REGGAE MASTERING @ MATSUKA DUB STUDIO
Why Choose Matsuka Dub Studio for reggae mastering ?
If you want someone who understands your sound, you’re in the right place. With over 35 years of music-making, and experience working with mastering studios in France and abroad, Matsuka Dub has built a unique 4-step quality control process:
Mastered by a reggae specialist
Checked by a mainstream mastering engineer (TV, radio, cinema)
Played and reviewed by a reggae DJ on a sound system
Final touch-up by the reggae mastering engineer
This hybrid approach ensures your track connects with both reggae lovers and general listeners.
Pricing
Single Mastering: Custom pricing between €50 and €80 (VAT included)
EP / Album Mastering: Custom pricing — special bundles available.
Vinyl Pre-Master: €60–€80 per track (VAT included) – discounts for bundles (when included with standard digital mastering)
Stem Mastering: €100–€250 depending on stem count (4 to 12–16 stems)
Delivered Formats
Standard delivery: 48kHz / 24bit, with optional -1 dBTP (True Peak) : it is the current industry standard for streaming.
Need other formats ? (e.g. 44.1kHz / 16bit or high-resolution exports) Just ask — no extra charge in most cases.
Why -1 dB True Peak?
While not a strict standard, it helps reduce distortion when tracks are played through DJ gear, mixers, or systems with added EQ. For CD-ready tracks, we avoid exceeding -0.3 dBTP to prevent distortion on legacy players. Remember: Reggae mastering is not about loudness wars — it’s about headroom, warmth, and musical life.
Equipment
Sound card: Sonic Core Xite-1, Native 32 bit Sharc DSP. This soundcard is one of the best on the market and used by the most famous hollywood studio (eg Hans Zimmer for example). This ensures the best sound quality and the most transparent sound processing.
Studio Speakers: Genelec 1030 with calibrated subwoofer (main), Alesis Monitor One MKII (NS10 type) on Yamaha Amplifiers 492 (monitoring)
Control Room speakers: Auratone sound cube, Focal ST6, KRK VXT 8.
Processing software (DAW): we use Protools, Studio One or Reaper, as well as specialized software such as izotope’s RX. All those tools are proven reliable by the industry in terms of workflow, phase management and output quality. Eventhough they are all digital tools, there are differences in the way the summing is done, which is very important for mixing, as well as for the mastering process (for example, multiband processing or stem mastering).
Analog or Digital processing ?
We have tubetech preamps, pultec equalizers, ferrofish converters, but nowadays we mainly use quality plugins chosen for their specific colors and capabilities; with the aim of giving you the best sound that sounds both modern and analogic at the same time.
How long does it take ?
In general less than a week, but it can depend on the other mastering we have to do, the feedback that you get on your mix and the time it takes for you to improve it (if needed), or the possible holydays.
Our aim is not to deliver fast, but to deliver good quality.
Philosophy
We bring sound expertise, analog warmth, and fair pricing. Reggae has been our heart since 1989 : from managing a sound system in Paris « back in the days » to studio mastery today. We also worked in other styles (techno, goth rock, trance), but always returned to reggae because it is what feeds our soul.
Why Reggae-Specific Mastering?
Traditional mastering engineers — often trained in EDM or rock — don’t always grasp the unique needs of reggae and dub.
Reggae is about:
Heavy bass that moves air
Dynamic range that lets the groove breathe
Analog warmth and spatial depth that is compatible with sound systems requirements (sound systems generally prefer mono and sophisticated stereo often translate badly).
Matsuka Dub began mastering in-house after realizing that most studios delivered clean, but generic-sounding masters — missing the true reggae feel. This is what happened to our track « Reggae Energy »: it is made by a mainstream engineer and lacks a certain « reggae quality » that was present in the track, but disappeared from the master. This is what led us into begining our journey into reggae mastering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a vinyl pre-master ?
The final mastering for a vinyl is usually done by the vinyl press factory with specifications adapted to their specific gear.
For example, they will make bass frequencies become mono, and also cut some low frequencies and cut everything above 16Khz. They will also ensure that the track volume is set as it should be.
However, it is possible to do a vinyl pre-master that is different from the digital master, usually with higher dynamics. This ensures more control over the sound – which will be the same as your digital master – and a more pleasant experience to all vinyl lovers and sound systems.
What make the price vary ?
The quantity of tracks allows for bundles, ie lower prices. The mixing quality is also an important element. A bad mixing will be difficult to translate into a great mastering and will require more work and time to reach a better quality. That’s why we give important advices about what could be improved in your mix before processing the final master. That way, you save money and learn important mixing technics at the same time.
Is it possible to mix the track with Matsuka Dub Studio before the mastering ?
The recording process (eg drums, instruments, vocals) must be finalized and the tracks must be cleaned and quantized if needed. That’s why mixing is often done by the recording studio or the artist(s) themselves.
However, we understand the need to get a quote and, may be, a lower price than the recording studio, or simply try a different sound.
While Stem Mastering is the favorite approach because it is « almost like mixing », we will be happy discussing mixing needs with you.
What is stem mastering ?
if you are unsure about your mix, Stem Mastering may be what you need.
Stems are « groups » of sounds that allow the mastering engineer to dose the various elements. For example, typical stems will include a separate tracks for the bassline, the kick, the vocals. That way it is easier to dose those elements and reach higher levels in the master. However, Stem mixing includes « artistic decision making » and you must trust the taste and skills of the engineer because he will have to make decisions concerning the levels of the various elements. There may be disagreements between the artist and the sound engineer concerning elements such as the level of the kick or the equalization of the bass, so it takes longer to reach a final version that pleases everybody.
Stem mastering often includes the delivery of several options (for example, a version with a fat kick, another with a less fat kick, and so on), and this is why it is generally more expensive than classic mastering of a stereo track.