Frequently Asked Questions

MasterForge is a browser-based audio mastering platform that provides genre-specific mastering tools. Our tools use advanced audio processing algorithms optimized for different music genres like metal, EDM, hip-hop, and more.

Unlike traditional DAW plugins or studio mastering, MasterForge runs entirely in your web browser - no software installation required.

No. All audio processing happens locally in your web browser using the Web Audio API. Your files never leave your device during mastering.

This means:

• Your audio stays private
• No upload/download wait times
• Works offline once loaded

MasterForge supports most common audio formats:

• WAV - Recommended for best quality
• MP3 - Supported, but lossless preferred
• FLAC - Lossless, excellent quality
• OGG - Supported
• M4A/AAC - Supported

Audio mastering requires significant processing power. Since MasterForge processes audio locally on your device, performance depends on your hardware.

Why phones are slower:

• Mobile processors are less powerful than desktop CPUs
• Limited RAM may cause slower processing
• Battery-saving modes can throttle performance
• Mobile browsers may have less efficient audio APIs

We recommend these browsers for optimal performance:

• Google Chrome - Best overall performance
• Microsoft Edge - Excellent performance
• Firefox - Good performance
• Safari - Works, but may be slower

Make sure your browser is updated to the latest version for best results.

Yes! MasterForge is a Progressive Web App (PWA). Once you've loaded the app:

• Install it to your home screen/desktop
• Use it offline without internet connection
• All processing happens locally anyway

Note: You need internet connection to initially load the app and for account/subscription features.

Every music genre has unique sonic characteristics. A death metal track needs different EQ, compression, and limiting than a lo-fi hip-hop beat.

Our presets are carefully crafted for each subgenre:

• Metal presets: Optimized for heavy guitars, blast beats, and aggressive vocals
• EDM presets: Focused on bass, punchy kicks, and clean highs
• Hip-Hop presets: Emphasize bass, vocal clarity, and punch

This gives you better results than generic "one size fits all" mastering.

Recommended loudness targets for streaming platforms:

• Spotify: -14 LUFS
• Apple Music: -16 LUFS
• YouTube: -14 LUFS
• SoundCloud: No normalization

If your master is louder than these targets, streaming platforms will turn it down, potentially losing dynamics. Our presets are optimized for these standards.

Yes! You retain 100% ownership of your audio. MasterForge is just a tool - we have no claim over your music.

You can use your mastered tracks for:

• Commercial releases and streaming
• Sync licensing (TV, film, ads)
• Live performances
• Any other purpose you choose

No - mastering enhances sound quality, not song content.

Mastering improves:

• Loudness and dynamics
• Frequency balance (EQ)
• Clarity and punch
• Streaming platform readiness

Mastering does NOT change:

• The melody, lyrics, or arrangement
• The instruments or vocals in the track
• The fundamental genre or style

For best results, use presets that match your original song's style.

The free tier includes:

• Free Audio Analyzer (unlimited use)
• Basic mastering presets
• Standard export quality

Paid plans unlock additional presets, advanced features, and higher export quality.

You can cancel your subscription anytime:

• Log in to your account
• Go to Settings → Subscription
• Click "Cancel Subscription"

Your access continues until the end of your current billing period. No refunds for partial periods.

We accept payments through Stripe:

• Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay

All payments are securely processed by Stripe. We never see or store your card details.

Try these steps:

• Refresh the page (Ctrl+F5 or Cmd+Shift+R)
• Clear your browser cache
• Try a different browser
• Check if the audio file is corrupted
• Try a smaller file first to test

If issues persist, contact support with your browser version and device info.

This can happen due to:

• Format conversion: If exporting to MP3, some quality loss occurs
• Sample rate conversion: Export at the same sample rate as your source
• Playback system: Different speakers/headphones may sound different