File Prep

I mix with Pro Tools.

My main goal is to make sure I can recreate your rough mix as closely as possible for a common starting point.

To stay true to your vision, I prefer to receive: 

  • Consolidated and synced WAV or AIFF files per song with all processing engaged.

  • Consolidated and synced WAV or AIFF files of Vocal tracks per song with all processing disengaged (please leave tuning plugins on, though).

  • The DAW project session, including all related folders of audio files, etc.

  • A current bounce of the project, as a WAV or AIFF file, reflecting how the song sounded in your session at the end of tracking and production.

General Notes

  • Unless otherwise discussed, complete all editing, fading, comping, and tuning beforehand.

  • If you recorded to a click track/grid, please provide the BPM for the project. Providing the musical key of the song is also helpful!

  • If you have the lyrics typed up, I also love to have those on hand.

Delivering WAV or AIFF files 

  • Deliver consolidated audio tracks starting at an identical moment on the timeline using their original recorded sample rate, bit depth (32-bit or 24-bit preferred), and mono/stereo file type. Avoid normalization settings when exporting.

  • Name your audio tracks. Ensure the naming is translated to the files you export.

  • Add an underscore character and a number if multiple inputs were used for the same source. For example: GTR_1_Mic1.wav, GTR_1_Mic2.wav

  • For processed files, this includes, but is not limited to, volume, panning, EQ, compression, editing, fades, distortion, delay, reverb, tuning, etc.

  • Please include a copy of each vocal file without processing (all processing disabled except tuning plugins) for the best results. Name these as “Dry“ or “Unprocessed” in a separate folder.

  • For any plugins that have built-in "noise" (hiss, hum, tape sound, etc.), please turn off the "noise" if possible before delivery.

Deliver a DAW session

  • Again, complete all editing, fading, comping, and tuning beforehand unless otherwise discussed.

  • Ensure the session includes all of your audio files. Use the "Save Copy In" function in Pro Tools or "File > Project Management > Consolidate..." in Logic Pro X.

  • Before sharing the project session with me, I highly suggest freezing all tracks in your DAW. Freezing the tracks lets me pick up where you left off with the project. I have most plugin licenses that producers use, but this helps as a failsafe.

Testing YOur Files

As I said, my main goal is to recreate your rough mix as closely as possible for a common starting point. A great way to test whether your file prep is ready for mix is to create a new session in your DAW of choice, drop the processed audio files into that session and make sure it sounds relatively close to your source session. You don’t have to do this for every song, but it can help save back and forth later on if you know that the audio files you are sending sound how you think they sound.

Upload

Finally, archive all files by song into zip files (Song1Folder.zip, Song2Folder.zip, etc.) and send via a Dropbox shared folder, wetransfer.com, or another online file transfer service. Alternatively, upload directly to my Dropbox using the upload button below.