Mixing & Mastering: Technical Requirements
Mixing & Mastering: Technical Requirements
Before making an order for our MIXING AND MASTERING, please read carefully our technical requirements:
- Original material should be provided in separate files, in WAVE 44.1 kHz/24 bit format
- All the tracks have to be exported in MONO (except specific cases like keys, loops and other tracks which require STEREO
- All the tracks have to be properly named, for example:
01 drums BD In
02 drums BD Out
03 drums SD
04 drums SD-B
05 drums Tom 10
06 drums Tom 14
07 drums HH
08 drums OH L
09 drums OH R
10 drums Ride
11 drums Room
12 bass Mic
13 bass DI
14 guitar 01 l
15 guitar 01 r
16 guitar solo
17 voc lead
18 voc back l
19 voc back r
- All the tracks start from the same point (single-start).
- Sampled drums should be also recorded in a standard midi-file or in Guitar Pro file (in Guitar Pro case it is better to save the rest of instruments, because a lot of information can be lost (f.e. changes of tempo).
- Each file should contain only one instrument (for example, a file with the left rhythm guitar should contain only the left rhythm guitar and nothing else, the file with the bass - only the bass, etc.).
- Turn off all processing on each track (EQ, compression, reverb, delay, etc.) before exporting each track. All the tracks should be paned in the center (50% L, 50% R).
IMPORTANT!
- Fit all the tracks properly! Do not let the appearance of digital clicks between the crossfades. If there are present parasitic sounds, clicks, fizzes etc., it is required to clean them before exporting. That will minimize possible problems during mixing and mastering.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGADING EACH INSTRUMENT
Drums
- Live drums are accepted without any treatments
- Sampled drums are accepted only in midi-file, or Guitar Pro file
- If it is not Guitar Pro format, then it is necessary to write it down in additional document or list with information on what note (figure) which drum/cymbal beats
- The same applies if there are tempo changes
- For cymbal chokes use individual notes, and write them down to the document or list
Guitars
- Guitar tracks or guitar direct-in tracks (DIs) are accepted without any treatments
- Guitar direct-in recordings (DIs) that need to be re-amped are necessary to record using a proper sound card with instrumental input (HiZ input), and should be recorded with enough input gain level avoiding clipping
- Use only a fresh set of strings during recording and set your guitar properly (tune, intonation, neck straightness etc.)
- Do not forget to check tune of your guitar during the recording process
- Avoid using cheap and crappy instrument cables
Bass
- There are the same requirements for bass guitar tracks as for the guitar tracks
- Bass guitar DIs are preferable
- We can also work with midi bass tracks and use our own VST libraries
Vocals
- Vocal tracks are accepted without any treatments
- If there are different types of vocal, then they need to be sorted, for example - one track should contain only growling, another one - screaming and the third – vocal etc.
- It’s better to record vocals with a proper condenser microphone or with a proper dynamic one
- Singalongs (gangs) are needed to be recorded by several people (rather than individually) and minimum with 3 doubles, or preferably 5.
- Back vocals should be recorded at least doubly (in order to pan them to the left and right channels, otherwise they will be lost in the center under the main vocals).
Additional information:
- If you are not perfect in matching with the tempo, then recorded parts are needed to BE EDITED by our sound engineer for additional price! The same applies to the vocals.
- Specify the tempo of each song in BPM. In case if there are tempo changes, specify them in additional document or list.
- Specify all of your preferences and wishes regarding the mix as much detailed as it possible in additional document.