How to Prepare Your Tracks for a Mixing Engineer: A Step By Step Guide

Introduction

Before I can get started on mixing your song and making it sound its absolute best, I need your session files prepped in a way that allows me to work efficiently. This guide breaks down exactly what I need and how to get everything organized—no matter what DAW you’re using. This will save us both a ton of time, makes sure I get the tracks in a way where it’s easy to understand where everything goes, everything lines up, and I spend more time mixing your music.

Consolidate All Tracks to Start at Bar 1

Regardless of when the instrument or vocal enters in the song, I need every track consolidated to start at the very beginning of the session (Bar 1). This ensures everything lines up perfectly in my DAW without any guesswork.

• Why this matters: If one track starts halfway through the song, it might not line up properly when imported. Having all tracks start from the same point eliminates sync issues and keeps the process smooth.
• How to do this: The process will vary by DAW, but I’ll break it down below.

Turn Off Effects

I need the raw, unprocessed audio files. This means no effects like EQ, compression, reverb, or delay. I work best with the cleanest, driest recordings.

• Exceptions: If you’ve used effects that are crucial to the sound (e.g., a special vocal delay, vocal tuning, a guitar tone, synth or keyboard sound), feel free to include an additional copy of the track with effects applied. That way, I have a reference for the vibe you’re going for.

Use Clear, Descriptive Labels

Please avoid generic names like “Audio 1” or “Jim Take 14.” Instead, give each track a name that clearly describes the instrument, vocal, or mic placement. This speeds up the process and ensures I don’t have to guess which track is which.

• Proper labeling: Use names like “Lead Vocal,” “Snare Top,” “Kick In,” or “Bass DI.” If you used multiple mics on the same source (e.g., “Kick In” and “Kick Out”), make sure that’s reflected in the label.
• Why it matters: Well-labeled tracks mean I can get to work on mixing rather than playing detective.

Maintain Bit Depth and Sample Rate

Keep the bit depth and sample rate the same as your original recording. If you recorded at 24-bit/48kHz, send me those exact files—no conversions. Changing bit depth or sample rate can introduce unwanted artifacts or noise. It’s best to stay at the sample rate and bit depth you recorded at.

Mono vs. Stereo Tracks

One common issue I see is receiving stereo tracks for things that should be mono—especially with vocals. If you recorded with a single microphone, the track should be mono. Stereo files take up more space and aren’t necessary for a single mic recording. Side note on stems vs tracks. “Stems” was originally short for Stereo mixes, not the individual tracks. So if you made a print of all of the drum tracks, for example, it would be called a drum stem vs all of the individual drum tracks. I know some DAW’s and a lot of people use the terms interchangeably now, but I’m a little old school and still use the terms that way.

• Examples of tracks that should be mono: Vocals, bass guitar DI, any instrument recorded with one mic.
• When stereo is needed: Instruments that are mic’d with two microphones (e.g., drum overheads, piano with two mics, stereo synths), or a stereo print of effects or several instruments.
• How to fix this: Before exporting, check if your tracks are stereo when they don’t need to be. If you’re unsure how to change them to mono, I can help guide you through the process.

Tempo/BPM Information

If you recorded to a click track, include the exact BPM to help me sync everything. If your song varies in tempo, you can export the tempo changes as MIDI and include it with your files or include a list of exactly where and what the tempo changes are.

Include Session Notes (Optional)

Let me know if there are specific things you want highlighted or tweaked. For instance, if there’s a guitar part you want brought out or a particular vocal line you want to shine, jot that down. Session notes help me tailor the mix to your vision.

Clean Up Unnecessary Noise

Before sending your tracks over, it’s helpful if you remove any unwanted noise or dead air from the recordings. This can clean up unwanted amp noise or room noise in between parts. This will save time and let me focus more on mixing than on cleaning up.

Include Reference Tracks (Optional)

If you have any rough mixes or reference tracks that capture the vibe or sound you’re going for, send those along. It helps me understand the direction you want to take the mix, whether you’re aiming for a punchy, radio-ready sound or something more raw and organic.

How To Export Tracks From Your DAW

Here’s a breakdown of how to export your session files (tracks) in the most common DAWs:

How To Export Tracks From Pro Tools:

1. Consolidate all tracks: Select all the regions, making sure the selection is extended to bar 1. Then go to the Edit Menu > Consolidate Clip.
2. Export the tracks:
   • Highlight the entire session (from Bar 1) and go to Clips Menu (upper right corner of edit window) > Export Clips as Files (or hit Ctrl + shift + k on pc, cmd + shift + k on mac)
   • Choose WAV as the file type, interleaved as the format, and the bit depth and sample rate you recorded at.

How To Export Tracks From Logic Pro:

1. Bounce in place: Select all the tracks you want to export, then use the Bounce in Place function (Control + B) to consolidate each track so it starts at Bar 1. Uncheck the “Include Volume/Pan Automation” option. This will keep mono tracks mono instead of needlessly converting them to stereo.
2. Make Selection: Drag your selection from Bar 1 at the start of the song to a bar or two past the end of your song (this should catch any reverb tails if you happen to leave any effects on.)
3. Export:
   • Go to File > Export > All Tracks as Audio Files (shift+command+E). Alternatively, you can select the tracks you want to export and select “X tracks as Audio Files (command+E).
   • Choose WAV and make sure to export in the original bit depth/sample rate.
   • Bypass effects plugins (you can redo whatever tracks you want to include with effects). And turn off any normalization.

How To Export Tracks from Ableton Live:

1. Consolidate clips: If you haven’t already, highlight all the clips in your session, then go to Edit > Consolidate to ensure every track starts at the same point.
2. Export tracks:
   • Go to File > Export Audio/Video.
   • Under Rendered Track, select All Individual Tracks.
   • Set the format to WAV and keep the original sample rate and bit depth.
   • Remember to turn off “return and master effects.”

How To Export Tracks From Cubase:

1. Consolidate and bounce: Select all tracks and then use Audio > Bounce Selection to consolidate each track from Bar 1.
2. Export:
   • Go to File > Export > Audio Mixdown.
   • Choose WAV and keep the original bit depth and sample rate.

How To Export Tracks From Reaper:

1. Make Time Selection: Drag out your time selection from bar 1 to a measure or two past the end of the song.
2. Consolidate/Export:
   • Go to File > Consolidate/Export Tracks.
   • Choose “Time Selection” at the top, uncheck the “ignore silence” box, leave bit depth and sample rates at the settings you recorded at.
   • Choose your “output directory.” A new clearly named folder somewhere easy to find like on your desktop would work.
   • When you’re done, click Process.

Double-Check Before Sending

Before you send everything over, double-check the following:

• Are all tracks consolidated to Bar 1? Try importing them into a brand new session. Do they line up properly?
• Are the tracks properly labeled with descriptive names?
• Did you include raw tracks and processed versions where necessary?
• Are the bit depth and sample rate unchanged?
• Did you clean up any unnecessary noise?
• Did you export tracks as mono or stereo, depending on the source?

Following these steps ensures a smooth, efficient mixing process. It also means you’ll get the final mix back faster, with fewer revisions and adjustments needed. If anything’s unclear or you need help with the export process, feel free to reach out—I’m here to help!