ROSE SONIC STUDIOS
Want us to mix your next single or album? The following tips will help make certain that your song/mix session is delivered to us properly and is right the first time.
MIXING PROJECTS
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I mix exclusively using Pro Tools/Logic Pro software. If your sessions are in any other DAW, you will need to export and, if necessary, consolidate each file making certain they all have the same starting point. Please check all edits and cross fades before bouncing/consolidating files. Also, make certain to by-pass any processing (eq, compression reverb, etc.) prior to bouncing. I need the "raw" audio files for maximum flexibility. This's also important for vocals with tuning, amp simulations, reverb, effects and any other destructive processing. (see No. 6 for important exceptions)
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Make sure that all files are named correctly. Some programs like Ableton Live will by default add the name of the song to the beginning of the file, followed by the name of the track. Disable this option or you can manually edit the filename after export. For example, change “Name of Song_Snare” to “Snare”
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For each individual track (kick, snare, bass, vocals) make sure the files are not clipping and also make sure they are not too quiet. Ideal volume is between -7 and -5 dB for each track.
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Make sure that mono tracks are exported in mono. Some programs will by default output everything to a stereo track which can add a great deal of time to the mix unnecessarily.
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Before sending Pro Tools/Logix Pro sessions, please confirm that all audio files are actually inside the "Audio Files" folder for that session. It's not uncommon to get sessions where some of the files were being written to or accessed from a different hard drive (usually the DAW's system drive) and are now missing. A quick easy way to check is by opening the drop down menu inside the regions bin and selecting "show full path". All files paths/names should begin with the name of the same hard drive you are working from. OR BEST WAY ---- is to "Save A Copy As" by clicking file on your Daw/software, selecting all audio and plugins components options before saving with anew name and then send that saved file.
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While I have a huge selection of plug-ins available, it's impossible to get them all. If you are using a particular plug-in for a vital sound or special effect, print it and give me both the original and "affected" versions and label them accordingly in a separate folder (example in said folder: Keys FX and Keys No FX).
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If there has been any sub-mixing of instrument groups to lower track counts, please make certain that all the pre-mixed individual tracks are included as well.
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Please include a copy of any working or rough mix that exists.
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Export your song tracks/stems in the format your used audio samples where recorded in (Anything resolution above 24bit depth and a 44.1kHz is the most common and adequate or if higher sample rate (48kHz or 96kHz) was used, export it in that sample rate.
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Use file sending sites like We Transfer, Hightail Express, or Dropbox. Please DONT SEND though google drive!
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Send the tracks to rosesonicstudios@gmail.com and please include the BPM and KEY of your song!
MASTERING PROJECTS
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Make sure that there are no effects on your master channel when you bounce (export) your song - Please bypass any limiter, compressor, or eq on the mix bus.
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Ideal mix bus volume/peaks should be somewhere between -6 and -3dB for headroom. If the peak level of your song is higher than -6dB and -3dB, reduce the levels of the single tracks rather than lowering the master fader. NOTE - We don’t ideally care about volume/peaks as long as you’re not CLIPPING in your master channel.
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On Export/bouncing, please do not normalize or apply any dither.
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Export your song in the format your used audio samples where recorded in (24 bit bit depth is the most common and adequate or if higher sample rate (48kHz or 96kHz) was used, export it in that sample rate.
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Use file sending sites like We Transfer, Hightail Express, or Dropbox. Please DONT SEND though google drive!
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Send the tracks to rosesonicstudios@gmail.com