Arclab - Mastering & Sound Design

The tube rack - It consists of the Gyraf G14, which gives me the musicality of a passive mastering EQ — one of the best-sounding equalizers ever made. The Culture Vulture gets useful if the music sounds too digital, blending it in at around 10% wet. The SPL Vitalizer is a modern classic, mostly used for stereo widening when needed. #arclabmastering #gyrafaudio #thermionicculture #splaudio #gyrafg14 #thermionicculturevulture #splvitalizer #mastering #masteringstudio #analogaudio

Here are a few recent studio pictures. I am truly grateful to be able to do what I am passionate about and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all musicians who entrust me with their music. The close collaboration about music and working together towards a common goal is one of the most motivating aspects besides my (too) obsessive search for the perfect sound. ✨ #arclab #mastering #sounddesign #spl #gyrafaudio #elysiaaudio #antelope #neumann #ssl #thermionicculture

The solid state rack - Or the elysia rack? Consisting of the Elysia Alpha Compressor and the Museq, these devices can add depth to music like no other hardware or plug-in can achieve, and they offer uncompromising sound quality. The Antelope Pure2 runs on 10 MHz precision, receiving a clock from the Mutec REF10 nano. Everything is connected through the SPL inserter. #arclabmastering #elysiaaudio #elysiaalphacompressor #museq #antelopeaudio #splaudio #mutecpro #mutec

Production tip: The 5 kHz area is critical to audio production and is highly sensitive to human hearing. It often causes a harsh sound in a mix. De-essing this region is key to achieving a warm and pleasant-sounding mix. I cannot emphasise enough how important this advice is. #arclabmastering #productiontips #musicproduction #audioproduction #mixing

Production tip: The groove in music happens beyond the grid. Many modern DAWs offer swing pools, and many plugins can create a groove by changing the milliseconds of delays for example. Alternatively, you can manually adjust the position of MIDI notes to create interesting grooves. Many more ways, but whatever you do, music that consists of perfectly set MIDI notes on a grid is often boring. #arclabmastering #musicproduction #productiontips #audioproduction #masteringstudio

Production tip: Delete your sounds! Before sending your mix, consider whether each element contributes to the bigger picture. It can be hard to get rid of sounds that you have spent time working on because you have already formed an emotional connection with them, but remember: less is more! #arclabmastering #productiontips #audioproduction #musicproducer #musicproduction

Support the label and artist buy the music on bandcamp: /album/vakuum-ep VAKUUM001 12". 140g Recycled Vinyl. Tracklist: A1 Confusion – Vakuum A2 Confusion – Bleep Blues A3 Confusion – Protovision B1 Confusion – Fog B2 Confusion – Intuitive B3 Confusion – DT229 Written & Produced by Confusion Design by Althaus Studio Vinyl Cut & Pressing by Matter Of Fact Mastered @arclab_mastering released december 5th, 2025 Confusion’s Vakuum EP lands as the initial release of a new imprint with the same name founded by the artist himself. The first release marks a six-track exploration in stripped-down, minimalist sound design. Raw machine energy and hypnotic repetition drive the record, each cut crafted with precision and clarity. The result is a deep, timeless release that embodies the essence of modular production: focused, uncompromising, and endlessly absorbing. A true statement of intent for both the label and the artist. The A1 title track sets the deep foundation with a tense ambient soundscape trip, before “Bleep Blues” continues with a sci-fi as well as drum heavy workout on the A2. Rounding off the A-side, “Protovision” explores unknown textured realms and highlighted stabs in key moments. On the B-side, “Fog” drives a journey between the dark and the light, with a rhythmic but moving lowend and an effective gritty lead, while the B2 continues with a stretched light pad fighting with a repetitive bleep. “DT229” closes the record, diving into broken rhythms and more melodic spheres. @confusion_raserei @vakuum_label @matteroffactvinyl

Production Tip: Start listening to reference tracks while mixing. The goal is not to copy the style or technical approach of others, but rather to use the tracks as examples of the proper balance of musical elements. „Mix blindness“ can occur when you listen to the same track for a long period and it misleads you when it comes to setting levels and the sonic character of the music. #arclabmastering #productiontips #musicproduction #audioproduction #mixing

Support the artist buy the music on bandcamp: /album/dreams-of-lucidity Berlin-based Argentinian DJ and Producer manu abeca, presents 'dreams of lucidity,' a deeply personal techno and ambient album that represents his minimalist philosophy, emotional presence, and instinctive approach to sound. 'dreams of lucidity' is an eight-track journey, a work shaped by introspection, movement, and the search for clarity within chaos. The LP moves between textured ambient passages and warm, restrained techno, providing an interplay of rhythm and stillness that mirrors the emotional contrasts of life. Each track explores a different facet of awareness, guiding the listener into an introspective experience. "look for what you notice and no one else sees" a gentle opening, inviting the listener into an emotional space. "spirals" introduces circular rhythms and evolving patterns that create a hypnotic pull. "inwards" is a grooving piece anchored by subtle, throbbing low-end, with tribal influences and melancholic harmonies, guiding the listener gently back into themselves.. "satono yu" blends tension and organic textures with a serene, meditative flow. "ether" has airy tonal fragments that give the sense of floating through an uplifting emotional space. "undefined susceptibility" creates a raw, powerful groove with delicate melodies, and expresses the beauty within uncertainty. Next, "primal flow" has warm, broken beat percussion and earthy rhythms that reconnect the listener with their primal instinct, grounding the album's drift. The closing track, “dreams of lucidity,” which also gives the LP its name, brings the journey full circle. Blending experimental synths and gentle atmospheres, searching for a clarity that never fully arrives. Mitwirkende veröffentlicht am 30. Januar 2026 written and produced by manu abeca mastered by Leon Bölting - Arclab Mastering artwork photography by Francisco Macfarlane artwork graphic design by Sofia Mastrogiacomo @manuabeca @franciscomacfarlane @sofia_mastrogiacomo @arclab_mastering

Production tip: Focus on the loudest elements in a mix, paying special attention to tonality. A kick drum, for example, is often one of the loudest elements, and atonalities in resonances can make a mix sound off. Remember that every resonance has a note, and identifying the incorrect notes in the mid frequencies can make a significant difference. #arclabmastering #productiontips #musicproduction #audioproduction #mixing

Kevin Eller - Gangsta EP 1. Let It Rip 2. Gangsta 3. Maganda Support the artist buy the music on bandcamp or be sassy and get it for free in this case: /album/gangsta-ep released, December 19th, 2025 Written and produced by @kevineller_ Mastered @arclab_mastering by Leon Bölting #ʜᴏᴜsᴇᴍᴜsɪᴄ #hardhouse #techhouse #berlinberlin

Production tip: Why is it always best to let a professional mastering engineer take care of the final steps? Aside from the very top of the industry, you are usually both the producer and the mixing engineer. At some point, your emotional connection to the music will become so strong that you will lose a clear perspective on it. A mastering engineer is detached and objective and will know what is best for your music. In addition, he will provide you with tips and tricks to improve your mixdowns. Happy Friday, everyone! #arclabmastering #productiontips #musicproduction #audioproduction #electronicmusic