Mix Prep Suggestions
1. session preferences:
-Let me know what sample rate (44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz etc) and bit depth (24bit, 32bit etc) your project was recorded at. The higher the sample rate and bit depth, the better, but if you recorded at 44.1kHz do not upsample the files to 48kHz. If not sure, let me know and I can help you out.
-If exporting or bouncing tracks, please have the file type coincide with the material that was recorded. For example, if you have a MONO bass or vocal track, please export it as a mono track, if the source is truly stereo, export it as a stereo track.
2. Label your tracks descriptively and logically
This seems like it should be a given, but for the love of all that is good, I can't tell you how many times I've opened a session or a folder where every track is labeled some variation of "Audio 1," "Audio 2," etc. Giving each track a helpful and functional label (Lead Vocal, Lead Vocal Dbl, Hi Hat, Synth Bass etc) will save hours over the course of a project and will save everyone time and energy. Please do not send any tracks labeled some variation of “Audio 1”, “Audio 2”, or “Guitar Idea”
If you're sending session files, placing markers to label song sections can also be handy to quickly zero in and find things within a mix.
3. Complete all necessary Edits, Comping and Tuning. Make sure all fades are in place.
Editing for timing and performance, comping takes, and tuning parts can be a very time-consuming part of the process. Taking care of as much of this ahead of time will leave things in a better place to really get to work.
Make commitments to sounds and parts. Make some decisions, and commit – or at the most, a couple of versions for me to choose between.
A word of advice on things like pitch correction, however: if this is something that is not your strong suit, let me know as I am very well versed at this and can help a great deal. If you’re doubting your work, a safety net can be a good thing, so include an untuned version with your files (clearly labeled as such, of course).
4. Clean up your session
Don’t send extraneous audio; clean up and fade in and out all your files before sending them off. An unknown click or pop because of a lazy edit can quickly become a proverbial needle in a haystack if you have a high track count. Delete unused tracks or files, and remove plugins from sessions that aren't going to be used. Removing unused plugins and automations (unless the automation is imperative to a part) will not only make the session easier to open, but allow things to be mix-ready.
If a plugin invokes a certain sound that is imperative to the part (certain reverbs, delays, filters, distortion etc) print a version of it, as I may not have that plugin. Include the original track as well in case I do have the plugin and want to make an alteration. If you have something going on that's a signature of the sound, give it to me, but otherwise remove any "mix"-type moves you may have made (EQ’s, compression, Effects etc.). Any questions, just drop me line.
5. Organize your files.
It’s beneficial to do a “Save As” and/or “Save Copy In” with only the necessary files used in the mix session
6. Include a rough mix
Include the most recent Mix that you have done that exhibits the direction you envision the song taking. Also feel free to include other song references that may help describe your sonic vision of the song.
Sending Files:
If providing a Pro Tools Session:
Please provide a link to download the sessions. Please send Pro-tools mix files a minimum of 48 hrs. prior to the mixing session date, earlier is preferable. It is preferable to have the files sent through hosts such as Dropbox, Google Drive, We Transfer, or any online transfer site. Please let me know if you encounter any problems or hiccups while sending files to be.
Other DAW Sessions (Logic, Cubase etc) or Audio Files only:
If you are not using Pro Tools, please contact me so we can discuss the best method of getting the audio for me to mix. After we discuss, files can be sent through hosts such as Dropbox, Google Drive, We Transfer, or any online transfer site. Please let me know if you encounter any problems or hiccups while sending files to be.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions while prepping your songs for mix. I am more than happy to help.