Project Prep
Preparing your audio files properly before submitting them for mixing, mastering, or record cutting is crucial to achieving the best results. Our detailed guide provides essential tips and best practices to ensure your project is ready for professional production. From file formats and track labeling to optimal levels and metadata, we've got you covered. Follow our guidelines to streamline the process and maximize the quality of your final product.
1
File Format
Best formats to provide are (e.g., WAV, AIFF, Lossless, etc..) and recommend using the highest quality format available. Please avoid compressed files such as MP3’s, as they lose ~90% of the original fidelity.
When bouncing files, be sure to not process files such as “normalize” or “dither” formats to ensure the best quality mix and/or master.
Note the Sample Rate and Bit Depth of your files, and maintain the highest rates and depths you can. Remember, you can always go down, but can never go up. We suggest (e.g., 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 24-bit) to maintain consistency and quality throughout the audio processing stages.
2
Labeling Files
Please clearly name your files and folders to reflect the content in which they are, and also within a consistent naming convention(e.g., Instrumental_Track01, Vocals_Chorus_Take02). We also recommend including information whether it is Mono/Stereo, another sample rate other than 44.1k , or instruments that are DI/amp (if possible, include the name of the mic/amp used for the particular recorded file).
This helps in organizing and navigating your submissions more efficiently.
3
The Files (Tracks, Stems, etc...)
We recommend you provide individual track stems for each element of the project (e.g., separate tracks for vocals, guitars, drums, etc.), as this allows us more control over the mix. It is also best to bounce these track stems with no effect processing. We prefer to acquire the raw files/recordings. We encourage including any sound effects or routed effects that you may have already used that are currently shaping the sound.
We highly recommend you include any reference tracks you want the audio to be compared to or inspired by. Please provide notes to what/why specifically you like or dislike about these reference tracks. This gives us a better understanding of your stylistic preferences and the sound quality you are aiming for.
4
Bouncing Files
Proper gain staging: Ideally you should be bouncing from your stereo output buss fader/setting at 0dB(-12dBFS) unity gain.
We advise to ensure that your tracks are not clipping (the digital world can be deceiving). You should leave enough headroom to allow for proper mixing and mastering, typically a true peak no higher than -6dBFS.
The master buss (stereo buss) from which you bounce, should also be free of any processing (limiters, comps, etc…) for the best mastering results. Please provide those bounced versions though, as we will use those for reference to your sonic vision.
5
Submitting Files
Please provide any notes on specific edits, effects, or aspects of the tracks they want emphasized or altered. Detailed documentation can include tempo information, key signatures, and any other technical or creative details that will assist in the project's completion. Time/bar markered annotations can also help isolate specific areas to address in the mix and/or master.
We recommend putting all of these files into a single dedicated folder. You can attach all .wav files, as well as your appended notes. Please compress this folder as an archive (e.g., ZIP file) when sending all of these multiple files. This minimizes the chance of data loss and makes the transfer process easier.