Mastering Decision Guide
What proof should a mastering process show before I trust it?
Mastering proof should show more than loudness. It should make clear what changed, why it changed, and whether the record translates outside one playback system. Useful proof shows controlled low end, stable stereo image, preserved musical intent, and a final version that still works at quiet volume. If that is unclear, review the mastering overview before choosing a lane.
Review the mastering overview or use the mastering checklist before choosing a lane.
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OutofPrint Label Submission Submit Music to OutofPrint OutofPrint is a Brooklyn-born label and cultural imprint translating thought and sound into form. If your record carries identity, movement, and a clear point of view, this is where...
OutofPrint Label Submission
Submit Music to OutofPrint
OutofPrint is a Brooklyn-born label and cultural imprint translating thought and sound into form. If your record carries identity, movement, and a clear point of view, this is where to send it.
Send music that lives near house, deep house, techno, disco, leftfield club music, or a neighboring sound with real shape behind it. If the song is strong but still needs work before release, you can still use this page to move toward the right next step.
Some tracks move toward label conversation. Some need a stronger premaster first. Some are better suited for mastering support before anything else. You send the music once. We review the record, the file quality, and the submission details, then tell you what should happen next.
What We Want To Hear
- Music with a clear identity and real emotional pull
- Club records with feeling, not just loudness
- Finished tracks or demos close enough to judge seriously
- Artists with a real world around the music
- Records that can survive mastering and release without losing themselves
What Not To Send
- Unfinished loops or sketch folders
- Uncleared remixes, bootlegs, or edits with no rights disclosure
- Tracks with obvious clipping or crushed limiters
- Generic demo dumps with no artist context
- Music with unclear ownership or no human creative direction behind it
Audio To Upload
- WAV is preferred
- 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz
- 24-bit preferred
- Stereo file
- No clipping, corrupted files, phone recordings, or tagged promo rips
Premaster Notes
- Leave the master limiter off if possible
- Keep true peak safely below -1.0 dB
- Do not over-compress the track to force volume
- Leave enough room for mastering
- If the file is already mastered, say so clearly
What To Include With The Track
Make the submission easy to understand in one pass. The more complete it is, the faster it can be reviewed.
- Artist name, track title, and version name
- Genre, BPM, and key if known
- City or scene
- Short artist bio
- Trackstack upload or private stream
- Social links and release history if any
- Rights note, collaborator note, and sample or remix disclosure
- Whether the track is unsigned
- Whether you want label consideration, mastering feedback, or both
Use this file name format when possible: Artist - Track Title - Version - BPM - Key.wav
Rights Need To Be Clear Before Anything Moves Forward
Only send music you own or control. If there are samples, collaborators, remix elements, edits, or covers involved, say that clearly when you submit. Sending a track to OutofPrint does not transfer rights. Nothing moves toward release until the ownership picture is clean.
What Happens After You Submit
Trackstack Intake
We check that the file, title, artist details, and submission notes are complete enough to review.
Label Fit Listen
We listen for identity, emotional pull, club use, and whether the record belongs in the world OutofPrint is building.
Audio Readiness Check
We check whether the file is already strong enough to release, or whether it needs mix, premaster, or mastering work first.
Decision
You may hear that it is not a fit, needs revision, deserves a deeper listen, fits mastering support first, or is worth continuing toward release conversation.
Follow-Up
If there is a clear fit, we may follow up through Trackstack or email with the next move.
Status You May See
Received
The track landed and has the basics needed for review.
Under Review
The record is being heard for label fit and file quality.
Needs Audio Revision
The song may have potential, but the file needs stronger prep first.
Needs Rights Clarification
The record cannot move until ownership or sample details are clear.
A&R Hold
The track deserves a deeper listen before a final answer.
Mastering Opportunity
The song may be strong enough to keep moving if the audio is handled first.
Release Consideration
The song and sound both feel close enough for the next label conversation.
Not a Fit
The submission is complete, but it does not belong on the label right now.
Accepted for Next Conversation
The next move is no longer just a demo review.
If The Song Is Strong But The Audio Is Not Ready
That does not automatically end the conversation. If the writing, feeling, or direction is there but the track still needs work before label review can go deeper, start with the mastering fit check. That keeps the next step clear instead of leaving the record in limbo.