File Prep: Mastering, Stereo Mixing & Dolby Atmos
Use the tables and short checklists below to prepare and deliver your files. Clear prep = faster turnaround and results that match your intent.
Quick Summary (Essentials)
What to send and file specs — pick your service and follow the checklist.
| Service | Send | Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Mastering |
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| Stereo Mixing |
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| Dolby Atmos Mixing |
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Mastering
- Send: Final mix + optional Inst/A Cap/TV
- Specs: WAV, 24-bit or 32-float, native SR, no clipping
Stereo Mixing
- Send: Individual tracks + rough; print defining FX
- Specs: WAV 24-bit 44.1/48/96; same start/end; tails
Dolby Atmos Mixing
- Send: Family stems + stereo master
- Specs: WAV 48k, 24-bit or 32-float; same start; tails
Naming: Artist_Project_Master, Artist_Song_MixPrep, Artist_Song_AtmosStems.
1) General Requirements (All Services)
Applies to mastering, stereo mixing, and Dolby Atmos mixing.
| Format | WAV only. Avoid clipping; peaks must remain below 0 dBFS. |
| Bit Depth / Sample Rate | Stereo: 24-bit at your project rate (44.1 / 48 / 96 kHz). Atmos: 48 kHz at 24-bit or 32-bit float. |
| Timing & Tails | All files start at the same time (usually 00:00) and run to the end. Print full reverb/delay tails. |
| Naming | Use clear names (e.g., Kick, MainVox, BGV_Stack). Avoid special characters: * ? < > “ | \ / : + # |
| Delivery | Send one folder/zip via Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer. Folder name: Artist_SongOrProject_Version. Include a rough mix or stereo master where noted. |
Format
WAV only. Avoid clipping; peaks must remain below 0 dBFS.
Bit Depth / Sample Rate
Stereo: 24-bit at your project rate (44.1 / 48 / 96 kHz).
Atmos: 48 kHz at 24-bit or 32-bit float.
Timing & Tails
All files start at the same time (usually 00:00) and run to the end. Print full reverb/delay tails.
Naming
Use clear names (e.g., Kick, MainVox, BGV_Stack). Avoid special characters: * ? < > “ | \ / : + #
Delivery
Send one folder/zip via Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer. Name it Artist_SongOrProject_Version. Include a rough mix or stereo master where noted.
Include These Notes
- Tempo and key (simple text file is fine).
- Any references or must-keep effects.
- Specific moments to feature and any non-negotiables.
2) Mastering Preparation
What to Send
| Final Stereo Mix | WAV, 24-bit or 32-bit float at native project rate. No clipping. If unsure, send two: one with bus tone processing and one without limiter/clipping. |
| Alternates (optional) | Instrumental, A Cappella, TV (no lead) |
| Album/EP Info | Track order, exact titles, desired gaps/fades/crossfades. |
| Reference (optional) | Your “self-limited” version or a commercial reference that reflects the vibe. |
Final Stereo Mix
WAV, 24-bit or 32-bit float at native project rate. No clipping. If unsure, send two: one with bus tone processing and one without limiter/clipping.
Alternates (optional)
Instrumental, A Cappella, TV (no lead)
Album/EP Info
Track order, exact titles, desired gaps/fades/crossfades.
Reference (optional)
Your “self-limited” version or a commercial reference that reflects the vibe.
Quick Specs
- Bit depth: 24-bit or 32-bit float. Sample rate: use native (don’t upsample).
- Peaks: keep below 0 dBFS. Headroom helpful, but no clipping is the key.
- Fades: Print intentional fades; otherwise leave full tails.
3) Stereo Mixing Preparation
What to Send
| Individual Tracks | Export each track as audio, consolidated from the same start to the end with tails. MIDI instruments should be printed to audio (include MIDI too if recall might be needed). |
|---|---|
| Defining Processing | Print processing that creates the sound (amp sims, crucial delays, synth FX). Remove heavy limiters/clippers that only add volume. |
| Vocals | Send your production vocal (with vibe FX if that’s the sound) plus a dry lead for tuning/alternate processing. |
| Stacks | Group doubles/BGVs if they live together; keep separate if you want mix control. |
| Rough Mix | Include a rough that represents your intent. |
Individual Tracks
Export each track as audio, consolidated from the same start to the end with tails. Print MIDI instruments to audio (include MIDI too if recall might be needed).
