Final master before you ship
Take a mix you are happy with and bring it up to release loudness without crushing the dynamics. Reference a track in the same lane and let the master settle the tonal balance for you.
MasteringMaster to match
Master to match
any reference track.
Drop in a rough mix and a track you want it to sound like. Get back a master that lands near the reference’s loudness and tonal balance, ready to preview and compare with your source. No plugin chain, no card.
Free tier · 30 credits / month · Lossless 24-bit WAV export.
How it works
Three steps from rough mix to finished master.
- Step 01
Upload your mix
Import a stereo mixdown into a project and choose Master. Leave some headroom and avoid heavy limiting on your master bus so there is room to shape the sound.
- Step 02
Add a reference
Choose another project audio version or upload a reference track. The reference sets the loudness and tonal balance the master aims for and is required before processing starts.
- Step 03
Master and export
Run reference mastering and compare the result with your source. Keep the result in your project or download it. Check your plan for available export formats.
What people use it for
Six ways creators master with HanoLab.
Match an album to one sound
Mixes that were tracked in different rooms on different days rarely agree on tone. Master each one against the same reference so the record reads as a single body of work, top to bottom.
Compare against a release reference
Choose a reference with the loudness and tonal balance you want for your release. Preview the result alongside your original mix before deciding which version to keep.
Lift a dull or quiet mix
A mix that sounds thin or sits too low next to other songs can be brought forward. Match it to a reference with the energy you were after and recover presence the original bounce was missing.
Keep an EP level across tracks
Listeners notice when track three is suddenly quieter than track two. Master the whole EP against a shared reference so loudness and tone stay consistent from the first song to the last.
Quick master for a demo
Sending a work-in-progress to a collaborator or a label? A fast reference master makes a rough idea sound finished enough to judge, without booking time you do not have yet.
Why HanoLab
A master you can point at a sound.
Reference-matched, not a preset
Instead of stamping a fixed curve on every song, the master listens to a reference and moves your mix toward its loudness and spectral balance. Each track gets shaped on its own terms.
A reference you choose
Choose a reference track from your project or upload one. Its loudness and tonal balance guide the result; compare the preview with your source before exporting.
Lossless WAV out
Every master exports as 24-bit WAV. No lossy re-encode sneaks in between your bounce and your delivery, so what you approve is exactly what you hand to a distributor or a client.
Finish your project
Apply reference mastering to project audio after generating or importing a track. Music generation, stem separation, and voice conversion are also available when you need them.
No plugin chain to babysit
There is nothing to install, license, or wire up in a particular order. You skip the EQ-comp-limiter stack and the hours of trial and error, and still land near a sound you can point to.
Credits, not seats
You pay for the masters you run, not a monthly seat that bills whether you use it or not. The free tier ships with enough credits to master a track and export it before you ever enter a card.
FAQ
Quick answers.
What makes a good reference track?
Pick a commercial release that already sounds the way you want your song to sit — similar genre, energy, and arrangement density. A clean, well-mastered track gives the master a clear target for loudness and tonal balance. Avoid heavily distorted or lo-fi references unless that is genuinely the sound you are chasing.
Do I have to provide a reference?
Yes. Choose another project audio version or upload a reference track before starting mastering. The reference guides loudness and tonal balance.
What loudness targets are supported?
The reference you provide sets the loudness and tonal balance the master aims for. Choose a reference that fits your intended release, then compare the result with your source.
What formats can I upload and export?
Import an MP3, WAV, FLAC, or M4A mix into a project. Preview the mastered result and check your plan for available download formats.
Can I master tracks for commercial release?
Yes. Commercial use is allowed on paid plans, so masters you make can go straight to a distributor, a sync placement, or a client deliverable. You own the audio you export. The free tier is for trying the workflow before you commit to a release.
How is this different from a one-click "loudness maximizer"?
A maximizer just pushes everything louder until it clips or pumps, with no sense of what the song should sound like. Reference mastering moves your track toward a real target — the loudness and tonal balance of the reference you provide — so it gets louder where it should and stays balanced everywhere else. The result is a master, not just a hotter file.
Master your first track today.
30 free credits. No card. Match a reference, compare the preview, and check available export formats.