Terms & Conditions:

SMACK MASTERING LLC
Thank you for considering us for your project! To ensure a seamless, professional workflow, all jobs booked with SMACK MASTERING LLC are bound by the following standard operating policies:

FILE FORMAT & DELIVERY SPECIFICATIONS

• Incoming Multitracks (Mixing): All raw tracks must be delivered as uncompressed, consolidated 24-bit WAV or AIFF files at their native sample rate (44.1kHz - 96kHz). 
• Sessions are limited to a maximum of 50 tracks (mono or stereo) under standard base rates; track counts exceeding this are subject to additional fees as listed on our rate sheet. 
• All files must start at the exact same timeline position (0:00) for automatic alignment.
• Incoming Stereo Mixes (Mastering-Only): Single tracks for mastering must be uncompressed 24-bit WAV files with a minimum of -3dB to - 6dB of headroom. 
• Master bus limiters and heavy clipping must be disabled before bouncing.
• Final Masters (Our Delivery): Upon project completion and final payment, you will receive industry-standard deliverables: One 24-bit/44.1kHz High-Resolution Stereo WAV master and one 320kbps MP3 file.
• Alternative Formats: Additional formats (such as 96kHz archive files) or alternative mixes (Instrumentals, Acapellas, TV tracks, Stem Mastering) must be requested upfront and will incur extra formatting fees as outlined on our rate sheet.
• Please ensure each track file name is labeled correctly to identify what it is: Kick, Snare, Bass, Guitar, Effects, Final Mix, etc.
• We do not accept project session files, such as Pro Tools or Logic, etc. Only raw audio files as specified.
• Client is responsible for correct file delivery; incorrect or corrupted files delay turnaround times.

REVISION & SCOPE POLICY

• Included Adjustments: 2 rounds of minor revisions. Revisions cover balance adjustments (e.g., tweaking vocal levels, adjusting bass EQ, changing effects spacing).
• All revision requests must be submitted within 7 days of draft delivery.
• Additional Revisions: Additional revision rounds beyond the included two will be billed at the standard rate of $50 per round per song for mixing and $20 per round per song for mastering.
• Structural Changes: Revisions do not cover structural track changes. Sending replacement audio files (e.g., re-recorded vocals or a completely new guitar solo) after work has commenced will incur an additional track-replacement fee.
• Bundle Stage Locking Policy: For Mix & Master bundles, once the final mix draft is officially approved by the Client and the project moves into the mastering stage, the mix is considered locked. Any request to return to the mixing stage to adjust individual multitracks after mastering has commenced will void the included bundle revisions. Re-opening the mix at this stage will incur a mandatory $100 recall fee per song, in addition to the standard $50 mix revision fee per song for exporting the new file.
• For projects with more than one song, all revisions are performed in rounds. Each round includes all songs as a whole. Once the included rounds are completed any additional revisions are charged per song as applicable. 

SONG METADATA

• Client is solely responsible for providing all correct song metadata as applicable (including exact spelling of Artist Name, Song Title, ISRC, and UPC codes) prior to final mastering execution.
• SMACK MASTERING LLC holds zero responsibility for streaming delays, financial losses, or re-distribution fees resulting from incorrect metadata provided by the Client or approved by the client on final review. Please review final deliverables before distribution of any kind.

TURNAROUND & DELIVERABLES

• Once a deposit is made, Client will be sent a secure Dropbox link to upload their files.
• Standard turnaround time for a first single song mix draft is within 1-2 weeks. Full album packages (12 songs) carry a standard turnaround time of 3-4 weeks for the first block of drafts.
• Rush service is available for an additional fee for turnarounds needed within 24-48 hours.
  Turnaround time begins only after both the deposit and all required files have been received.
• Client files will be kept for 30 days after job completion, after which time they may be deleted. SMACK MASTERING LLC does not archive Client projects indefinitely. It is the 
• Client's responsibility to archive their projects and deliverables.
• SMACK MASTERING LLC is not responsible for lost files after the 30-day retention policy.

PAYMENT & WORKFLOW PROTECTION

• A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to begin work. MP3 Review drafts will be delivered via Dropbox. High-resolution 24-bit WAV masters will be uploaded to Dropbox immediately after the remaining 50% balance invoice is paid in full.
• Ghosting Clause: If no feedback, adjustment notes, or communications are received within 7 consecutive days of any draft or revision delivery, the project will be officially marked as complete, and any remaining balance invoices will become instantly due.
• Deposits are non-refundable except at the sole discretion of SMACK MASTERING LLC.

CREDITS & PORTFOLIO

• The Client agrees to give the SMACK MASTERING LLC proper credit on all physical and digital releases (e.g., Mixed and Mastered by James Neylon at SMACK MASTERING LLC).
• SMACK MASTERING LLC retains the right to use short audio snippets or the completed mix of the song on its official website, social media, and portfolio platforms strictly for promotion and self-marketing purposes.
• Client may request exclusion from portfolio for confidentiality before deposit payment has been made.

COPYRIGHT, LIABILITY, & REFUNDS

• Content Clearing: The Client warrants that they own or have legally cleared 100% of the rights to all audio files, samples, loops, vocals, and musical content delivered to SMACK MASTERING LLC for processing.
• SMACK MASTERING LLC is not responsible for streaming platform errors, distribution errors, or upload issues. 
• Indemnification: The Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SMACK MASTERING LLC, and its owners from any and all legal claims, damages, lawsuits, or copyright infringement actions arising from the material provided by the Client. 
• Limitation of Liability: The maximum financial liability of SMACK MASTERING LLC for any dispute, creative disagreement, or claim related to this project shall never exceed the total dollar amount paid by the Client for this specific job.
• Refund Exception: If a full refund is requested by the client and approved by SMACK MASTERING LLC, all commercial release and distribution rights to the mix files provided by SMACK MASTERING LLC are instantly revoked.
• Any chargeback or payment reversal immediately revokes all usage, distribution, and commercial rights to any files delivered by SMACK MASTERING LLC.

Rate Terms & Additional Disclaimers

• Discount Policy: New client promotional discounts are strictly limited to one per  customer and cannot be combined, stacked, or applied to multiple concurrent projects.
• Full Album Package: Applies to albums with similar sounding material. Compilation albums are not included. 
• Discount and Bundle Policy: Applicable to independent artists only. Record labels, Film Studios and any B2B projects do not get discounts or bundles. Rates are billed as per our standard rates and will be quoted on a per project basis. 
• Smack Mastering LLC reserves the right to reject any project for any reason including abuse of our discount and bundle packages. 
• All projects are bound by our full Terms & Conditions. 
• Rates are subject to change. 

WEBSITE PRIVACY POLICY

Information Collection & Use

• SMACK MASTERING LLC collects basic personal identifying data (such as your name, email address, and audio files) strictly when you voluntarily submit them through our website contact forms or client onboarding pipelines. This information is used solely to communicate with you, fulfill your audio service orders, and process payments.

Data Security & Third-Party Processors

• We maintain industry-standard security protocols to protect your unreleased music files and data. Except for promotional portfolio uses explicitly authorized by the Client in our Terms & Conditions, SMACK MASTERING LLC never sells, rents, or shares your personal information or creative intellectual property with third parties. Financial transactions are securely handled using independent, industry-standard merchant processors. Your payment card data is never stored on our web servers.