A Guide to Preparing Your Track for Mixing
As an artist or producer, you know the thrill of laying down your tracks and bringing your vision to life. Now, to achieve that next-level polish, it’s time for the mixing stage. But before you send your session off, it’s crucial to prep it properly so your mix engineer has everything needed to make your music sound its best.
This guide walks you through the steps to export your session stems from any DAW as WAV files, ensuring a smooth transition into Pro Tools Ultimate (Vance’s DAW of choice) for mixing.
Why Proper Preparation Matters
When you send a well-prepared session, it saves time, avoids delays, and allows the mix engineer to focus on enhancing your sound instead of troubleshooting. By following these steps, you’ll streamline the process and set your track up for a truly professional mix.
Step 1: Organize Your Session
Before exporting, ensure your project is clean and organized:
- Name each track clearly (e.g., Lead Vocals, Guitar, Kick Drum). Avoid vague names like “Audio 1” or “Track 2” to help your engineer identify each element easily.
- Group and color-code tracks by instrument type if possible (vocals, drums, guitars, etc.), making the project more navigable.
- Remove muted or unused tracks to declutter and avoid confusion.
Step 2: Print and Export Any Effects (If Needed)
If you’ve applied effects you’d like kept in the final mix, you have two options:
- Print the effects (render them directly onto the track) so they’re embedded in the audio file.
- Include a “dry” version of the track without effects if you’d like the mix engineer to have control over adding them.
For example, if you love the sound of a reverb on your vocal, export both a version with the reverb and a dry version so your engineer can fine-tune as needed.
Step 3: Export Your Stems as WAV Files
To ensure compatibility with Pro Tools Ultimate, export each track as a high-quality WAV file. Follow these steps for different DAWs:
- Set the Format to WAV (or AIFF, if needed).
- Set the Sample Rate and Bit Depth to match your session, typically 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz at 24-bit or 32-bit for high-quality audio.
- Export All Tracks from the Same Starting Point:
- In most DAWs, set the start point to the very beginning of the session (usually 0:00) so each track aligns perfectly when imported into Pro Tools.
Here’s how to export stems in some popular DAWs:
- Logic Pro: Use File > Export > All Tracks as Audio Files and choose WAV format, setting the sample rate and bit depth.
- Ableton Live: Go to File > Export Audio/Video, select “All Individual Tracks” and choose WAV format.
- FL Studio: Under File > Export > All Playlist Tracks, choose WAV format and set sample rate and bit depth.
- Cubase: Go to File > Export > Audio Mixdown, select WAV format, and choose “Batch Export” to export all tracks simultaneously.
Make sure your DAW exports the entire length of each track, even if some tracks don’t start immediately. This ensures each file lines up properly in Pro Tools.
Step 4: Provide a Rough Mix
If you have a rough mix (a basic version of how you’d like the song to sound), include it in the files. This will give the engineer an idea of your vision for the track’s balance, effects, and overall vibe, making it easier to achieve a mix that matches your artistic intent.
Step 5: Create a Notes Document
In a simple text file, write down any instructions, special requests, or specific effects you’d like on certain tracks. Include information like:
- Preferred vocal effects (reverb, delay settings).
- Instrument panning requests.
- Any specific references or genres you want the mix to emulate.
A clear set of notes helps your engineer understand your creative direction right from the start.
Step 6: Compress and Send Your Files
After organizing and exporting, compress all files into a single zip folder:
- Create a new folder with the project name and date.
- Place your stems, rough mix, and notes inside.
- Compress the folder to reduce upload time.
Upload Options:
- Use services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer to upload the zip file and share a link with your mix engineer.
- Vance Vision supplies a Filepass link in the Upload section of this website.
Ready for a Pro Mix? Let’s Make Your Track Shine!
Vance Vision specializes in turning raw sessions into polished, radio-ready mixes. By preparing your track as outlined above, you’re setting the stage for a smooth and efficient process—and a final product that truly shines.
Contact us today to learn more about our mixing and mastering services and take your music to the next level.