I've done some listening online and it seems like if we send them a good mix and some general guidelines/comparisons I won't need to be there. So sending it out is the idea. We have not stipulated a budget, but it seems quite important so for 5 songs I guess 300 bucks? (give or take) I've found as low as 15$ a song, and as high as $185 an hour. Masterdisk has an indie program, and they have done some big names. Here is how thier program works: (from thier site) "Masterdisk apprentice engineers work along side senior engineers. Apprentice engineers use the same vintage and state-of-the-art mastering gear and know many of the tricks to create the wall of sound Masterdisk is famous for. Each project will be reviewed by a senior engineer before it leaves the door, so you know your project is in good ears." I emailed them for a quote, but haven't gotten a response yet. A friends band mastered with Doug Levine over at Masterdisk and it sounds great, but they paid over 1200 bucks. (for a full album)