Audio Delivery Requirements 2024
Below are the audio delivery requirements for all recording projects. Please read thoroughly and adhere to each requirement (technically appropriate to your project) before delivering your files for mixing in Stereo or Dolby Atmos.
GLOSSARY
MULTI-TRACK - The collection of individual audio tracks recorded during music production, such as vocals, guitars, drums, and other instruments.
STEMS - The collection of audio tracks processed by the mix engineer and exported with effects, such as drums, keys, synths, vocals, and other instruments.
FINAL MIX - The final mix/version of the song.
PROJECT FILE NAMING
Please clearly label folders and/or files with the following:
Artist Name
Song Title
BPM
Naming Convention: ArtistName_SongTitle_Tempo
Example: BillyLockett_NotOkay_98BPM
Do not use non-alphanumeric characters such as: *?<>“| \/:+#
MULTI-TRACKS
Below are the guidelines to follow when sending projects to be mixed and mastered in stereo.
Print all MIDI, synth, and/or virtual instrument tracks as audio files.
Name each track logically (do not label tracks as “Audio 23,” etc.)
Use labels that reflect the instrument type
DR - Drums/Percussions
BS - Bass Instruments (acoustic and synths)
KY - Keyboards (piano, organ, pads, synths)
GT - Guitars
SFX - Sound effects (risers, impacts)
VX - Lead vocals/adlibs
Naming Convention: TrackType_Instrument
Example: DR_Kick
Do not use non-alphanumeric characters such as: *?<>“| \/:+#
STEMS
Below are the guidelines to follow when sending projects to be mixed in Dolby Atmos.
All stems should:
Be the same duration, so they can be synced up easily (recording start and end time).
Match the tempo of the project/session, including any tempo changes.
Exporting Instruments:
Separate the instruments as much as possible and deliver them "wet" (with effects such as EQ, compression, and reverb).
Drum kits, sampled or live, should be separated, as well as delivering a stereo stem of the full kit
Loops/Samples should be printed as separate stems and not combined with other mixed elements
For live recordings, please provide as much separation as possible for audience microphones (e.g. please don’t print all audience mics to one stem)
Vocal stem elements (lead and background) should be:
Separated as much as possible (Lead Vocal, Adlibs, Choir, etc).
Deliver ‘dry’ vocal stem with tuning and processing (EQ, compression, saturation, etc)
Deliver a ‘wet’ vocal stem with effects (reverb, delay, widener, etc).
Tuning should be included on dry elements (Autotune, Melodyne, etc).
Naming Convention: TrackType_Instrument
Example: DR_Kick
Do not use non-alphanumeric characters such as: *?<>“| \/:+#
Export all stems at 48kHz/32-bit and use the upload form from here.
Dolby Atmos is an immersive listening experience supported by Major streaming platforms - Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon. Listeners can experience Dolby Atmos music on headphones, smart speakers, and surround sound systems.
In this post, find three ways in which you can experience a Dolby Atmos mix.
