Service · Berlin
Mixing & Mastering in Berlin
Hybrid mixing and mastering — Cubase at the center, analog hardware chains for warmth and flavor. Finished records that translate from headphones to club PA to a car on the Autobahn.
Approach
Hybrid by Design
Every mix and master that leaves the room is built on a hybrid signal path. Cubase is the DAW at the center — fast, deeply scriptable with macros and modulators, with a stable mix engine we trust under deadline. Around it sits a curated set of analog outboard: bus compressors, EQs, saturation and conversion that does in two knob turns what would take ten plugins to approximate.
The point isn't analog for its own sake. The point is that the right tool for each decision is on the desk — sometimes a hardware compressor for the way it leans into a vocal, sometimes a digital EQ for the surgical move only it can make. We pick by ear, not by ideology.
Mixing
Mixes that Breathe and Translate
A mix is finished when it tells the same story on every system. We work for balance and depth first, then character — clearing the centre for what matters, putting motion in the sides, leaving headroom that lets the master breathe rather than forcing the loudness later.
- Multitrack mixing from your tracking sessions or from a recording done elsewhere.
- Two structured revision rounds included; further passes by quote.
- Stems, instrumental and TV mixes on request.
- Full Cubase session archive and recall for future revisits.
Mastering
Mastering for Streaming, Vinyl & Physical Release
Mastering is the last station for your music before it meets the world. We treat it musically rather than competitively — loudness is decided by the song, not by a target number. Separate masters can (but don't have to) be prepared for streaming, CD and (where it matters) a dedicated vinyl pre-master that respects the cutter's needs.
- Mastered for streaming (loudness as requested by artist).
- Dedicated vinyl pre-masters with side-aware sequencing.
- DDP / WAV deliveries for CD and physical release.
- ISRC embedding, metadata and per-track or stem mastering on request.
Full Production
EP & LP Package Pricing
When a project is being tracked, edited, mixed and mastered with us end-to-end, we move it onto Full Production package pricing rather than per-service rates. One quote covers the whole arc — tracking days, editing, mixing revisions and mastering deliverables — so you can budget the record before you start.
Packages exist on an EP basis (typically 3–6 songs) and on an LP basis (typically 8–12 songs). The exact shape depends on instrumentation, number of tracking days and how much pre-production is already in place. Tell us about the record and we'll come back with a single, transparent number.
Mix samples
Hear It in Context
Three mixes from a record tracked, mixed and mastered at Hot Milk — Adrian Raso & Fanfare Ciocărlia's The Devil Rides Again. Press play for the long version.
Featured project
The Devil Rides Again
Adrian Raso & Fanfare Ciocărlia
I've trusted Rob with my mixes for over four years, and I'm consistently impressed with the results. His passion for music, creative perspective, and collaborative approach make every project a pleasure. Revisions are handled quickly and professionally, and you always feel supported throughout the process. Rob remains my go-to mastering engineer and a recommendation I can make without hesitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a mix recorded somewhere else?
Yes — Hot Milk Studio regularly mixes recordings made elsewhere. Send the session as a Cubase, Pro Tools, Logic or Ableton project, or as labelled multitrack stems at the original sample rate, and we'll come back with a setup note before starting the mix.
How much does mixing or mastering cost at Hot Milk Studio in Berlin?
Unattended mixing at Hot Milk Studio is priced per song at €350 (plus 19% VAT), covering up to 64 tracks and two rounds of revisions. Unattended mastering at Hot Milk Studio is priced per song at €50 (plus 19% VAT). Projects combining recording, mixing and mastering are typically quoted as a Full Production package instead.
Do you master for vinyl?
Yes. Hot Milk Studio prepares a dedicated vinyl pre-master for every vinyl release, with sibilance handling, side-length awareness and cutter-friendly low end, and we coordinate directly with your chosen cutting studio when it helps.
Do you offer stem mastering?
Yes — usually three to five stems (drums, bass, music, vocals, FX) when the final mix can't be revisited. Stem mastering gives Hot Milk Studio more control over the master without reopening the mix itself.
What do I receive at the end of a mixing or mastering project?
Final masters in your required formats — WAV at source and delivery rates, DDP for CD, and a vinyl pre-master where relevant — plus instrumental and TV mixes if requested, and a tagged session archive for future recall.
How long does mixing or mastering take at Hot Milk Studio?
Turnaround for mixing or mastering at Hot Milk Studio is typically 2–4 days per song, depending on current workload and project complexity. Full Production packages are scheduled individually as part of the overall project timeline.
How does the EP or LP package work?
Hot Milk Studio's Full Production packages bundle tracking, editing, mixing and mastering for a defined EP or LP into a single quote. Scope — song count, tracking days, revision rounds and deliverables — is agreed up front, so the cost of the record is known before recording begins.
Let's plan a session together.
Tell us about the music, the players and the sound you'd like to hear back. We'll come back with a plan.
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