studio, book within Tue–Fri 10–22, Sat 11–18. Directions: Take tram 22 to Haarlemmerplein, then walk about 6 minutes via Haarlemmerdijk. Bus stop Buiten Oranjesluis (lines 18, 21 and 22) is within walking distance. (also on contact).
Recording and mixing with the same team keeps tone consistent — band in our 42 m² live room, mix later. See band recording for day rates alongside mixing.
Next step
Send track list, references and deadline to [email protected] or the form on contact. Say if mastering should be included. If stems feed a podcast, read podcast music rights — different rules from a music release.
Legal framework (liability, IP) is in terms and conditions and disclaimer; prices here are indicative, your written quote is leading.
