What files should I send to a mixing engineer?
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To ensure a professional result, you should provide a set of organized, high-resolution 'dry' audio files that are time-aligned and clearly labeled, along with reference materials to guide the engineer's creative decisions.
- 1.Consolidate all tracks into 'stems' that start at the exact same point (Bar 1, Beat 1), ensuring everything aligns perfectly when imported into a new project.
- 2.Export individual tracks as high-quality WAV or AIFF files (24-bit or 32-bit float, at the project’s original sample rate) with all non-creative processing like EQ, compression, and limiting turned off.
- 3.Provide a 'Rough Mix' and 2-3 reference tracks from professional artists to communicate the desired balance, energy, and sonic direction for the song.
- 4.Label every file clearly (e.g., '01_Kick_In', '02_Snare_Top', '14_Lead_Vocal') and include a simple text document with the song's BPM, key, and any specific notes.
- ×Do not send project files (like .als or .logicx) unless your engineer specifically requested them and you are sure they own the same plugins.
- ×Avoid normalizing your tracks upon export, as this can destroy the gain staging and headroom the engineer needs.
- ×Ensure all editing (comping, tuning, and timing corrections) is finalized before exporting; mixing is not the stage for fixing basic performance issues.
Include a 'Dry' and 'Wet' version of any highly creative track (like a heavily processed vocal or synth) so the engineer can hear your vision but still has the power to fix the underlying audio.
Based on AI training data — may not reflect current information.
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