Cycle Studio Zagreb - Professional Mixing and Mastering

Welcome to Cycle Studio Zagreb, your final destination for professional music production. Whether you are an experienced music producer, a band, or a beginner looking to take your music to the next level, you are in the right place.

Art & Science

Music is in equal measure "art and science" and this is why our team members are formally educated in audio engineering, while also being long-time creators of their own music. This combination of technical knowledge, practical experience and an understanding of the creative mind allows us to see both sides of the creative process and to offer unique, comprehensive support to our clients. Our engineers not only possess expert knowledge of the latest technologies and techniques, but also deeply understand artistic challenges and needs, which makes us a strong partner for all your production requirements. At Cycle, we focus on creating a sound that is not only technically flawless, but also emotionally powerful and artistically expressive. Mixing and mastering are two steps towards achieving that result.

"Can I get a mixmaster done at your studio?"

Of course :) However, allow us to clarify what this actually involves. The rise of YouTube tutorials offering all sorts of audio engineering advice has introduced a hybrid term into the professional jargon that often confuses artists. We are, of course, talking about the term "mixmaster" which young artists associate with a process that will transform a demo song into a "master" that sounds professional and stands comparison with other songs in clubs, on the radio, on YouTube and on streaming services. They are not wrong about that, of course, but understanding what lies behind the term makes it easier to navigate the stages of the process and to know what to expect from each of them. Put simply, these are two entirely separate stages in the production process of a song, an EP or an album.

What is mixing?

Mixing is the process of balancing and aligning all the elements of a song. The goal of a mix is to treat all the musical elements of the song (vocals, instruments and effects) so that every part can be heard clearly, while also fitting meaningfully into the wider picture of all the other elements — the soundscape of the entire song. The main tools for achieving harmony and dynamics are level adjustment, panning, equalisation, dynamic processing and effects, alongside many others used as needed. We use a carefully selected and calibrated combination of vintage analogue units (such as MCI JH500 channels, an ADR Express Limiter, an SSL G Series mixbus compressor or a BFE Filtek DV1175 summing amp) and modern digital tools to meet the needs of every kind of project. The main speakers in the control room are Klein & Hummel O300, while high-quality, transparent AD/DA conversion is handled by an Antelope Audio Orion 32+ gen4.

The result of the mixing process is a stereo file known as the "final mix", and at this stage the song sounds clear, balanced, harmonious and three-dimensional, and carries the power and feel the artist envisioned.

What it does not have is loudness. Welcome to mastering.

What is mastering?

Mastering is the final step of the production process, ensuring that your song sounds consistent across all devices and platforms, and that it has the same emotional effect on the listener whether it is heard on a phone or on a large club sound system. At this stage, another member of our team takes over the work on the song. We are aware that the modern practice is for the same person to handle every stage of the process, but allow us to explain why we have chosen to keep this practice from some earlier eras of music production.

The mix engineer will spend a certain amount of time working on the song, and through that process will gain intimate knowledge of every individual instrument, and of the strengths or problems of particular parts. Using the mixing tools mentioned above, the mix engineer will intervene on the individual channels to achieve the desired sonic and emotional balance and to eliminate the issues that were preventing the demo recording from reaching its potential. At the moment the goal is achieved, the mix engineer has taken the song to their maximum — let us call it "100%".

If, at this point, that same mix engineer were to start mastering the same song, it would be extremely difficult to step out of the "mixing" mindset, having spent all their time on the song in that mindset and having, in fact, already reached the maximum. The advantage of a scenario in which the song at the "final mix" stage is taken over by another person comes down to two key points:

• the baton is passed to someone with a fresh perspective and a new "pair of ears"
• the mastering engineer sees the "final mix" as the starting point, because it is the first stage at which they encounter the material

These two points ensure that the material is worked on in two separate stages, by two different pairs of ears and from two separate perspectives. Mixing is a micro perspective focused on the balance of elements within a single song, while mastering is a macro perspective that places the song in sonic balance with:

• all the other songs on the release
• the standards of the genre (for example, club dance music and jazz live in significantly different sonic contexts)
• the standards of different media (for example vinyl, streaming, audio CD) and playback systems (a phone, a hi-fi system, a club)

The mastering process further optimises the dynamic range and tone of the final mix, sets the song's final loudness, and gives the music the finishing professional polish that ensures it stands out wherever it is played.

So...

Mixing and mastering are two separate processes; they are closely connected and together form essential stages of every professional production. A quality mix lays the foundations for successful mastering, and an excellent master is nearly impossible to achieve without the structured interventions that belong to the domain of mixing.

Why choose Cycle Studio Zagreb?

Our engineers have years of industry experience and a deep understanding of musical trends and technologies. We treat every project as unique, ensuring that your vision remains at the centre of attention. We understand the importance of finishing on time and are committed to meeting your deadlines. For more information about past projects, please look here or read the reviews from our satisfied clients.

Pricing

The complexity of mixing projects varies from song to song and depends on the genre, the number of instruments, the initial quality of the material and the client's wishes, so mixing is charged by the hour, with one hour of work priced at €50. Where possible, we prefer clients to be present at mixing sessions so they can take an active part in the process. Mastering has a fixed price of €65 per song.

On average, most songs require between 4 and 6 hours of mixing, which comes to between €200 and €300, or between €265 and €365 together with mastering. This is, of course, an indicative price; we can send you a more precise quote as soon as we have listened to your demo and heard what you have in mind.

How to get started?

Our preferred way of getting in touch is through this simple contact form, which lets you attach your song straight away, along with a few essential details. We will listen to it and get back to you within one working day with a price estimate and further information.

Alternatively, contact us by email at studio@cycle.hr or by phone on +385 91 3303909. We look forward to seeing you in our studio.