Contact us about your virtual session
Contact us about your virtual session

Pre-Virtual Session Checklist

To get the best results for your music, please follow these steps before sending your files. This ensures we spend our time perfecting your sound rather than fixing technical errors.

1. The Golden Rules (Universal)

  • WAV Only: No MP3s. Export in 32-bit float at the same Sample Rate as your project (e.g. 48kHz).(Please tell us what you have set this as.)

  • Dry vs. Wet (We prefer Dry):‍ ‍Dry: Please remove any reverbs or delays unless they are essential to the sound design.

    • Wet: Keep creative effects like distortion, unique filtering, or specific vocal "chops."

  • Headroom: Ensure your Master fader isn't hitting red. Aim for your peaks to sit around -3dB to -6dB.

  • No Limiters: Turn off any limiters or "soft clippers" on your Master track before exporting.

2. File Organization

Please don't send a folder full of "Audio_01" and "Track_12." Labeling saves us time!

  • Naming: Use clear names like “Kick_bpm_key_songname.wav, Snare_bpm_key_songname.wav, Main_Vocal_bpm_key_songname.wav, Lead_Synth_bpm_key_songname.wav.”

  • The ZIP: Put all files into one folder named ArtistName_bpm_key_songname.

  • The Extras: Include a Demo Mix (your current version) and 1-2 Reference Tracks (songs you want yours to sound like).

3. What to Include in Your Message

When you’re ready, send a link (Google Drive preferred) with the following info:

  1. Song BPM & Key (Essential for delays and tuning and timing).

  2. The "Vibe": Tell me in 3 words what you want (e.g., "Dark, Punchy, Warm").

  3. Specific Fixes: "Can you make the vocals pop more in the bridge?" or "The bass feels too muddy." “I want this to sound like ….”

  4. Type of microphone used : (ex; AT2020, Blue Yeti, sm57, sm7b, Rode NT1, U67)

4. How to Export from Your DAW

Since I work in FL Studio, I need "Stems" (individual tracks).

All tracks must start at Bar 1 (TIME CODE 0:00:00) so they line up perfectly when I drag them in.

Essential Export Steps BASED ON YOUR DAW :

  • FL Studio

    1. File > Export > WAV. In the dialog, check "Split Mixer Tracks." Ensure every sound is assigned to a unique Mixer Insert.

    2. Create a Folder: Choose a destination folder and name your file. Note: Using a new folder is crucial as it will generate many files . Put all files into one folder named ArtistName_bpm_key_songname.

    3. Configure Settings: In the rendering dialog, enable Split mixer tracks.

    4. Quality: Choose WAV.32Bit for high-quality stems. 

    5. Start Export: Click "Start" to export individual tracks, including mixer effects.

  • Desktop/Web Method (better quality than mobile) : Open your project in BandLab Studio. Click File > Download > Tracks. BandLab will process the mixdown and offer to download all tracks as individual WAV files.

    Mobile Method: Open your project on the mobile app. Go to the track view, select the three dots, and choose to export individual tracks. Stems on mobile may export as .m4a, which is smaller but lower quality than wav.

    • Put all files into one folder named ArtistName_bpm_key_songname.

  • File > Export Audio/Video. Change "Rendered Track" to "All Individual Tracks."

    Settings:

    • Render Start/Length: Ensure this covers the entire song, including reverb tails.

    • File Type: Select WAV.

    • Sample Rate/Bit Depth: Match your project settings (e.g., 44100 or 48000, 24-bit).

    • (Please tell me what you set these as.)

    • Disable Options: Turn off "Normalize," "Create Analysis File," and "Convert to Mono".

    • Put all files into one folder named ArtistName_bpm_key_songname.

  • Prepare the Session: Ensure all tracks are labeled clearly, as these names will be used for the files.

    Set the Cycle Range: Create a yellow cycle range at the top of the project that covers the entire song, from the start to the end of the reverb tails. Export All Tracks: Navigate to File > Export > [Number] Tracks as Audio Files (or use the shortcut Cmd+Shift+E). 

    Configure Settings: Range: Select "Export Cycle Range Only" to ensure all stems start and end at the same time for easy alignment in other DAWs. File Format: WAV. Bit Depth: 24-bit (standard for producers/engineers). 

    Bypass Plugins/Effects: Check that boxyou want dry stems. 

    Normalize: Off (prevents volume changes). 

