A good mix doesn’t start in the mix engineer’s studio, but with you: with how you deliver your files. Messy or incomplete stems cost time, and time spent sorting things out isn’t spent on your music. With this checklist, your mix engineer can get started right away.

Stems or multitracks?

First, the terms. Multitracks are all the individual channels in your project: kick, snare, hi-hat, bass, every synth separately. Stems are groups of those: all drums together, all synths together, the lead vocal, the backing vocals.

At Foltaazje we mix from grouped stems by default. If a group has lots of different parts that each need attention — a drum kit, for example — deliver those as separate tracks instead. Not sure? Just ask before you export.

The checklist

1. Export everything from the same starting point

Let every stem start at bar 1 (or at exactly the same point) and export them all at the same length, even if an instrument only comes in later in the song. That way everything lines up as soon as it’s loaded.

2. WAV or AIFF, not mp3

Deliver uncompressed files: WAV or AIFF, at least 24-bit, at your project’s sample rate (usually 44.1 or 48 kHz). Mp3s and other compressed formats aren’t suitable for mixing.

3. Take everything off your master

Switch off limiters, compressors and other plug-ins on your master bus before exporting. That processing belongs to the mix and master, not to the stems.

4. Leave headroom: no clipping

Make sure no stem clips (goes into the red). Leave some room; as a guideline, peaks around -6 dBFS. Too quiet isn’t a problem, too loud is.

5. Effects: make a deliberate choice

Is an effect part of the sound, like a delay that carries the rhythm or a distorted synth? Then print it. Is it general space, like reverb on the vocal? Then deliver a dry version, and optionally a version with the effect as a reference. When in doubt: both.

6. Clear names

Give files recognisable names with a number in front, so they appear in the right order: 01_Drums, 02_Bass, 03_Synths, 04_LeadVocal. “Audio 17” and “Track 3 (bounce)” don’t help.

7. Send a reference

Also export your rough mix (your own version as it sounds now) and name one or two reference tracks by artists who sound the way you have in mind. It’s the fastest way to speak the same language.

8. Note tempo and key

Put the BPM and key in your email or in the folder name. If there are tempo changes, mention those too.

9. Write down what you want

What do you like about your own mix, what bothers you? Should the vocal come forward, the kick hit harder, the chorus open up? A few sentences help enormously.

10. One folder, one link

Put everything in one folder, zip it and send it via WeTransfer, Dropbox or Google Drive.

In short

Same start point and length for all stems
WAV or AIFF, 24-bit, your project’s sample rate
Nothing on the master bus
No clipping, peaks around -6 dBFS
Deliberate choices on effects: when in doubt, dry and wet
Clear, numbered file names
Rough mix and reference tracks included
BPM and key noted
Your wishes in a few sentences
Everything in one zip

Ready to mix?

Also read about the difference between mixing and mastering, or go straight to the rates and request your mix on our mixing & mastering page.