Cloudbounce vs Landr: Which is the Better Digital Mastering Service?

In music production, mastering is preparing and transferring recorded audio to a data storage after creating the final mix.

This is the source from which all copies will be produced. The process requires precise listening, which is why mastering engineers have been doing it in high-tech studios.

Equalization, compression and limiting processes have been evolving over the years. As technology continues to improve in leaps and bounds, different instruments have been created to suit mastering including a set of algorithms which reduce the need of going to mastering studios these days.

In this article, I will look at the advantages and disadvantages of two of the most renowned online, cloud-based, automated mastering services; Cloudbounce and Landr. I hope to help you decide which one is between them is the better option for you.

Cloudbounce

Cloudbounce (review) is an online music mastering app that helps independent and upcoming artists polish on their music at a lower cost than that paid to mastering engineers.

It, however, doesn’t come out as a competitor to humans in a studio. Rather, it offers different priorities, advantages and of course disadvantages too.

Key Features of Cloudbounce

Cloudbounce offers a number of impressive features including a list of genre options for you to choose from.

While a layman probably won’t know what algorithmic difference there is between Tech House, EDM, Techno, Deep House, Drum, and Electro, a mastering engineer definitely would. The whole point of Cloudbounce is to let you master on your own without worrying about a lot of details.

The subscriptions feature in the platform gives you enough choices to make your most suiting decision. A $5 subscription lets you download any of your mastered tracks. Another $20 a month subscription gives you access to mastering an unlimited number of tracks for that month. A $100 subscription gives you unlimited mastering pass for a year.

Besides having several subscriptions to choose from, they also have a My Wallet feature which provides you with audio payment options on the platform. This also lets you pay the task providers who ensure that Al services are available to you.

The dashboard feature in Cloudbounce enables you to upload tracks for mastering singularly. It also gives you the instructions on how to do that through a quick access to FAQs on the platform.

In addition, the platform offers a My Tracks feature that gives you access to the tracks you have mastered using Cloudbounce. The platform stores your tracks unlike most other online masters letting you access them for future. You can monitor your progress through this feature as you advance.

You also get to download templates and a bunch of special content for free from the platform. The several instruments you need to master your tracks are also offered for free by Cloudbounce. Most online mastering platforms will not give you these instruments for free.

Before mastering, you prepare the mixdown which is the final output of a multitrack recording. This is the last step before mastering a track. Cloudbounce gives you the mixdown template for free.

How it works

The actual process is a bit complicated, but you do not need to worry about it, and that makes using Cloudbounce very easy. First you download the track you want to master and choose the genre you want to use for the track.

You then choose master with stereo width, louder, less bass, mid dip or warmer. After that, you leave the rest of the work to Cloudbounce and wait for the end product which you download for a fee depending on your subscription.

Price and plans

Cloudbounce is free to register. You only actually pay for the final product. The subscriptions are daily, monthly and annual, depending on your preferences.

In the daily subscription, you pay $5 to get back the track that you have mastered with Cloudbounce.

The monthly subscription is a $20 subscription that gives you unlimited mastering pass throughout the month.

If you prefer to pay only once a year, $100 will give you an unlimited number of tracks to master for a whole year.

Landr

Landr (review) is an online mastering platform for independent and upcoming artists who want the convenience of having their masters and distribution done in one place.

Before, it had a one-size-fits-all approach but the new options allow artists to have their songs polished in a variety of different sonic styles.

Key Features of Landr

The feature that many platforms don’t have is the main stepping stone for this platform. Landr’s distribution feature enables you to share your mastered tracks directly to Soundcloud. You can upload tracks by linking your Soundcloud account and landr will send your tracks there at no extra cost.

The platform also provides you with promotional tools especially a promotional link to your music making you market your songs easier. This lets your fans reach your tracks easily on their favourite streaming platforms. It also gives you insight on your progress in terms of traffic the links receive.

Landr also has a collaboration feature. You can share your work with other artists and producers and get feedback on it. This feature helps you improve your work as you get to know the opinion of other professionals on it. It also makes working with other artists(especially those far from you) easier.

Landr offers a samples feature. This feature lets you use samples from other producers when making your music. If your focus is production, you can use this to showcase your work. It works in benefit to everyone involved so Lndr has made it free and it is absolutely okay for you to use. You don’t need any clearance for that.

The Landr academy feature not only makes it easy for you to use the platform but also provides tips that you need in your career. It gives you useful information on promotions, mastering and even interviews with other artists.

Another exciting feature is the Landr Desktop App. Just like any other app, Landr’s aims at making work easier for you. It offers all the features as their website so you don’t miss out on anything. You can use the app alongside your production software so it comes in handy if produce music.

Another notable feature by Landr is their reporting feature. They provide you with solid data to track and make more informed decisions based on progress. Reports based on audience, streams and downloads lets you know how each track is doing.

Price and plans

Landr requires you to have a linked PayPal account to withdraw your payments from streaming platforms linked to your Landr account.

They have two payment plans based on your needs which lets you choose either a basic, advanced or pro plan for both.

1. Masters and Releases

The basic subscription goes for $6 a month or $48(32% off) per year. It offers :

• Unlimited LO-MP3s,
• $ 4.99 for HI-MP3,
• $8.99 for WAV and
• $17.99 for HD WAV.

An advanced $14 a month or $108(35% off) a year subscription is the most recommended. It offers:

• Unlimited LO-MP3s,
• unlimited HI-MP3s,
• $6.99 for WAV and
• $17.99 for HD WAV.

The Pro subscription will cost you $39 a month or $299 per year(37% off) and the offers are the definitely best.

• Unlimited LO-MP3s,
• unlimited HI-MP3s,
• Unlimited WAVs and
• HD WAV AT $17.99 for monthly subscription but unlimited for the annual subscription.

2. Releases only.

If all you need is the distribution services, this is the plan you should go with. The prices are based on the number of tracks you distribute using Landr:

• For 10 tracks, you can either pay $2 a month or $12(50% off) yearly
• For 30 tracks, you can either pay $3 a month or $24(33% off) yearly
• For unlimited tracks, you will pay $6 a month or $48(33% off) yearly

Check the Price of Landr Studio (20% for Our Readers)

What are the pros of Cloudbounce over Landr?

• Cloudbounce has a daily subscription which Landr does not which lets you do singular mastering at a considerable cost
• Cloudbounce offers free downloads you need for your work including templates and instruments. You have to pay for almost everything you need in Landr.

What are the pros of Landr over Cloudbounce?

• Landr has a distribution feature which lacks in Cloudeboune in addition to the share to Soundcloud feature.
• Landr has a desktop app making your work simpler. Cloudbounce only lets you work on their website.
• Landr’s collaboration feature enables you to work with other artists. The lack of such a feature in Cloudbounce confines every work to a personal level.
• Promotion of your work with Landr is extensive while Cloudbounce has limited promotion features.

Verdict

Both Cloudbounce and Landr are awesome music mastering platforms with each outdoing the other in its own way.

Landr is, however, a better platform considering it has more features, such as the distribution feature. Landr provides you with an all-in-one workplace. Although the prices are higher than Cloudbounce’s, what Landr has to offer is by far better and the price is definitely worth it.

However, depending on your needs, you should be in a position to make your independent verdict about the two and choose what you prefer most.

Check the Price of Landr Studio (20% for Our Readers)