How much does mastering cost? Prices for songs, EPs & albums (2026)
Professional mastering at Peak-Studios costs between €65 and €89 per song (as of June 2026): A digital stereo master costs €65, an analog one €89 – each including two revisions. Stem mastering costs between €89 and €150 per song, depending on the number of stems. For albums, the price per track drops to between €59 and €80. All prices include VAT.
Anyone planning their first release faces the same question: What does mastering really cost – and what factors influence the price? This article provides you with the specific figures from our price list, the most important pricing factors, and a comparison to the costs of mixing.
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Your price in 30 seconds: Present your project in the interactive forum. Price calculator Together – with all the options for mastering, stems, albums, and bonus versions. Unsure if your mix is ready? Then get started with the Test mastering for €10.
How much does mastering cost per song? Price list overview (as of June 2026)
The following prices are taken directly from our website. Mixing and mastering prices and apply per song or per stem, including VAT:
| Offering | Analog | Digital |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo mastering (1 stereo track) | €89 per song | €65 per song |
| Stem mastering (at least 2 stems) | From €55 per stem · €110 for 2 stems · €150 for 3–5 stems | From €44,50 per stem · max. €115 for 3–5 stems |
| Streaming master (Spotify & Co.) | such as stereo or stem mastering | such as stereo or stem mastering |
| Test Mastering (Stereo) | 10 € | |
| DDP image for the pressing plant | 60 € per DDP | 60 € per DDP |
Stereo mastering also includes two revision versions – so you can have adjustments made without incurring additional costs. The difference between analog mastering and digital mastering lies in the use of external Outboard equipmentThe digital version works completely "in the box" and is therefore cheaper – studio, room and engineer remain the same.
However, if you're unsure which version suits your song: With the Test mastering for €10 You will receive a hand-mastered sound preview of your track in advance, allowing you to compare it at your leisure before booking the full master.
EP & Album: How much do multiple tracks cost?
Tiered pricing applies from five tracks onwards – the more songs, the cheaper the individual track becomes:
| project size | Analog (special offer price) | Digital |
|---|---|---|
| EP / Album with 5 or more tracks | €80 per track (regularly €89) | €63 per track |
| Album with 10 tracks or more | €75 per track (regularly €89) | €61 per track |
| Album with 15 tracks or more | €70 per track (regularly €89) | €59 per track |
Here too, two revisions per track are included. A 6-track EP in digital mastering therefore costs €378, a 12-track album €732. We explain in detail in the article why the total price for an album is higher than for a single, even with the discount, and what additional work is involved. Why album mastering is more expensive than single masteringIn short: An album needs not only the individual track master but also a consistent overall sound, balanced loudness across all tracks, and clean transitions.
So when your release is coming up, you can Get your album mastered and you get all tracks from one source – including sound matching over the entire duration.
What does the mastering price depend on?
The cost of mastering depends on a few, easily understandable factors:
Stereo or stems: A stereo master processes a finished mix. Stem mastering In contrast, we offer deeper interventions via subgroups (e.g., drums, bass, vocals, instruments) – more tracks mean more working time, hence the price per stem.
Analog or digital: External outboard equipment (hardwareCompressorsEQs require setup and real-time runs. Digital "in the box" solutions, on the other hand, are faster and therefore cost less. analog hardware makes a difference in soundWe will explain this in a separate article.
Number of tracks: For EPs and albums, the unit price decreases due to the tiered pricing, because the setup and sound direction are only developed once per project.
Quality of the mix: A clean mix can be improved directly. If, on the other hand, the mix has audible problems, we'll say so openly – a mix analysis (from €25) therefore clarifies in advance whether your song is ready for mastering.
Additional services: A press-ready DDP image Including CD text and pause times, the price is €60. Rush orders are also available as an overnight service for an additional fee.
By the way: Very cheap offers usually have a reason. We also explain transparently how reputable studio prices are structured – from labor time and equipment to reserves – in our article on... Pricing of online recording studios .
Want to hear how your track sounds with professional mastering? Upload your files for free – we'll take care of the rest!
How much does it cost to have a song mixed?
Mixing and mastering are two separate steps – and are therefore priced separately. Mixing starts with the individual tracks and is more complex than mastering the finished mix.
