Preparing Your Track for Mixing & Mastering
Mixing and mastering are meticulous processes that require surgical precision and attention to detail. To ensure the best possible sound, we need clean, properly exported files. Follow these simple guidelines before sending your project. Dry Stems Only: Export all tracks without processing — no EQ, compression, limiting, reverb, or stereo widening. Exceptions: Creative FX you want to preserve (e.g., a delay on vocals or a filter on synths) — leave them only if you're sure you don’t want them changed. Leave Headroom: The master output should not exceed 0 dB. Ideal peak level is between -3 and -6 dB to avoid clipping or distortion.
- File Formats: WAV, FLAC, or AIFF
- Bit Depth: 16, 24, or 32-bit (float)
- Sample Rate: 44.1kHz – 96kHz.
What to Include in Your Archive:
- All stems of your track (dry, exported individually)
- 2–3 reference songs
- Your rough mix (optional demo or preview)
- A text file with: track tempo (BPM), notes and wishes regarding sound, your contact info.
Place all files in a single compressed archive (ZIP or RAR) and upload it to any file-sharing platform (e.g., DropMeFiles or WeTransfer). Include the download link in your message to us. Use our Track Count Calculator to estimate the exact price for your project. *Reference tracks help us understand your vision but don’t guarantee an identical result — the final quality always depends on the source materials.
We work with audio exports, not DAW project files. This ensures full compatibility, regardless of which software you use (Ableton, FL Studio, Cubase, Logic, etc.).
Step 1: Clean Up the Mix
Open your mixer panel and disable all effects: EQs, compressors, limiters, reverbs, delays, wideners, FX inside VSTs like Kontakt, Omnisphere, Serum, etc.
Step 2: Check Output Levels
Play your full track and watch the master fader. If levels are peaking above 0 dB, pull down the master fader to create headroom and avoid distortion.
Step 3: Export Stems
Export all tracks individually: Format: WAV, Bit Depth: 24-bit or 32-bit float, Sample Rate: e.g. 48kHz. You can bounce tracks manually or use batch-export (depends on your DAW).
Step 4: Create the Final Archive
In the export folder, place the following files: All individual audio tracks, Your rough mix, 2–3 reference songs, A text file with BPM, requests, and your contact details. Then compress the folder into .zip or .rar, upload it to DropMeFiles, WeTransfer, or similar — and send us the link.