How Long to Master One Track?

[AlligatorMtn]

As some of you have seen my thread below - i'm trying to get my album finished...I've found some really cool places that have good credits and client lists so i've been looking more into them.

Some charge an hourly rate so I was wondering about how long does it take to master a song? Lets say the average song length is 3-4 minutes and no longer, shortest one clocks in right at 2:55 and the longest one hardly reaches 5 minutes.

[Cadbar]

Why don't you call them and get a "estimate"? Any mastering house should be able to do that for you. But keep in mind, a estimate is just that. Could be much long, i.e. more expensive depending on how good or bad the music is recorded in the first place. You could problably give them a "not to exceed".

[loudboy]

Most places we've used have a "per project" price.

For $400-600, you should be able to get a nice master for your project.

Loudboy

[wolf9309]

Right, you should probably call and give an estimate. I would say it shouldn't take more than 20-30 mins/song plus some extra time at the end to get everything verified.

[Sunbreak Music]

You should be able to get an estimate that will put you in the ballpark if you're budgeting.

Worrying about how long it takes isn't the right way to go.