19/10/2015
I strive to start mixing as soon as possible after I've received the songs. I'm not using any presets or templates. I start from scratches every time and treat every mix in different way depending of what you want your music to sound like.
EXPORTING AND SENDING YOUR FILES
Mixing
Export your tracks as 32 or 24 bit wav/aif (not mp3) files starting from zero point in beginning of the song.
Export mono tracks as MONO and stereo tracks as STEREO.
Put different sounding guitars and synths on separate tracks.
Export guitars in mono panned to center (except if there is stereo pre effects like stereo delay etc.)
If you have vst plugins on tracks you can export both effected and raw tracks and make text file of vst's settings for me. In most cases it's best way to set all vst's in content during the mixing process.
Leave some headroom to avoid clipping.
Export synths and software drums as audio file. (Additional midi file can help mixing in some cases).
If songs have in the box drums I like them separated preferably to room, overheads, snare, kick, individual toms and more if possible.
Naturally recorded real drums each mic in own mono track. Mark overhead and room mic tracks as overhead/room-hihat and overhead/room-ride. Not left and right.
If songs are recorded to grid create and export tempo track or other information of tempo and tempo changes.
Put each song in own folder. No sub-folders.
Before sending files check them through.
You can include rouch mixes of the songs to give guidelines.
Mastering
Export full mix or stems as 32 or 24 bit(wav or aif).
Export without any mastering plugins you might have used during mixing (compressors, limiters, EQs etc).
Leave some dbs headroom to avoid clipping.
If songs are recorded to grid create and export tempo track or other information of tempo and tempo changes.
Include text file of track order and codes you want added into final wav files. Add also possible info of mount of empty space after the songs.
