How to Prepare Files for Mixing

Sending material for mixing? This guide will help you prepare files so the engineer can start working right away — without questions and delays.

Don’t know the terms?

If you encounter an unfamiliar term (DAW, stem, sample rate, clipping), check our studio glossary.

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Checklist Before Sending

• All tracks exported from the same point (bar 1 / 00:00:00 / “from zero”)
• WAV/AIFF format, 24-bit, 44.1kHz or higher (if tracks clip above 0dBFS — export in 32-bit float)
• No mastering on the master bus (skip master channel when exporting)
• Files named clearly
• Reference included (optional)
• Notes for the engineer

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File Formats

Required

Parameter	Minimum	Optimal
Format	WAV/AIFF	WAV/AIFF
Bit depth	24-bit	24-bit or 32-bit float
Sample rate	44.1 kHz	Same as your project (48kHz, 96kHz)

Don’t send MP3!

MP3 is a lossy format — it loses quality. Always WAV/AIFF for mixing.

What Does It Mean?

• WAV/AIFF — lossless audio formats
• 24-bit — bit depth giving ~144dB dynamic range, more than enough. However, if something goes above 0dBFS, export in 32-bit float to preserve that information
• Sample rate — we mainly work at 48kHz, but any sample rate is OK. Export at whatever your project is set to

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Exporting Tracks (Stems/Multitrack)

Rule #1: Everything from the Same Point

Every file must start from bar 1 / beat 1 / 00:00:00 of the project — colloquially “from zero.” Even if vocals come in at bar 16 — you export from the beginning. This way the engineer can import everything at once and it’s immediately synchronized, without guessing what goes where.

Rule #2: Skip the Master Bus When Exporting

Export tracks bypassing the master channel — most DAWs have this option. This way all plugins on the master (limiter, compressor, EQ) don’t affect the exported files.

Effects on individual tracks (reverb on vocals, compression on bass) — leave them if they’re part of the sound.

Completely raw tracks?

If you want to send tracks without any processing, use functions like “Bounce Selection” / “Consolidate” — this bypasses the entire mixer.

Rule #3: Headroom (Welcome)

Headroom of -6dB is welcome — track peaks don’t exceed -6dB, giving the engineer room to work. This isn’t a requirement though — more important is that nothing clips.

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How to Export from Popular DAWs

FL Studio

1. File → Export → Wave file
2. Check “Split mixer tracks”
3. Select 24-bit WAV
4. Export

Ableton Live

1. File → Export Audio/Video
2. Rendered Track: “All Individual Tracks”
3. Sample Rate: same as project
4. Bit Depth: 24
5. File Type: WAV

Logic Pro

1. File → Export → All Tracks as Audio Files
2. Format: WAV
3. Bit Depth: 24-bit
4. Check “Include Volume/Pan Automation”

Pro Tools

1. File → Bounce to Disk
2. Or: select tracks → Bounce

Cubase

1. File → Export → Audio Mixdown
2. Channel Selection: choose tracks
3. Uncheck “Master Bus”
4. Format: Wave, 24-bit

Studio One

1. Song → Export Stems
2. Select tracks to export
3. Format: Wave, 24-bit
4. Uncheck “Export through Master Bus”

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File Naming

Good

01_Vocal_Lead.wav
02_Vocal_Adlibs.wav
03_Vocal_Harmonies.wav
04_Beat.wav

Bad

Audio 1.wav
New Recording (3).wav
asdfgh.wav

Rules

• Number tracks (01, 02, 03…)
• Describe what it is (Vocal, Kick, Bass…)
• No special characters or spaces (use underscores)
• No symbols (!@#$%)

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Folder Structure

Artist_Name_-_Track_Title/
├── Stems/
│   ├── 01_Vocal_Lead.wav
│   ├── 02_Vocal_Adlibs.wav
│   ├── 03_Beat.wav
│   └── ...
├── Reference/
│   └── Example_track.mp3
├── NOTES.txt
└── Demo_mix.mp3 (optional)

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What to Include?

Reference (Optional, but Helpful)

A track that sounds like what you want yours to sound like. Can be:

• Link to Spotify/YouTube
• MP3 file

Write what you like about it: “I want reverb like this on vocals,” “this vocal-to-beat balance.”

Notes for the Engineer

Text file with information:

• Tempo (BPM)
• Key (optional)
• What’s important (“vocals should be upfront,” “bass should thump”)
• What to avoid (“I don’t want too much Auto-Tune”)
• Deadline (if any)

Example:

Artist: John Smith
Track: Track Title
Tempo: 140 BPM
Key: C minor

Notes:
- Vocals should be bright and upfront
- Chorus louder than verses
- Reference: Drake - God's Plan (vocal balance)

Deadline: January 15

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How to Send?

Several options:

• WeTransfer — up to 2GB free, easy to use
• Google Drive — share folder and accept access request (check notifications!)
• Dropbox — generate folder link
• Cloud drive — anything that allows sharing a link

File Size

A typical track (10-20 tracks, 3-4 minutes) is 200-500 MB. An album can be several GB.

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Common Mistakes

Exporting from Different Points

If one file starts from bar 1 and another from bar 5 — the engineer has to guess where things go. Always export everything from the same point.

Clipping

If a track exceeds 0dBFS, it’s distorted. Lower the volume before exporting or export in 32-bit float.

Sending DAW Project Files

Don’t send .flp, .als, .logic files — the engineer may not have your plugins. Always export to WAV/AIFF.

No Headroom

If your track peaks reach 0dBFS (red lights on meters), the engineer has no room to work. Nice if the signal peak is around -6dBFS — but not a requirement, more important that nothing clips.

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FAQ

Should I send dry and wet vocal versions?

Yes, if you have them — it’s useful. Dry = without effects, wet = with effects.

Should I send MIDI?

If you want the engineer to be able to change the instrument sound — yes. For standard vocal mixing — not needed.

How many tracks is too many?

There’s no limit. 5 tracks is few, 50 is a lot, but doable. The more tracks, the longer the mix takes.

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