Three minute reads for artists and producers
who want to make better records

By Thomas Dulin

Hi Reader, here's this week's Take Three email.

TAKE ONE: QUICK LINKS

• Become a zooming Ninja in Pro Tools via Production Expert​
• My friend Cory Wong has released a free producer pack for Logic via Music Radar. Bonus: his hilarious "keynote" video announcing the pack.
• I offer professional mix feedback and 1:1 coaching calls for upcoming producers/engineers.

TAKE TWO: SENDING TO MIX

As a mix engineer, I get to work with all kinds of artists and producers.

And they are all using different DAWs. They may be in Logic, or Pro Tools, or even Ableton or Reaper. They all have unique workflows for the songs they are making.

But when it's time for them to actually send me files, it doesn't matter what software they used to record -- it only matters that they are doing the proper preparation.

"What do I need to do before I send you files to mix?"

I get asked this question a lot, so I thought I'd type it up finally, and create sort of a checklist.

Here's everything I need you to do before you send me files to mix.

• First, export your rough mix as is.
• Save your session. Then do a "Save As..." before making any of these changes.
• Check to make sure all your tracks are named appropriately, so that the audio files get named appropriately.
• Listen through all of your tracks in solo to check for any poor edits/splices/pops/clicks. Fix anything you notice.
• Delete "silences" that were recorded, especially long sections of audio.
• Delete any tracks that you don't want in your session.
• If you are in Pro Tools, you can leave all your plug ins as they are. I probably have them.
• If you're in another DAW, remove any plugins except the ones you feel are contributing to a very specific sound, and then commit those to audio. For example, you can probably get rid of any EQ and compression plugins. But if you're using a guitar amp plugin, and you like the sound you got, go ahead and print that.
• If you are using any drum sample replacement plugins, make sure you commit those to audio, and name them appropriately.
• If there are any reverbs or delay returns that you're absolutely married to, print them as audio. If you're just using a reverb as a placeholder, you can get rid of it.
• Export all tracks as WAV files at 24 bit and at whatever sample rate they were recorded, starting from the beginning, or the "zero point" of your session so that they line up correctly when I import them.
• Make a note of the tempo.
• Put all the exported audio in a folder named "(Song Title) For Mix (Tempo)."
• Make sure to include the rough mix in the folder as well.

"What about Auto-Tune plugins?"

Great question.

Most of the time, it is the Producer's job to do any necessary vocal tuning. So my general advice is to make sure you're happy with the tuning of the vocal and then commit any plugins that you used to get it there.

However, I happen to be pretty good at tuning vocals in a very natural-sounding way, so I do offer that as a service for an extra fee if you'd rather not deal with it.

TAKE THREE: QUICK QUESTION

In next week's Take Three, we'll talk about finances for self-employed creatives.

Ahead of that, I'd love to know: what is your biggest struggle when it comes to the financial side of making music? Do you have any tips to share?

Hit reply, let me know, and I'll share a few responses anonymously.

Until next week, happy music making, Reader.

Thomas Dulin Producer / Engineer / Mixer