Online Hip Hop Mastering
Hip hop mastering
that hits right.
Hard-hitting low end, competitive loudness, and clarity that cuts through — mastered by an engineer who understands what hip hop is supposed to feel like. Starting at $70/track.
Hip hop credits include
Lil B · Independent
Glasses Malone · Blu Division Records
MAKUTA · Timbaland / Anthem-Bluestone
Why it matters
Hip hop mastering isn't the same
as mastering anything else.
as mastering anything else.
The low end decisions, the loudness targets, the way 808s sit in the stereo field — these are genre-specific calls that a generalist approach gets wrong. Here's what I focus on for hip hop.
Low end management
808s, kick drums, and sub bass need precise control — tight enough to hit hard on club systems, clean enough to translate on earbuds. That balance requires careful mid-side processing and genre-informed EQ decisions.
Loudness for streaming
Hip hop masters typically run loud and dynamic. Getting that loudness right on Spotify and Apple Music — competitive without triggering excessive normalization — is a deliberate targeting decision, not just pushing a limiter.
Vocal clarity
In hip hop the vocal is everything. Mastering has to preserve presence and intelligibility while keeping the low end heavy — not an easy balance. Frequency-specific processing keeps the vocal cutting through without thinning out the mix.
Stereo width and imaging
Wide stereo can sound impressive on headphones but fall apart on mono club systems. Hip hop masters need a strong mono foundation with controlled width — so the track sounds right everywhere it plays.
True peak for streaming
Streaming platforms encode your audio to AAC or MP3, which can add up to 1dB of peak level. True peak limiting at –1.0 dBTP keeps your master from clipping after encoding — keeping that low end clean on every platform.
Genre awareness
I listen to hip hop. I've worked with hip hop artists from independent releases to label-backed projects. The decisions I make come from understanding what the music is supposed to feel like — not from applying generic settings.
Before & after
Hear the difference on real hip hop tracks
These are real samples from actual mastering sessions. Play before and after to hear what mastering does to hip hop specifically.
Hip Hop Sample
Hip Hop
Before
After
Rap Sample
Rap
Before
After
Selected hip hop credits
Artists I've worked with
From independent releases to label-backed projects — here's some of the hip hop work I've had the chance to be part of.
Independent
Lil B
Internet rap pioneer and one of the most prolific independent artists in modern hip hop — known for releasing hundreds of projects independently and building a massive cult following.
Mastering Engineer
Blu Division Records
Glasses Malone
Fucc Glasses Malone — 2024 mixtape release on Blu Division Records. West Coast hip hop from one of LA's most established independent voices.
Mastering Engineer
Anthem-Bluestone · Timbaland
MAKUTA
Brooklyn pop-rock with hip hop sensibilities, signed to Timbaland's Anthem-Bluestone label — one of the most respected names in modern hip hop production.
Mastering Engineer
How it works
Simple, fast, and personal
1
Export your mix as a WAV
24-bit WAV, no limiter on the master bus, peaks around –6 dBFS. If you're not sure how to prep it, I'll send you the guide.
2
Upload and send a note
Drop your file with the upload link in your confirmation. Include any direction — references, feel, where it's going. The more context the better.
3
I listen and master it
Every track gets listened to properly — not processed through a preset. I'll flag anything in the mix that might affect the result before I start.
4
You get the master back in 24–48hrs
A streaming-ready WAV, optimized for Spotify, Apple Music, and every other platform. Three rounds of revisions included if anything needs adjusting.
At a glance
$70/track
WAV + MP3 included. Vinyl master same price. No hidden fees.
24–48hr
Typical turnaround. Faster if you need it — just ask.
3 rounds
Revisions included. Most clients are happy on the first pass.
Questions?
Ask me anything before you book. I'll get back to you within 24 hours.
What artists say
Independent artists I've worked with.
"No over compression, dynamics were preserved with a clean finish. Very prompt with delivery as promised."
Dennis Watts · Google Review
"Made my song sound bigger, fuller and clean. Vocals cut through clearly, bass is punchy. Quick turnaround."
John E Dictter · Google Review
"An absolute first class service — great communication, a speedy turnaround and more importantly a great master."
Lee Boulton · Google Review
Common questions
Hip hop mastering — FAQ
Do you master trap, drill, boom bap, and other sub-genres?▼
Yes — all of them. The approach shifts per sub-genre. Trap and drill need very specific low-end and 808 treatment. Boom bap benefits from a more dynamic, vintage-leaning master. Whatever you're making, send it over and tell me what you're going for.
What loudness target should my hip hop master hit?▼
For streaming, I typically target around –8 to –10 LUFS integrated for hip hop — slightly louder than pop or folk because the genre calls for it, while still being within the range that Spotify and Apple Music handle well without aggressive normalization. True peak stays at –1.0 dBTP regardless.
My 808s are hitting hard in the mix — will mastering change that?▼
It shouldn't — and if anything is compromising the 808, I'll flag it. Heavy 808s that aren't properly controlled in the mix can cause limiting to pump and reduce perceived loudness. If that's the case I'll let you know before I start rather than just mastering around it.
Should I remove the beats/instrumentals before sending?▼
Send the full final mix — vocals, beats, everything together as one stereo WAV. That's what gets mastered. If you also need an instrumental master, send that as a separate file and I'll master both.
How much does hip hop mastering cost?▼
Same pricing as all genres — $70/track, includes 16-bit WAV + MP3 delivery (24-bit available on request). Three rounds of revisions included. First-time clients can hear a free mastered sample before committing.