GRIDWERK vs LANDR

LANDR is a black box.
GRIDWERK shows the work.

Both auto-master. The difference is what happens between drop and download. LANDR uploads to a server and applies an opaque chain. GRIDWERK runs the same kind of pipeline locally — visible, editable, stage-by-stage, with multi-format deliverables in one pass.

LANDR's strength

One-button mastering for the whole web.

LANDR has been doing auto mastering since 2014. The platform is mature, the brand is recognized, and the DSP distribution side is full-service.

Where GRIDWERK pulls ahead

Local. Visible. Editable. Routable.

See the chain. Move the stages. A/B against references inside the same window. Get all four formats in one bounce. Pull stems with Demucs locally before you master. Route through Mix Coach for spectral masking analysis.

01 MASTERING + WORKFLOW

What's in each, side by side.

FEATURE GRIDWERK LANDR NOTE
Mastering Both auto-master. Different philosophies (see below).
Visible signal chain GRIDWERK shows EQ / comp / limiter stages. LANDR is a black box.
Editable chain Move stages, swap modules, save presets.
Multi-format export in one bounce WAV / FLAC / MP3 / AAC at once.
Local processing Audio never leaves your machine.
Mix Coach (pre-master) Spectral masking heatmap before you master.
Reference track A/B GRIDWERK pulls from a YouTube link directly.
LUFS / dynamics / width readout
Stem separation LANDR has a separate paid tool; GRIDWERK includes Demucs locally.
Sample / project organization
VST plugin manager
DAW integration (Ableton/Maschine)
Sample clearance tracking
Distribution LANDR has full DSP distribution; GRIDWERK preps metadata for DistroKid/TuneCore.
Pricing $15/MO $25/MO GRIDWERK Pro (annual) covers mastering plus full library / business workflow, locally.

● = full support · ◐ = partial · ○ = not available. Comparison reflects LANDR's product as of 2026.

Why local mastering matters

Cloud mastering means your unreleased music gets uploaded, processed, and stored on someone else's server. Local mastering means none of that happens. The audio never leaves your machine. There's no queue, no per-minute pricing, no "service degraded" page. And because the chain is visible and editable, you can actually learn what your mastering choices are doing — instead of treating the master as something that gets done to your track.

LANDR is a trademark of LANDR Audio Inc. Referenced here for descriptive comparison only; GRIDWERK is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by LANDR.

09 EARLY ACCESS

Stop juggling tools.
Ship more music.

GRIDWERK is in private build. Drop your email — you'll get the install link the day it ships, plus a founding-member rate locked in.

Windows first. macOS after. No spam — one launch ping, one founder offer.