MIXING PREPARATION

Use the following instructions for preparing your mix sessions to send to us. Choose the instructions that match the mixing/recording system you're using. Following these instructions will help minimize the time and cost required to mix your project.

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ProTools

In your ProTools sessions please label all track strips as clearly as possible. For instance, if there are lead and backing vocals you could label them Voc 1 etc., and BVoc1,2,3 etc. For instrumental parts just be as clear as possible. There is also a place for notes in Pro-Tools in the edit screen. Go to VIEW - EDIT WINDOW - COMMENTS; here you can make any notes for yourself and the mix engineer.

Before saving a copy of your session it is good to get rid of clutter. Go to the right of your edit window and click on the bottom corner of the screen. This will open the audio files menu so you can see everything you have done so far. When you are ready to save your project for mixing go to the region list at the top of the audio files. Choose SELECT - UNUSED AUDIO EXCEPT WHOLE FILES. All of the files that you are no longer using will be highlighted. Now, from the region list select CLEAR. A new dialog box will appear, click REMOVE. You have now removed 90% of the clutter in your session. A helpful YouTube video is available that shows you how to quickly and easily clean up and consolidate your ProTools project for transporting
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5-70HnOrChQ&watch_response

Now save the session with all the audio files. Go to FILE - SAVE AS and choose SAVE COPY IN. Be sure to select AUDIO FILES in the dialog box and save it to somewhere that you will remember and that has enough space for your full project.

Logic

For projects mixed in Logic, the FILE - SAVE AS PROJECT function allows you to save a project with all associated files. These are collectively known as the project assets. Activation of the INCLUDE ASSETS checkbox in the SAVE AS dialog will include the file types chosen in the ADVANCED OPTIONS. The ADVANCED OPTIONS checkboxes determine how files imported from external locations - locations outside the project folder - should be handled. You should turn on the COPY checkbox to choose the option to have all external files copied into the project folder. Turn on the COPY EXTERNAL AUDIO FILES TO PROJECT FOLDER checkbox to create copies of these in your project folder. Turn on the COPY EXS INSTRUMENTS TO PROJECT FOLDER and COPY EXS SAMPLES TO PROJECT FOLDER checkboxes, as well. Also turn on the COPY ULTRABEAT SAMPLES TO PROJECT FOLDER and SPACE DESIGNER IMPULSE RESPONSES TO PROJECT FOLDER checkboxes to create copies of these files in the project folder.

Once saved the project is safe and consolidated, allowing you to move or copy the entire project folder without losing any references that point to files within the folder. The project folder should be named according to the title of the track it contains.

Cubase

For your Cubase project you should include both the Cubase song file and all its associated audio files for every song. These files should all be located in the same folder or subfolders of that main folder, labeled with the song name.

Be sure to look through your audio files and eliminate unnecessary audio files (takes you didn't keep or parts no longer in use) to minimize the space your project will take up to make it quicker and easier to transfer. An easy way to do this is choose SAVE TO NEW FOLDER under the FILE menu. You will be asked to give the project a new name, which should be the song title, and you can then select the options to MINIMIZE AUDIO FILES and REMOVE UNUSED AUDIO, both of which will reduce the saved material to the absolute minimum required for the mixing project. Do NOT select FREEZE EDITS as this locks in all changes and won't allow additional adjustments to be made. If you saved any effects or channel presets, save those and send them along with your project as well.

GarageBand

For GarageBand projects you can simply provide us with the GarageBand file for each individual song you want mixed. We will open your GarageBand project in Logic for more professional mixing results.

Sequel

Sequel song mixes should be packed into Sequel project files for each individual song which can then be transferred to us. We will open your Sequel mixes in Cubase for more professional mixing results.

Other Mixing and Recording Software or Hardware/Portable Recording Systems

If you did your recording or mixing in a software program not listed above, or used a portable recording system, we can still help with your mixing project. First you will need to create a Platform-Independent Mix to send us. Essentially, you will be creating a separate audio file for each part/track within your mix so that we can reassemble the mix from scratch. Click to download instructions for creating Platform-Independent Mixes.

Helpful Hints For Getting the Best Results From Your Recorded Material and Mixes

• Take the time to set up your recording so everything comes out sounding clear and full and distortion free.
• Turn off all unnecessary electronic devices, fans, and other sources of noise when recording with microphones to avoid extra noise.
• Listen to songs by well-known artists with a sound style similar to your own to provide you with a guide for how to assemble your own tracks. Also, be sure to let us know which artist(s) you referenced so that we can finish your mix with the same sound style in mind.

"Sounds pretty awesome! Very satisfied with the work, its amazing. Thank you very much for all your support, definitely will work with you again."

-Eddie Zarate