The Gradient

Standard Digital (DIG): Delivered as 16bit / 44.1khz WAV files. *Default delivery format.

• Suitable for radio and digital distribution such as Spotify and other streaming platforms.
• Required if you wish to have a CD Production Master made up.

Apple Digital Masters (Mastered for iTunes): Delivered as 24bit WAV files. Sample rate same as supplied source file.

• If you supply mixes at any resolution between 24 bit / 44.1kHz to 24 bit / 96kHz, we'll provide the master at the same resolution. Apple Digital Masters are optional, Apple Music and other digital distributors will accept Standard Digital Masters.
• Apple Digital Masters is an Apple initiative launched after the release of its new generation of AAC encoding tools that accept hi-resolution PCM sources. It includes a set of best practices for mastering specifically for Apple Music, and mastering houses/engineers need to be approved by Apple to provide them.

Vinyl Masters (VYN): Delivered as 24bit WAV files. Sample rate same as supplied source file with audio optimised for vinyl cuts.

CD Production Master (DDP): Delivered as a digital DDP file along with a 301 DDP Player. Created from 16bit / 44.1khz mastered WAV files.

• The CD Production Master (DDP) is the final sequenced EP or album master with gaps, fades and encoded metadata including CD text and ISRCs.
• DDP is a licensed standard for a Red Book Audio CD, and the format requested by a CD manufacturing plant.
• PreMaster CD (PMCD) available upon request.

Custom WAV Masters: Audio can be mastered to a specified target loudness to suits your needs.

• Opt for 16bit / 24bit
• Opt for 48khz / 88.2khz / 96khz
• Suitable for specific hi-resolution and video sync requirements, broadcast, long-term archiving

MP3: A file format that uses lossy file-compression. Suitable for uncritical listening and EPKs (Electronic Press Kits).

• Inferior sound quality to lossless formats (WAVS, AIFF etc) thus unsuitable for encoding into other formats.