    Include Volume/Pan Automation:Usually on, unless requested otherwise. 

    Export: Select a new folder for the files and click Export.

    • Put all files into one folder named ArtistName_bpm_key_songname.

  • Prepare Tracks: Ensure all tracks are labeled clearly and unwanted plugins are turned off if exporting dry tracks. 

    Consolidate: Select all audio, then go to Edit > Consolidate Clip (or Shift+Option+3) so all tracks start and end at the same time for perfect alignment. 

    Export Selected: Open the Clip List on the right, select the consolidated tracks, right-click, and select Export Clips as Files.

    Settings: Use WAV., 24-bit, and 48kHz. Select interleaved for stereo tracks and multiple mono for mono tracks. 

    Export Location: Choose a new dedicated folder - e.g., Put all files into one folder named (ArtistName_bpm_key_songname. ) to keep files organized.

  • Prepare the Session: Ensure all track volumes are set to provide headroom (peaks around ) and disable unnecessary effects. 

    Set the Cycle Area: Activate the cycle region (yellow bar) and drag it to cover the exact, full length of your song. 

    Solo the Track: Click the headphone (solo) icon on the track you want to bounce. 

    Export: Go to Share > Export Song to Disk. 

    Settings: Select WAV., 24-bit, and check the box for Export Cycle Area. Save: Name the file (e.g., "Drum Stem_bpm_key_songname"), choose a location, and export. 

    Repeat: Un-solo the track, solo the next one, and repeat until all tracks are exported.

    • Put all files into one folder named ArtistName_bpm_key_songname.

  • Prepare Tracks:Make sure all tracks start at the exact same time (0:00) so they align when imported into another DAW. You can use Tracks > Align Tracks > Align with Zero.

     Mute Tracks: Mute any tracks you do not want to include in the export. 

    Open Export Multiple: Go to File > Export > Export Multiple (or Ctrl+Shift+L / Cmd+Shift+L). 

    Configure Settings: Folder: Choose the destination folder. Format: Choose WAV.

    Split files based on: Select Tracks. Export: Click Export. Audacity will generate a file for each track, named based on the track name in the mixer. We ask that you label these in this format 

    • Put all files into one folder named ArtistName_bpm_key_songname.

  • Please contact us and we will walk you though how to get us the right files and formats. 

    • Labeling: Put all files into one folder named ArtistName_bpm_key_songname.

How to Review Your Mix

When I send you the first draft, Please do not listen to it for the first time on your phone speakers or through a social media preview.

To give me the best feedback, follow these steps:

1. The "First Listen" Rule

Listen to the track from start to finish without touching anything.

Don't look for "problems" yet—just feel the energy. Does it move you the way it's supposed to?

2. Test Multiple Environments

Before sending your revision list, listen in at least three different places:

  • Studio/Quality Headphones: To hear the fine details and textures.

  • The "Car Test": The ultimate test for low-end (bass) and overall balance.

  • Consumer Speakers: A Bluetooth speaker or home stereo to see how it translates to the general public.

3. Take Notes with Timestamps

Vague feedback like "The vocals sound weird in the middle" is hard to fix. Instead, be specific:

  • Good: "At 1:24, the delay on the vocal is a bit too loud."

  • Good: "Can we make the kick drum punchier throughout the whole song?"

4. Level Matching

When comparing my mix to your original demo, make sure they are playing at the same volume.

We often think "louder is better," but we want to make sure the quality of the mix is actually an improvement, not just a volume boost.

Revision Policy

My goal is to make sure you are 100% hyped on the final sound. To keep the project moving efficiently, I use the following revision structure:

  • Included Revisions: Every session includes Three (3) rounds of revisions at no extra cost.

  • What is a "Round"?: A round is a list of any number of tweaks (e.g., "turn the vocal up," "more bass in the chorus," "less reverb on the snare"). I recommend listening on multiple systems (car, headphones, phone) before sending your list.

  • Turnaround: Revision requests are typically completed within 24–48 hours.

  • Additional Edits: Any revisions requested after the first Three rounds, or major changes to the arrangement (like sending new vocal takes after the mix is started), will be subject to an additional fee of $5 per round.

Note: Please ensure your "Stems" are final before sending. Swapping out files (e.g., "I re-recorded the guitar") after I have already started the mix will count as a new session or an additional labor fee unless I ask for it to be done