top of page

Mixing & Mastering File Prep Guide

Welcome to August Rose Studio. To ensure I can give your song(s) the strongest possible mix and master, please follow the guidelines below when exporting, organizing, and delivering your files. Clean session prep means better results, faster turnaround, and fewer revisions.

IMG_3076_edited_edited.jpg

1. Exporting Your Tracks

1

Remove All Processing

All tracks should be exported completely dry, including:

•EQ

•Compression

•Saturation

•Reverb/Delay

•Wideners

•Limiting

•Master bus FX

​

Note: If you want me to hear your intended vibe, include a separate rough mix, but the exported stems should be clean.

2

Gain, Clipping & Faders

•Reset clip gain to default/unity

•Reset track faders to 0 dB/unity

•Ensure nothing is clipping before export

•If a track is very loud, reduce the pre-export gain, not the fader

3

Sample Rate & Bit Depth

•Export tracks in the exact sample rate they were recorded

   – If recorded at 48 kHz, export at 48 kHz

   – If recorded at 44.1 kHz, export at 44.1 kHz

•Preferred bit depth: 24-bit or 32-bit float

4

Full Length Exports

All tracks must:

•Start at 0:00 (bar 1 beat 1)

•Run the full length of the song

•Include any pickup notes, count-ins, and post-ring-outs. This ensures everything drops into my DAW and aligns perfectly.

5

Mono vs. Stereo

•Mono sources (kick, snare, vocals, bass DI, etc.) → export as mono WAV

•Stereo sources (synths, overheads, room mics, FX-heavy elements) → export as stereo WAV

6

MIDI / Virtual Instruments

If you used MIDI instruments:

•Export audio prints of each part

•Include the raw MIDI files as well (optional but helpful)

Grunge Texture

2. Organizing & Naming Your Files

Song Folder

​

Put each song in its own folder: Song Name – [BPM]

 

Examples:

  • Falling Apart – 145 BPM

  • Ashes & Echoes – 170 BPM

​​

​

Track Naming Structure

​

Use the following format: [Instrument Group] – [Part/Type] – [Variant]

 

Examples:

 

Drums

  • Drums – Kick – In

  • Drums – Snare – Top

  • Drums – Overheads – Stereo

  • Drums – Toms – 1

  • Drums – Room – Far

 

Guitars

  • Guitar – Rhythm – Left

  • Guitar – Rhythm – Right

  • Guitar – Lead – Solo

  • Guitar – Clean – Chorus

  • Guitar – DI

 

Bass

  • Bass – DI

  • Bass – Amp

  • Bass – Distorted

​

Synths / Keys

  • Synth – Intro

  • Synth – Pad – Chorus

  • Keys – Piano – Verse

 

Vocals

  • Vocals – Lead – Chorus

  • Vocals – Harmony – High – L

  • Vocals – Scream – Verse 1

  • Vocals – Doubles – Chorus

  • Vocals – Adlibs

​​

Clean Up Before Export

  • Delete muted or unused tracks

  • Remove duplicate playlists/takes unless needed

  • Provide a Notes.txt file if something needs explanation

IMG_3076_edited_edited.jpg

3. Optional but Highly Recommended Files

1

Rough Mix
(Your Current Demo Mix)

Include your rough mix so I can understand:

  • Your intended energy and vibe

  • Vocal placement

  • FX balance (even if printed separately)

  • Arrangement choices

    This greatly helps with translation.

2

Production Notes

Optional but helpful:

  • Influences (“mix this track like ___”)

  • What you love in your rough mix

  • What you don’t like

  • Special requests

  • “Do not change this part” moments

  • Pronunciation notes for vocal rides

3

Lyric Sheet

Very useful for:

  • Vocal automation

  • Timing nuance

  • Emphasis choices

Grunge Texture

4. Delivering Your Files

1

Final Folder Packaging

Place all song folders into one main folder: Artist/Band Name – [Number of Songs]

 

Examples:

  • August Rose Studio Client – 1 Song

  • The Hollow Tide – 5 Songs

2

Create & Upload a ZIP File

Right-click → Compress / ZIP the folder.

​

Upload the ZIP to a reliable file-sharing service:

  • Google Drive

  • Dropbox

  • WeTransfer

  • iCloud

  • OneDrive

  • Mega

3

Send the Download Link

Please ensure:

  • The link is public or accessible to anyone with the link

  • No login or permission request is required

  • The file is fully uploaded before sending

5. Quick Checklist

Before exporting:

✔ Matching sample rate

✔ No FX, EQ, compression, or limiting

✔ No clip gain or fader moves

✔ No clipping

✔ Tracks start at 0:00

✔ Mono/stereo exported correctly

 

Before sending:

✔ Correct naming

✔ Each song in its own folder

✔ All songs zipped into one archive

✔ Link tested and accessible

bottom of page