Defining Processing
Print processing that creates the sound (amp sims, crucial delays, synth FX). Remove heavy limiters/clippers that only add volume.
Vocals
Send your production vocal (with vibe FX if that’s the sound) plus a dry lead for tuning/alternate processing.
Stacks
Group doubles/BGVs if they live together; keep separate if you want mix control.
Rough Mix
Include a rough that represents your intent.
File Specs
| Format | WAV, 24-bit at 44.1 / 48 / 96 kHz. |
|---|---|
| Timing | All tracks start together and run full length; include reverb/delay tails. |
| 2-Bus FX | Keep tone/character processors; remove brickwall limiting/clipping. |
| Naming | Use clear families: DR_Kick, GTR_RhythmL, VOX_Main, BGV_Stack. |
Format
WAV, 24-bit at 44.1 / 48 / 96 kHz.
Timing
All tracks start together and run full length; include reverb/delay tails.
2-Bus FX
Keep tone/character processors; remove brickwall limiting/clipping.
Naming
Use clear families: DR_Kick, GTR_RhythmL, VOX_Main, BGV_Stack.
Helpful Extras
- Tempo and key in a text file.
- Notes on must-keep FX, featured moments, and non-negotiables.
4) Dolby Atmos Mixing Preparation
Goal: The Atmos master should closely match the approved stereo release in tonal balance, vocal/instrumental levels, and runtime.
Create Family Stems
| Drums | All kit elements plus rooms/FX that are part of the sound. |
|---|---|
| Bass | Approved blend (DI/Amp/Fuzz) printed as one stem. |
| Keys | Piano, electric keys, organ—grouped if balances are baked. |
| Pads / Synths | Separate if they serve distinct roles. |
| Electric Guitars | Rhythms grouped; feature solos may be separate. |
| Acoustic Guitars | Group doubles that act as a single bed. |
| Strings / Horns | Sectional or combined stems are fine. |
| Main Vocal (with FX) | Include production FX that define the vibe. |
| Backing Vocals (with FX) | Stacks grouped as approved. |
Drums
All kit elements plus rooms/FX that are part of the sound.
Bass
Approved blend (DI/Amp/Fuzz) printed as one stem.
Keys
Piano, electric keys, organ—grouped if balances are baked.
Pads / Synths
Separate if they serve distinct roles.
Electric Guitars
Rhythms grouped; feature solos may be separate.
Acoustic Guitars
Group doubles that act as a single bed.
Strings / Horns
Sectional or combined stems are fine.
Main Vocal (with FX)
Include production FX that define the vibe.
Backing Vocals (with FX)
Stacks grouped as approved.
Atmos Stem Format & Delivery
| Format | WAV, 48 kHz at 24-bit or 32-bit float. |
|---|---|
| Timing | All stems consolidated from the same start; full length with reverb/delay tails. |
| Processing | Print tone-defining group processing (EQ, compression, saturation, modulation, reverbs, delays). Exclude the stereo mastering chain. |
| Match | Stems must align with the stereo arrangement and runtime. |
| Include | Final approved stereo master for reference, tempo/key info, and any spatial mix notes (timestamps welcome). |
Format
WAV, 48 kHz at 24-bit or 32-bit float.
Timing
All stems consolidated from the same start; full length with reverb/delay tails.
Processing
Print tone-defining group processing. Exclude the stereo mastering chain.
Match
Stems must align with the stereo arrangement and runtime.
Include
Stereo master, tempo/key, and spatial notes (timestamps welcome).
5) Delivery Checklist
| Package | One ZIP per song or project, named Artist_Project_Version. |
|---|---|
| Share | Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer link. |
| Include | Rough mix (for stereo mixing), stereo master (for Atmos), tempo/key, references, and any special instructions. |
Package
One ZIP per song/project named Artist_Project_Version.
Share
Send a Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer link.
Include
Rough mix (for mixing) or stereo master (for Atmos), tempo/key, references, special notes.
Ready to start your project?
Once your files are prepped, send the details so I can review scope, timeline, and fit—then we’ll lock in next steps together.
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