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Preparing Stems for Mixing and Mastering

Properly prepared stems give the mixing engineer the flexibility needed to shape the sound without being limited by unnecessary processing. Incorrect exports or unnecessary processing can limit the options available during mixing. If you are requesting stem mastering, the same export principles generally apply.

Before Sending Your Project

Before exporting, make sure your stems meet the following requirements:

Stem Processing Export stems without EQ, compression, limiting, reverb, delay, or stereo processing unless the processing is an intentional part of the sound and should remain unchanged.
Creative FX Keep creative effects when they are an important part of the sound or production. If an effect needs to remain unchanged, leave it printed in the stem and mention it in your notes.
Levels Check that none of the stems clip. Do not normalize them or use limiting just to make them louder. Leave enough headroom for further processing.
File Format WAV, AIFF, or FLAC. WAV is preferred.
Bit Depth 24-bit or 32-bit float.
Sample Rate Keep the project's original sample rate. Common sample rates include 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz.

Put all stems and supporting files into a single ZIP or RAR archive. Upload the archive to a file-sharing service such as WeTransfer, then send us the download link.

Send Your Project

What to Include

  • All individual stems, exported according to the requirements above
  • 2–3 reference tracks that represent the sound you are aiming for
  • Your rough mix, if available
  • A text file with the BPM, project notes, and any specific instructions

Reference tracks help communicate the sonic direction you are aiming for, but the final result depends on the source material and the mix.

Follow these steps before exporting to make sure the stems are clean and properly prepared for mixing and mastering.

Preparing individual tracks for stem export
STEP 01

Clean Up the Mix

Review the processing on your individual tracks and buses before exporting. Disable EQ, compression, limiting, reverb, delay, and stereo processing unless they are part of the sound and need to remain unchanged. Keep creative effects that are important to the production.

Checking stem levels before export
STEP 02

Check Your Levels

Check the master output and individual stems for clipping. Do not normalize the files or use limiting just to make them louder. Leave enough headroom for further processing.

Exporting individual stems from the project
STEP 03

Export the Stems

Export each stem from the same start point so all files remain perfectly in sync. Use WAV, AIFF, or FLAC and keep the project's original sample rate. 24-bit or 32-bit float is recommended.

Preparing and sending stems for mixing and mastering
STEP 04

Prepare and Send the Project

Put all stems, your rough mix, reference tracks, and project notes into a single ZIP or RAR archive. Include the BPM and any specific instructions about creative effects or processing. Upload the archive and send us the download link.