Generally recognized considerations when sending tracks or a final stereo mix for processing.
CONSIDERATIONS COMMON TO BOTH MIXING AND MASTERING
Discuss with your audio engineer:
- The sample rate, bit rate, dBFS level, and file format that the audio engineer requires to work with your song.
- Any other information the audio engineer requires to work with your song (or album) for final stereo mixdown or for mastering.
- Your song's music genre, the type of “sound” that you’re hoping to achieve, etc.
- Your target audience (audiophiles, casual listeners, etc.) and distribution method (CD; MP3; download/streaming service; indy label; etc.).
- Your contact info
- Song title and basic production information, e.g., track sheets, notes, etc.
- Tempo, key, timecode settings, etc.
- The song lyrics
- If making an album, the album's song order, desired cross-fades, transition time between songs, etc.
- Anything else you think it's important for the audio engineer to know, e.g., important metadata (artist, producer, etc.)
FOR TRACKS GOING TO AN AUDIO ENGINEER FOR MIXING
- Record your tracks dry. Only exception: FX gear essential to the initial sound of your instrument(s)
- Fix your song's technical problems and issues prior to sending it out for mixdown.
- Use EQ, compression, and limiting very sparingly, if at all. Leave those decisions to the audio engineer doing your mix
- Consolidate your tracks by exporting them to Audio Depot (see last section of this post)
- Number and name your exported tracks, e.g., 01-Bass; 02-Lead Vox, etc.
FOR A FINAL STEREO MIX GOING TO AN AUDIO ENGINEER FOR MASTERING
- Fix your mix's technical problems and issues prior to sending it out for mastering.
- Use track FX, EQ, compression, and limiting in moderation during the mixdown process
- Don't apply EQ, compression, limiting, normalization or dithering to the final 2-track stereo mix going to the mastering engineer (e.g., on a DP-24/32/SD, don’t use the Mastering tools)
- Ask the mastering engineer if you should provide individual tracks - e.g. the vocals; a specific instrument - for use by the audio engineer if needed during mastering
HOW TO EXPORT TRACKS ON A DP-24/32/SD
ON YOUR DP-24/32/SD:
- Place your DP-24/32/SD in Multitrack Mode
- Press MENU, highlight AUDIO DEPOT
- Press the F4 button to open the DP-24/32/SD Audio Depot folder
- Press the F2 button to enter Export mode
- Use the F2 button and the Cursor Down Button to select tracks for export
- Press the F4 button, then the F2(YES) button to initiate the file export process
- When the export is completed, press the F1 button to return to the Audio Depot folder
- Confirm the Audio Depot Folder contains the exported files
- Press the Home button to return to multiteack mode
- Turn off your DP-24/32/SD
- With your DP-24/32/SD OFF, connect your DP24/32/SD to your computer using the supplied USB cable.
- Turn on your DP-24/32/SD
- Press Menu/USB/F4/F2(Yes) to connect the DP-24/32/SD and the computer
- OPEN the root folder of the removable DP-24/32/SD drive (if not already open)
- OPEN the Audio Depot Folder
- CREATE a folder on your computer using your ‘songname’ as the title
- OPEN the ‘songname’ folder on your computer
- COPY(or MOVE) the exported files from the DP-24/32/SD Audio Depot Folder to the ‘songname’ folder on your computer
- Follow your computer’s required procedure to disconnect it from your DP-24/32/SD
- After disconnecting from the computer, Press the F2(YES) button to close the link between your DP-24/32/SD and your computer
- Turn off your DP-24/32/SD
- Disconnect the USB cable from your computer
- Disconnect the USB cable from your DP24/32/SD
- RENAME the individual exported audio files so your audio engineer can easily identify the content (e.g., 01-Bass; 02-Lead Vox; etc.)
- Provide the renamed audio files (and your documentation file) to your audio engineer in the manner required (e.g., via upload to a cloud account)
CONNECT YOUR DP-24/32/SD AND YOUR COMPUTER:
- With your DP-24/32/SD OFF connect your DP24/32/SD to your computer using the supplied USB cable
- Turn on your DP-24/32/SD
- Press Menu/USB/F4/F2(Yes) to connect the DP-24/32/SD and the computer.
- OPEN the root folder of the removable DP-24/32/SD drive (if not already open)
- OPEN the {SONGNAME} Folder on the DP-24/32/SD drive
- CREATE a folder on your computer using your {SONGNAME} as the title
- OPEN the {SONGNAME} folder on your computer
- COPY the {SONGNAME}.wav file from the DP-24/32/SD {SONGNAME} folder to the {SONGNAME} folder on your computer.
- Follow your computer’s required procedure to disconnect it from your DP-24/32/SD
- After disconnecting from the computer, Press the F2(YES) button to close the link between your DP-24/32/SD and your computer
- Turn off your DP-24/32/SD
- Disconnect the USB cable from your computer
- Disconnect the USB cable from your DP24/32/SD.
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