Analog online mixing: from €130 per song
Online mixing digital: from €120 per song
The final price also depends on the number of tracks, the quality of the raw material, and your specifications. For a complete package including analog mixing and mastering, you can roughly expect these price ranges, depending on the project size (example values from our pricing page, as of June 2026):
| Project scope | Mix including mastering |
|---|---|
| 10–20 tracks | 180–250 € |
| 21–30 tracks | 220–350 € |
| 31–40 tracks | 300–400 € |
| 41 and more tracks | 350 to approximately 500 € |
Editing (€50–130) and vocal tuning (€50–150) are available as needed. If your track doesn't yet have a finished mix, you can have it done with us. Get the song mixed – because mixing and mastering from one source saves coordination effort and ensures that both steps fit together seamlessly in terms of sound.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COST OF YOUR PROJECT?
Send us a message outlining your project scope – we'll give you a transparent quote for mixing and mastering. We typically respond within 3 hours (on weekdays).
- Personal point of contact
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You can reach us by phone from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
How much does AI mastering cost compared to engineering?
Automated mastering services are significantly cheaper – often just a few euros per track or a subscription fee. The difference, however, lies in the process: An algorithm applies preset-like processing to your mix without listening to the song in context. This might suffice for demos or quick interim results. An engineer, on the other hand, listens to your material as a whole, identifies mix issues, makes genre-specific decisions, and delivers revised versions until the result is satisfactory – this dialogue is precisely the aspect that no machine can replace.
Our tip: Don't just compare the price, but also the process. If you want to hear the difference yourself, the €10 test mastering is the cheapest way to compare a hand-crafted master to an automated one.
How to make your mastering cost less: five money-saving tips
A few simple levers can reduce costs without compromising the result:
Deliver a clean mix: The better the overall mix, the fewer correction rounds are needed. If you're unsure, the mix analysis, starting at €25, will determine in advance whether your song is ready.
Take advantage of tiered pricing: Those who have an EP or album mastered in one go pay significantly less per track than with individual bookings.
Choose the digital version: Same engineer, same room – just without analog outboard gear. This saves you €24 per song compared to the analog master.
Start with the Testmaster: Invest €10, listen to the result and then decide – that's how you avoid bad purchases.
Plan without express surcharge: Overnight service costs extra; however, if you give the service provider a few working days, you pay the list price.
Is professional mastering even worth it?
While mastering costs less than most other production costs, it determines how your song compares to commercial releases. Specifically, mastering ensures competitive loudness after the recording process. Loudness specifications of streaming servicesTonal balance across all playback systems, from smartphones to club sound systems, and a consistent sound across EPs or albums. Considering this, €65–89 per song is a manageable investment in the final and most audible step of your production.
Important for your budget planning: Include mastering in your release costs right from the start – just like artwork and distribution. Those who only look at the budget at the end tend to cut corners in the wrong place.
Conclusion: These are the mastering costs you can expect.
The question "How much does mastering cost?" can therefore be answered concretely: For a single song, the costs range from €65 (digital) to €89 (analog), for stem mastering from €89 to €150, and for album projects from €59 to €80 per track (as of June 2026, including VAT and two revisions). Mixing is an additional €120 to €130 per song if your track doesn't already have a finished mix. You can find all the details and current terms on our pricing page. If you'd like to hear what a professional master can do for your track first, start with the €10 test master – or you can order your master directly. Get the song mastered and convince you with the result.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the cost of professional mastering
How much does it cost to have a song mastered?
A single song costs €65 in digital and €89 in analog stereo mastering – including two revisions and VAT (as of June 2026).
How much does mixing and mastering cost together?
Depending on the number of tracks, a complete analog mix and master package costs roughly between €180 (10–20 tracks) and approximately €500 (over 40 tracks). Editing and vocal tuning are additional costs if required.
Why is analog mastering more expensive than digital mastering?
Analog mastering uses external hardware (EQs, compressors) that is set up for each song and processed in real time. Digital mastering, on the other hand, is done entirely on the computer and is therefore €24 cheaper per song – the engineer and listening room are the same.
How much does it cost to master an album?
Prices range from €59 per track (digital, from 15 tracks) to €80 per track (analog, from 5 tracks). A 12-track album in digital mastering, for example, costs €732 – including two revisions per track.
Can I test the mastering before booking?
Yes. The test mastering costs €10: You receive a hand-mastered sound preview of your song and can then decide at your leisure whether you want to book the full master.
Are change requests included in the price?
Yes – for stereo and album mastering, two revisions per track are included in the price.
