PREPPING FOR MASTERING

  • Make sure your master bus isn’t clipping. If it is, lower the master output or stem groups equally until clipping stops.

    • Note, check for volume automation if lowering stem groups. If volume automation is enabled for a track use a Gain (Logic) or Utility (Ableton) plugin to lower the volume that way. Make sure all stem groups / tracks are lowered the same amount to retain the mix.

  • If your mix relies on a limiter, send the version with the limiter printed.

    • If you’d also like to provide a non-limited version, include a second bounce with the limiter bypassed and provide screenshots of the limiter settings.

  • Deliver files at the same sample rate and bit depth used in your session.

    • Do not up-sample or down-sample.

  • 24-bit or 32-bit files are ideal, but 16-bit is acceptable if that’s what you worked in.

    • Double-check that your DAW isn’t exporting at a default sample rate or bit depth that differs from your session settings.

  • WAV files are preferred

  • Use your preferred file-sharing service (Dropbox, WeTransfer, etc.)

    • Make sure links don’t require access approval or expire too quickly.

  • Clearly label folders so it’s obvious which files are intended for mastering and which are reference mixes.

    • example: “Song Idea 1-TO BE MASTERED” / “Song Idea 1-REF MIX”

  • Include final song titles and track order if available.

  • If specific transitions or sequencing are important, provide a reference sequence and screen-shot so they can be accurately recreated.

  • Listen to every file before sending to ensure everything is correct!

Exporting stems

  • Go through your session and organize each track in order by instrument group (Drums, Bass, Synth Bass, Guitars, etc)

  • Title / Label your tracks

    • numbering them in order after organization followed by track name is preferred - example: 1-Prophet Bass, 2-Oberheim Pads, 3-VS Choir, etc

  • Create a new folder where the stems can be exported to

  • Export all the tracks in your session (each DAW is slightly different for this process but here are YouTube guides for each one):

  • Do not bypass effect plug-ins unless these are to be re-created in the mixing phase

  • Include Volume / Pan Automation

  • DO NOT Normalize

  • Deliver files at the same sample rate and bit depth used in your session. Do not up-sample or down-sample.

    • 24-bit or 32-bit files are ideal

  • Wav files are preferred

  • Use your preferred file-sharing service (Dropbox, WeTransfer, etc.)

    • Make sure links don’t require access approval or expire too quickly.