PREP SHEET

Here are some guidelines to follow in order to help me get on a great mix as quickly as possible. I do all my mixing in Pro Tools, so there are different protocols for sending Pro Tools sessions than any other DAW.

Feel free to message/email with any other info you’d like to include – reference songs, specific treatments or overall vibe, general thoughts etc.

No Google Drive links please – They often arrive with files missing and cause headaches for everyone! Dropbox and WeTransfer are great, but if file size is an issue, just let me know and I can send you an upload link.

Pro Tools

  1. Delete any unused / muted tracks, only keep what is relevant (except for live drum multitracks where extra mics might be useful)
  2. All tracks should be clearly labeled according to instrument (Piano, E gtr 1, Ld Vox, etc.)
  3. Freeze (do not commit) any tracks with plugin processing (Rvox, Pro Q3, Vintageverb, etc.). Assume that I don’t have ANY plugins.
  4. Freeze all auxes (reverbs, bussing, etc.) & if it’s a complex session, please notate in track comments which channel(s) they pertain to
  5. Commit any Instrument tracks (Kontakt, Arturia, etc.)
  6. If you’ve tuned your vocal with the integrated Pro Tools ARA 2 Melodyne, please duplicate the track and commit a version with your tuning and a version without.
  7. Leave any Mix Bus processing on (active)
  8. Include your rough mix in the session, muted

When you’re ready, choose

  • File > Save Copy In
  • Audio Files – checked
  • Main Playlist only – checked

You can send this session folder. Thanks!

Non-Pro Tools

  • Disable all stereo bus processing before bouncing multi-tracks!!
    • Please indicate stereo bus processing and send screenshots of settings if important
  • Export all audio files as WAV (BWF) from the same start point (bar 1, beat 1, etc)
    • Reverbs and Delays as individual tracks
    • Only bounce busses (in addition to multi-tracks) if it is integral to the sound
    • Include bpm in folder name or email
    • If you’re using a tempo map, a screenshot or text file detailing tempo changes is helpful
    • Export tracks at the same sample rate and bit depth you’ve been working at
  • Include both wet and dry vocal tracks
    • Keep tuning on dry vocals
    • If possible, also send vocal tracks completely RAW (no EQ, compression, etc) in a separate folder so I have easy access to any files I may need if the WET isn’t doing the trick.
  • Recommended to bounce stacks of strings, horns, background vocals, etc as a stereo blend so I pick up where you left off (in addition to as multi-tracks)
  • If using Logic – please do not use ‘Export All Tracks As Audio’ feature as it always has issues. Instead, please bounce each track one at a time with all plugins and automation. Please bypass any master-buss plugins/limiting when you do this.
  • If using Ableton, please also include your session file (with all assets, samples etc. collected).
  • Please include the latest rough mix exactly as it is. Send what you’ve been listening to.
  • To save everyone time, please listen closely to the multitrack and compare it with the rough mix before you send it. Make sure the multitrack sounds very close to the rough mix, and that nothing is missing from the arrangement.

Thank you!

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