Preparing a session for mixing

Please,

  • Label all tracks clearly and use the comments sections in Pro Tools for mix notes.

  • Make sure that there are timeline markers of the song form. If you are working in Logic you can export a MIDI file that contains the markers.

  • Record or render any effects that are part of the songs integrity. For example, an instrument going through "Guitar Rig" or "Radio Voc" effect. Label it then save the original on a playlist or another file (if you are sending wav files), make sure you clearly label that it was an unaffected sound in the comments section or in the file name.

  • Record or render any tuning plugins. Label the playlist or fie as "Tuned". You may save the original on a playlist or another file (if you are sending wav files), but make sure you clearly label playlist or file that it was an "Un Tuned" sound in the comments section or in the file name.

  • Remove all plug-ins from the session.

  • Remove all automation from the session. Delete all volume moves, mutes, automated plug-ins, etc. from the individual channels.

  • Render all elastic audio processing as desired by the editing engineer.

  • Verify that there are no pops or clicks due to incorrect processing.

  • Do not include stereo tracks that are actually mono.

  • Try not to put the same sounding track across multiple tracks. If it is the same guitar in the verse that also plays in the chorus and bridge, please put it on the same track.

  • Delete all tracks and playlists that are not to be used.

  • Delete all unused regions then "Save Session Copy In" checking the "All Audio Files" box to save a new session and audio files. Make sure that you "Delete Unused Regions" from the session first, so they don’t take up disk space in the new session.

  • Make sure that the session can be opened and that there are no missing audio files.

  • Indicate if there are important delays and panning that work well with the song or any other direction that you feel would be helpful to know, as well as tempo and sample rate in an included text document, usually, "songtitle_mixing_notes.txt".