File Prep
  • I prefer to receive stems of each element in the song treated as they have been treated throughout the production process, or as in the reference mix. These stems should very closely resemble the latest rough mix with all faders at Zero. This allows me to pick up where you left off instead of trying to figure out your routing, or starting from scratch on everything you’ve done throughout the production process.
    • Please include both wet and dry versions of vocals or anything you’re questioning. Optionally, you could create only dry stems, and include separate stems of reverbs and delays for reference. Or… You can send your session files in addition to stems. I have Pro Tools, Logic, Luna, Cubase/Nuendo, Studio One, and Reaper, so I can export anything additional that I end up needing.
    • Please send these stems as wav files that match your session sample/bit rate.
    • Not required, but It would be awesome if you could number the beginning of each file name (01, 02, 03, >) so they will import in the order listed below.
    • Also be sure to include the tempo, and/or a list of tempo changes with bar numbers.
    • Include the latest reference mix!
  • If you prefer sending a Pro Tools session, please follow these guidelines.
    • This session should very closely resemble the latest rough mix. If the rough mix was created on a console/outside of the pro tools session, please attempt to match rough balances within pro tools so I have a clear starting point.
    • Please commit any pitch correction, and/or any effects that you’re 100% attached to.
    • Leave FX sends/returns active just in case I need to clean up the audio sending to the effects.
    • Delete all muted clips/regions.
    • Stereo parts should be on stereo tracks, not multiple mono tracks.
    • Please rename all buses to a name that describes what the bus is being used for. (For example: If Bus 35-36 is going to a reverb, name the bus “Reverb”)
    • Delete any unnecessary/unused busses and I/O assignments in the I/O setup
    • All aux returns and/or Masters should come after/to the right of the tracks that are sending to them. 
    • Fx returns and main master at the bottom/far right of the session. 
    • Please also have the latest rough as the last track in the session.
    • It would be amazing to get the tracks in the order and colored as listed below.
  • Track Order
    • Drums (Dark Blue):
      • Kick, snare, hat, toms, overheads, room, etc
    • Electronic Drums (Light blue)
      • Kick, snare, toms/fills
    • Electronic Drum Hats/Cymbals (Yellow/Gold)
    • Percussion (Light blue)
    • Bass (brown)
    • Synth Bass (Purple)
    • Acoustic Guitars (Light Green)
    • Guitars (Green)
      • When possible, please combine multiple mics/amps for each part.
    • Piano (Blue)
    • Synths/Keys (Light Blue)
    • Horns/Strings/Additional Instrumentation (Orange)
    • SFX/Transition FX (Light Purple)
    • Vocal FX that could be considered being part of the instrumental (Pink)
    • Vocals (RED)
    • Background Vocals (Dark Red)