Mix preparation / stemming notes

If providing stems

• All tracks to start from bar 0.

• All tracks to be very simply and clearly labelled ie ‘Snare’, or 'Lead Vocal’. Please do not number tour tracks or put another information in the file name. It will end up being erased as it will be too long to read on the session.

• Mono tracks to be stemmed in mono file format. Stereo tracks to be stemmed in stereo format.

• All static level information to be retained where possible and necessary. Minor track automation

to be removed unless critical, ie fade outs, major volume changes etc

• Pan information can be added in the file name if necessary. This is useful when, for example,

there are multiple guitar parts making up a layer. Example file name - ‘Chorus Guitar

1_LHS_50%’. However, this part could also be printed as a grouped stereo file if appropriate.

• All stems to be exported as WAVs at the original session bit and sample rate, and folder

labelled with file type. Ie ‘Track Title_Stems for mix_24_48_Wavs_120bpm’

• All edits and crossfade to be checked for clicks etc

• Groups of tracks can be stemmed together. For example if a sound is made up of multiple layers

of synths, or a string section, or multiple harmony blocks etc. Here only the group stem is

needed. If in doubt, please commit to the single stereo stem. We can always ask for the

separate files at a later date if needed.

• All master bus plugins and automation to be removed during the stemming process, and

master fader set to peaking at 0db.

• Minor eq and compression to be removed. As a general rule, most acoustic recorded sounds

should be unprocessed (all plugins removed), but electronic sounds can be left processed if

you like. Reverbs and FX that you want to keep should be printed separately if possible. If in

doubt print both, with backup options in a clearly marked separate folder.

• Lead vocal parts to be dry and un processed. If in doubt, print both dry and wet, and label

clearly.

• Major ‘sound-changing’ processing should always be left in and processed as part of the stem.

If in doubt, leave it in and print a separate, dry version in another clearly labeled folder.

• A reference mix and BPM should be provided in the stem folder.

• The stems should be loaded back in and checked before sending.

• Please do not include any options or variants unless discussed before hand.

• Please send via www.wetransfer.com to bluebellhillstudios@icloud.com

Tips for Logic Users

Prepping a session for Stem Exporting

1. ‘Save As’ the session to be under a different name such as “[Song Name] STEMS [Date]”

2. Label all tracks clearly such as “Snare Top” / “Chorus Guitar L”

3. Check each crossfade and edits made when comping for any clicks

4. Make sure bpm lines up with track

5. Cycle region should start on the grid at 0 and cover the entire song

6. Remove all master bus / mix bus plugins and set master fader to 0db

7. Remove all plugins on all acoustic instruments (anything recorded with a microphone) especially

vocals. Unless it forms an integral part of the sound such as a riser or SFX. If in doubt duplicate

the channel and mute all plugins on one of them and leave FX on the other.

8. Mute all sends to auxiliary channels.

9. Create a folder on your desktop / SSD following this format:

“[Track Title] Stems for Mix [Bit Depth] [Sample Rate] WAVs [BPM]”

Exporting stems

Press together “Command + E” then execute the following options:

Select from the top drop down menu to export the file to the folder we created earlier called “[Track

Title] Stems for Mix [Bit Depth] [Sample Rate] WAVs [BPM]”

Range: Export Cycle Range Only

File Type: WAVE

Bit Depth: (should match the session bit depth which you can find in advanced recording settings)

‘Bypass Effect Plug-Ins’ set to NO

‘Include Audio Tail’ set to YES

‘Include Volume / Pan Automation’ set to YES

‘Include Tempo Information’ set to YES

Normalize: Overload Protection Only

Then Export

If unsure please contact us.

If providing Protools sessions

• Please remove all third party plugins (ie not native protools). if they are important then please

process them. Basic eq, compression etc can be removed. Only process the tracks if the

plugins changes the sounds dramatically. If In doubt, provide both processed and un processed

tracks, region muting and deactivating the alternate version, and label clearly in the comments

section.

• As a general rule, most microphone recorded sounds should be unprocessed, but electronic

sounds can be left processed if you like.

• All tracks to be labelled clearly and organised logically in the edit Window. Ie ‘Snare’, or 'Lead

Vocal’

• Auxiliary bus grouping should be placed under the relevant tracks, not at the bottom of the

session.

• Delete all tracks, regions and playlists that are not to be used in the mix, no tracks should be

muted on the mixer. You should use ‘copy session’ to create a new folder with only the relevant

tracks and audio. This saves on any confusion and reduces file size/transfer time

• Keep all monitor mix balances where possible, with automation and panning information in

place - it is especially useful for us to know relative levels between tracks and parts.

• An up to date reference mix should be provided in the session, with minimal processing /

limiting.

• Please send via www.wetransfer.com to bluebellhillstudios@icloud.com

multiple uploads are needed then please split up the audio folder and label clearly (for example

‘audio folder upload 1 of 3’)

Please get in touch if you have any questions. This process is very important in ensuring

we are using our mix time efficiently.