Mixdowns: What is a stem ?
A stem is typically an individual track in the project bounced to Wav later at the export. However a Group can be also a stem, if you decide to export it as one track. We offer different stem packages, the more stems you are submitting, the price will be higher.
Please remember the more stems we have access to, the more impact it will have on the final result.
If you're unsure which package to choose, drop us an email for free mixdown evaluation and we will advise which package would be the most suitable.
Please remember the more stems we have access to, the more impact it will have on the final result.
If you're unsure which package to choose, drop us an email for free mixdown evaluation and we will advise which package would be the most suitable.
Mixdowns: How to prepare & send stems ?
Before exporting stems, please export the full song from your DAW (your rough mix/master). It's fine if you have processing on the master channel, please leave it turned ON and include the exported file in the stem package.
IMPORTANT: Please leave all processing and automations you have on your stems turned ON. You are welcome to additionally send the unprocessed/raw versions (they still need to include automations), but please put them in a separate folder.
Typically for a basic 10 stem package, you would split your song into stems listed below. For bigger packages, just use the same formula, but strip down further the groups listed below into individual stems:
Example of a 10 stem package:
1. Kick
2. Bass
3. Snares/Claps
4. 4x4 Main Hat
5. 4x4 Main Clap
6. Percs
7. Tops (hats / cymbals / shakers / tambourines etc.)
8. Keys, Chords, Pads
9. Synths, Leads
10. Buildup & Transitional FX (white noise / filter noise / crash / hits / impacts)
Please don't forget to load stems into an empty project and check carefully for alignment, levels, automations and make sure there are no missing sounds. Length of the stems need to match the total length of the song.
NOTE: We offer step by step guide for each DAW on how to export and prepare the stems, so please don't hesitate to send us an email specifying your DAW software and we will walk you quickly through the process. Following the guide guarantees the best results and error free process during the export.
IMPORTANT: Please leave all processing and automations you have on your stems turned ON. You are welcome to additionally send the unprocessed/raw versions (they still need to include automations), but please put them in a separate folder.
Typically for a basic 10 stem package, you would split your song into stems listed below. For bigger packages, just use the same formula, but strip down further the groups listed below into individual stems:
Example of a 10 stem package:
1. Kick
2. Bass
3. Snares/Claps
4. 4x4 Main Hat
5. 4x4 Main Clap
6. Percs
7. Tops (hats / cymbals / shakers / tambourines etc.)
8. Keys, Chords, Pads
9. Synths, Leads
10. Buildup & Transitional FX (white noise / filter noise / crash / hits / impacts)
Please don't forget to load stems into an empty project and check carefully for alignment, levels, automations and make sure there are no missing sounds. Length of the stems need to match the total length of the song.
NOTE: We offer step by step guide for each DAW on how to export and prepare the stems, so please don't hesitate to send us an email specifying your DAW software and we will walk you quickly through the process. Following the guide guarantees the best results and error free process during the export.
Mastering: How to prepare & send files ?
Please refer to the instructions below which explain the process. If you have done your own rough/home master, you can also include it in the package. Export it before proceeding with the instructions below and do not make any changes on your master channel.
Guidelines for submitting a pre-master:
• Please turn off all EQ, compression, multi-band compression, and limiting on your master channel before the bounce/export
• Ensure the headroom on your master channel is at a minimum of -6dB and not peaking/clipping over 0dB at loudest parts of the track
Please make sure the export/bounce settings in your DAW match below:
Format: WAV
Sample Rate: 44.1 KHz
Bit Depth: 16, or 24 bit (24 recommended)
Dithering: OFF
Normalise: OFF
• Please name your track using following format: ’Artist Name - Track Title’, i.e. Deeper Guardian- Rock It
You can use Wetransfer.com to upload the file(s) and send us the link to [email protected]. We also accept files from other file sharing websites such as Onedrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, pCloud, etc.
If you have any questions or get stuck at any point, please let us know and we will be happy to assist.
Why Mastering?
Mastering process is the last stage in music production. It means bringing the song to the industry standard RMS and peak volume and preparing it for the distribution for particular media. Quality masters will make your tracks stand out more and can potentially increase the sales and chances to get your demo noticed by a record label. Mastering engineers will make sure your productions have sufficient dynamic range, warmth, and will be transferable to other soundsystems.
What's the difference between Mixing and Mastering?
Mixing means that we have access to individual tracks of the project to make necessary adjustments. Mastering means working with just one Wav file (pre-master) exported from your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software. Mixing has much more impact on the track then mastering, if you're unsure whether your project needs professional mixdown, ask us for a free expertise.
What are the turnaround times?
Files are delivered Monday - Friday between 5pm - 6pm GMT /BST. We are closed during weekends and bank holidays. Please allow up to 3-4 working days for Mastering and 4-5 working days for Mixdowns (not including the day of receiving the files). We will confirm the delivery day via email once we have received and checked the files.
We reserve the right to request an extra day or two in some cases in order to achieve the best quality of the product (every project is different and some may require extra work).
If you require an urgent mix or master prior to hard deadline or a gig, please let us know the deadline BEFORE submitting the files and we will make sure everything is delivered on time. Rushed turnarounds are subject to availability.
Sometimes we ask clients for mixdown amendments in order to get the best results at the mastering stage. This may delay the delivery in some cases, depending on when the revised track has been re-submitted (we will inform you if any delays will occur).
NOTE: Errors in stem submissions for mixdowns may delay your delivery and incur in additional charges, so please make sure to follow carefully the file submission instructions.
We reserve the right to request an extra day or two in some cases in order to achieve the best quality of the product (every project is different and some may require extra work).
If you require an urgent mix or master prior to hard deadline or a gig, please let us know the deadline BEFORE submitting the files and we will make sure everything is delivered on time. Rushed turnarounds are subject to availability.
Sometimes we ask clients for mixdown amendments in order to get the best results at the mastering stage. This may delay the delivery in some cases, depending on when the revised track has been re-submitted (we will inform you if any delays will occur).
NOTE: Errors in stem submissions for mixdowns may delay your delivery and incur in additional charges, so please make sure to follow carefully the file submission instructions.
How to pay?
All payments are made through Paypal or bank transfer (UK bank) after we've checked your files and confirmed they are good to go. For international bank transfers, a screenshot of the completed transaction is required to proceed with mixing/mastering and your track will be released for your review once the funds have hit our bank account.
What are your opening hours?
We are open Monday - Friday between 11am - 6pm GMT / BST. We are closed during weekends and bank holidays.
2018 Bank and Public Holidays:
2018 Bank and Public Holidays:
- New Year's Day: Monday 1 January.
- Good Friday: Friday 30 March.
- Easter Monday: Monday 2 April.
- Early May bank holiday: Monday 7 May.
- Spring bank holiday: Monday 28 May.
- Summer bank holiday: Monday 27 August.
- Christmas Day: Tuesday 25 December.
- Boxing Day: Wednesday 26 December.
Can I get the mixed/mastered session back?
Yes. There is an extra charge of £10 to cover project preparation and uploading. For mixdowns, you will get both project file and mastered 24bit Wav stems.
Can you help with signing my track to a record label?
No, however we can send our 'Industry Demo Signing / How To Get Your Demo Heard' pack which contains articles, interviews and a few tips from ourselves, to put you on the right track. It's available free of charge after you have used our service.
Do you do revisions/amendments?
Yes. Revisions are free of charge and our aim is 100% customer satisfaction! There is no limit on revisions.