FORMATS & EXPORTS

EXPORTING YOUR TRACKS

Exporting your tracks in Stem Mix format (up to 30 tracks) or Stem Mastering format (up to 7 tracks) helps optimize studio work. By grouping the main elements of your track, it facilitates frequency analysis, dynamic control, and allows quick identification of potential issues (frequency, dynamics, phase, etc.). This process ensures enhanced clarity and final quality in mixing and mastering.

To maximize the potential of your track, I ask that you carefully organize the exports and include specific details that will help me better understand your artistic and technical choices.

Note: If you are unsure about certain effects (such as reverb or delay on a guitar, for instance), create a DRY folder (without effects) and a WET folder (with effects applied). This gives me the flexibility to choose the best option for the final mix, adjust the settings, or even recreate the effect to better fit the overall mix.

STEM MIX FORMAT (up to 30 tracks)

The goal of this format is to facilitate mixing by providing clear and well-organized groups of tracks. Here's how to organize your stems for this format.

Limit to 30 tracks:

Group similar elements together to keep the total track count within this limit. For example, all percussion instruments can be grouped.

Organize your tracks into folders:

Structure your project using folders for each instrument group for maximum clarity:

  - Kick/Bass Folder: Kick, Bass

  - Drums/Percs Folder: Snare, Hi-Hats, Percussions, rhythmic FX, etc.

  - Harmonic Instruments Folder: Guitars, Synths, Pads, etc.

  - Main Melodic Folder: Lead instruments (lead synths, pianos, etc.)

  - Vocals Folder: Lead Vocal, Backing Vocals, Adlibs, etc.

  - Special Effects Folder: Reverbs, Delays, Special FX

Information to include:

Create a text file with the following essential details:

  - BPM of the track

  - Key

  - Influences and references for inspiration

  - Tracks that require specific treatment or particular attention

  - Reference track (if you have one for the mix or final mastering)

STEM MASTERING FORMAT (up to 7 tracks)

This format is designed for mastering by separating the main groups. It keeps things simple while providing flexibility for frequency, phase, dynamics, and tonal adjustments.

Tips for exporting in Stem Mastering format:

- Limit to 7 tracks: : 

Here’s a typical example of track distribution for electronic music:

  - Kick

  - Snare

  - Basse

  - Drums (Hats, Percs, ride, drumloops)

  - Lead Instruments and Melodics

  - Vocals or Instruments requiring special attention

  - Special Effects (Impacts/Risers/Crash FX, fills...)

Technical Recommendations:

Processing: If you’ve applied any global or group processing, specify it. If it’s an artistic choice, provide a version with and without processing so I can adapt as needed.

Levels: Export each track at a nominal level (neither too low nor too high) to preserve dynamics.

Timing Alignment: Ensure all tracks are aligned and start at the same point to avoid any timing issues.

Audio Format:

Export in WAV at 24 bits (or 32 bits if necessary).

Sample rate: 44.1 kHz (or 48 kHz for broadcast, media, video, cinema...).

Let me know if specific formats are required for import or export.

Artistic Choices: If a final treatment (compressor, EQ, etc.) was applied for a particular effect, include this information in the text file and provide tracks with and without the processing for added flexibility.

Rough Mix: Add a stereo WAV Rough Mix (the latest version of your mix) as a reference. This track must be identical to how the 30 tracks sound when played together.

For Optimal Export:

1 - Export range: Ensure the entire length of the track is selected, leaving blank space at the end.

2. Avoid normalization and dithering: Do not apply these treatments when exporting stems.

3. Check track consistency by re-importing them into a new session to ensure they are as intended.

4. Use clear file naming (e.g., “01_Kick.wav,” “02_Snare.wav”) for quick identification.

5. Compressed folder: Send all files in a compressed folder or via a reliable download link.

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Following these steps will greatly simplify the mixing and mastering process, ensuring a professional and high-quality result.