MIX PREP
A few things that help mastering go smoothly. I suspect most mastering engineers would tell you the same, so this should help wherever your record ends up.
The short version: send me the mix everyone has approved. If it’s part of the mix leave it on. If it isn’t turn it off.
PRE-UPLOAD
CHECKLIST
BEFORE YOU BOUNCE
Leave your mix bus processing on. Compression, EQ, saturation and limiting are all part of the sound you signed off on.
Not sure about your limiter or clipper? Send me a second version with it bypassed and label it appropriately.
Turn off anything that’s only there to help you listen, like room or headphone correction, meters and reference plugins.
EXPORTING
Stereo WAV or AIFF at your session’s sample rate and the highest bit depth available.
No headroom target. 24-bit and 16-bit files shouldn’t clip. 32-bit float can go over 0 dBFS.
Nothing that’s been through an MP3 or other lossy format.
Keep the full tail. Print fades that are part of the song or tell me where they start.
SENDING
Name files with track number, artist, title and version.
Keep each project in one folder and send the files as they are. No zips or other archives.
EPs and albums: send the final track order and titles, plus ISRCs and UPC if you have them. Tell me if the vinyl or CD order is different.
Label alternates to match their main mix.
If you’ve been listening to a louder version, send it as a reference.
A well-organized and clearly-labeled stereo mix delivery for mastering.
ABOVE ALL
Listen to every file all the way through before you send it. Make sure it’s the right version, nothing is accidentally muted or soloed, nothing glitched and it sounds the way you want it to. If something’s off it’s worth fixing in the mix. I’m always happy to listen and give notes first.
Questions about any of this? Let me know and I’ll help out.
BOOK A SESSION
Sessions can be attended in the studio or handled remotely.