Preparing tracks for mix

Congratulations! You've finished tracking and you are ready to have your work mixed. Take a second, you've earned it. 

Here are a few thoughts, tips, and requests to make the transition to the mix phase go as smoothly as possible. Please take a second to read through 

First things first - print your current tracking mix! I want to hear what you've been listening to, since you've probably heard it that way throughout much of the creation process. I don't care if it sounds like a garbled mess to your ears, it will help me understand your perspective and where we are starting from. Even though your music will likely change quite a bit during the mix, it will help me make choices based on your preferences.

Secondly, organize. If you want to send me a ProTools, Cubase, Nuendo, or Logic session file to mix, then take a few extra minutes to make sure that it is laid out in a way that makes sense to you. Even when sending WAV files as stems, ensure that the track names are easily understandable and simple. The very first thing I will do when I get the song up on my rig is reorder tracks and create logical groups. This is much easier to do if I don't have to guess what a part does or listen to it individually. But more importantly, it will help me understand how you've constructed the material and will give me a good sense of what I will need to accomplish. 

To that effect, feel free (and encouraged) to add labels or notes that give me a sense of your vision of the element in question. Referencing parts in songs you like will help me choose processing, panning, general level, etc. Even something as simple as "loud and huge" helps me understand that this part is important to telling the story as you've imagined it.

If there is a certain plug-in or other "special sauce" that makes or breaks a certain track, go ahead and print it down. There are so very many great plug-ins these days, and there is a good likelihood that I won't have the exact one that made that guitar or snare or whatever sound just right. But I might have something close, so providing me with the raw track as well can help me recreate it within my own workstation for some added flexibility.

At this point, you're ready to send the files off for mixing. Assemble them into a folder and compress (or zip in Windows) the files to make sure they are not damaged in transport. Once ready, I will send you a transfer link to upload the files to my studio.

Lastly, and most importantly, communication is key. I want to understand your vision of the song and the record as a whole (if it applies). Let me know what you like listening to and what bugs you. Feel free to make comments and ask questions during the process. I would much rather take a small amount of time getting to know your expectations up front rather than undoing work after the first mixes have been printed. Similarly, try to set aside some of those expectations and allow this process to ebb and flow naturally. Give me the benefit of a fresh perspective and don't insist on changes simply because it is different than predicted. 

Thank you, sincerely, for reading! Please feel free to ask any further questions though the site inquiry and I look forward to working with you!