Preparing Your Audio For Mixing
These instructions are also available for download from my downloads page.General Guidelines:
• Make sure to deliver all files relevant to the mix session at least 48 hours in advance or at the agreed to time.
• Files need to be 16, 32 or 24 bit at one of the following sample rates: 44.1 khz, 48 khz, 88.2 khz, 96 khz,
or 192 khz.
• For sessions in any other DAW format please provide WAV or AIFF files at the original session sample rate with all file/tracks having the same start time.
• Make sure to include the most up to date rough mix on a stereo track, on either the first or last track or as a separate stereo file (clearly named as “song name_rough mix”).
• Note the song's tempo in folder name, in a file name, on the rough mix file name or in a Read Me file (only if the song was recorded to a click or with sequenced elements).
Protools:
• If the track to be mixed was recorded in 2 separate sessions (example: vocal session and instrumental session) make sure to import all the relevant tracks and files into a single session. Do not send multiple sessions for a single mix.
• Delete all tracks that are not going to be used (send only the files that are needed).
• Delete any unused playlists that aren’t needed for the mix.
• Delete any unused audio files.
• Delete all muted or de-activated tracks from tracks.
• Clearly name all tracks and files (example: Kick, Snare, Synth 1, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Lead Vocal, Backup Vocal, Backup Vocal 2, etc.). Do not include song name in track / file names.
• Group similar tracks together (guitars together, vocals together, etc).
• Remove all Plug-ins from session but be sure to "print" or "process" VERY specific sounds/FX you wish to keep. Make sure to bounce any tracks with sound design or instrument/keyboard/drum plugins to new audio tracks.
• Remove all automation from the session. The only exception being if you have VERY specific panning, volume of FX moves on particular tracks that you want to keep.
• Auto-tune vocals - bounce down any vocal tracks with autotune on them to new tracks.
• Clean up your audio/tracks. Make sure that all your regions and edits have cross fades on them and the beginning and end of each file has the proper fade on it so there are no clicks and pops in the audio.
• Double check for any missing audio files.
• Verify that all your tracks/files are in sync.
• After you have completed all the above steps save a new version of your session in the following manner:
With your prepped and cleaned up session open in Protools go to "File" ----> "Save Copy In..."
This will open a new window. Make sure to select:
a. Your session's current sample rate, bit depth and file format (usually WAV).
b. Select "All Audio Files" in the "Items To Copy" section.
• Save this version of the session to a new location. THIS will be the session you will now Zip and send to me. I suggest using wetransfer.com.
From Other DAWs:
All of your audio tracks need to be continuous individual files, which means there should be no edits in any audio files. Each track needs to be one single file (or stereo file if that is the format your DAW uses). But before you bounce down, buss record (also called: 'bounce to disk', 'render', 'join' or 'make continuous') your individual tracks, you’ll need to prepare the multi-track session:
• Remove all plugins from each track, but be sure to "print" or "process" VERY specific sounds/FX you wish to keep. Make sure to bounce/render any tracks with sound design or instrument/keyboard/drum plugins to new audio tracks.
• All tracks/files need to begin at the same start-time or same time-stamp. Even if you have something on one track that only plays at the very end of the song, the bounce or render needs to begin at the same time - the very beginning beginning of your song - at the same start-point as all the other tracks/files.
• Don’t slam the audio levels when recording/rendering/bouncing to disk. Please leave me a couple of db head room.
• Do not send mono tracks as stereo tracks.
• Either WAV or AIF files are required. Bit depth can be 16, 32 or 24 bits. Sample rates can be: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 176.4 kHz or 192 kHz. Don’t change or up-sample before your render; just stay at the same bit depth and sample rate you’ve been using in your project.
The bottom line is, make sure this session is prepared so that it can be opened and mixing can begin.
After you get the first mix please observe the following guidelines:
• Listen to the mix on a good system you are familiar with and do a car stereo test in your car. Do not send mix tweaks based on listening on laptop speakers or earbuds.• When sending notes on the mix please compile all notes from the band or group into one single email. Only one representative from the band or group should be communicating regarding mix tweaks. Do not send a series of notes over several days. Listen carefully and put all your notes for that particular version of the mix into one email.
• If you have tweaks you want made at specific points in the song make sure to include a time stamp for where this is happening.
• If you need stems that is fine, however I charge extra, by the hour for these. Make sure you are very specific about what kind of stems you want.
Important:
Terms: A 50% deposit is required prior to the commencement of mix session(s). The balance is due upon your approval of all final mixes. No masters will be delivered until all fees are paid in full.The fee you have been quoted is for mixing only. If there is any additional tracking, editing, vocal track tuning, file clean up or session prep work that needs to happen during the mixing session there will be an additional hourly rate charged for the addition non-mixing work.
We are not responsible for long term storage of your media after the final mixes have been delivered. We will hold the session files on our hard drive for 2 months, after which they may be deleted. We suggest that you make multiple copies of the media for storage.
If you have any questions regarding preparation please contact us through our contact page. Send your phone number or Skype name as real human dialog is much better than email.