Once you’ve prepared your multi-track files for mixing there are a few ways to deliver them. DVDr, CDr, USB flash drive / thumb drive all delivered by Post / FedX / DHL. We are all familiar.  And/or use FTP.

FTP – ( File Transfer Protocol ) FTP is simply a way of transferring files of any size over the internet between studios. Files are uploaded to the Songworx FTP server like email and then downloaded  securely by the recipient. This requires a simple FTP application not unlike your email program. Google and download these free and easy-to-use FTP applications:

Mac – Cyberduck

PC – Filezilla

With the FTP application and a broadband connection, you simply enter two simple lines and your password into the FTP app. The FTP location information I will give you will be much like this example:

server:         mixmixmix.com
user:            u20138803-box7
password:   123abc

Once you’re connected you will find a file called “songworx” that confirms your success. You’re in! Now we can exchange files of any size to any location in the world. Don’t forget to bookmark it in your FTP app, that way you don’t have to enter the server info again.

Typical uses of the FTP:

* Delivering your mix multi-tracks to songworx. FTP is wonderful, but many artists and producers will deliver their large mix sessions on DVDr or USB Flash drive since upload times can be a few or more hours depending on your session size and internet upload speed. Almost half my clients use the FTP box for everything else but the big initial mix tracks delivery.

* Songworx delivery of mix reviews and masters to you. Many artist/producers want their mix reviews in CD quality before I master which is typically 50 megabytes and much too large for email review. That said, many of my long term clients are happy with good mp3’s too. Your choice.

* Changes to the mix session. While I am mixing your song you may have a new idea or new over-dub you wish to replace. No problem, simply upload your new audio track to the FTP box and i’ll drop it in the current mix session and continue. Takes only minutes.

How to prepare your audio tracks for mixing

How to use the online remote mix system

twitter facebook myspace digg & more:

I mix with Pro Tools HD in-the-box and through analog consoles, but It doesn’t matter what music program you use for writing and recording your productions. Simply prepare the audio to be universal, useful on its own and not dependent on its session file. Next is how.

* All tracks need to be continuous individual files. Meaning: no edits in the audio. Each track needs to be one single file, or stereo file if that is the format your music program uses. Examples being GarageBand and Ableton Live among others work solely in stereo tracks. Before you buss record or disc record the file (also called: – bounce to disk – render – join – make continuous ) you’ll need to prepare the multi-tracks.

* All tracks you prepare need to have your mix plugins removed. I need your RAW un-proccessed audio tracks as they were recorded unless you have tracks with specific sound design elements from plugins or external manipulation. Simply record those elements onto discrete audio tracks. Separation is good. Remove EQ, compressors, reverbs and delays from “all” your tracks. If your program renders tracks through the stereo buss like GarageBand, then remove all stereo mix buss processing before you make the audio tracks for mixing. And just as a reminder while you’re recording, record your tracking with little to no compression. Keep your dynamics for me. If you have some cool vintage or vibey analog compressors, just tap it a half a db at peak.

* Stylized FX – Remember, if you have sound-design effects that rely on live plugins, render those as a separate sound file. You don’t want me recreating an effects move you’ve created, you want me mixing. Put it to its own track and all is good.

* All tracks need to begin at the same start-time or same time-stamp. Even if you have a sound event on one track at the very end of your song, the bounce or render needs to begin at the same very beginning of your song, before your intro, exactly at the same start-point as all the other tracks. The end of the files can all be different. When the sound ends for the song, the audio file can end there.

* Don’t slam the audio inputs when recording/rendering/bouncing to disk. Slamming digital inputs will have no benefit sound wise and will cause problems for me so keep the levels within 80% of digital zero (the top) I rather have too low a signal than too hot.

* Sample rate, Sample Frequency, File Type – I can handle whatever rates you are using. WAV or AIFF are preferred. Don’t change or up-sample before your render, just give me the same rate and freq you’ve been using in your project.

How to deliver your mix audio files with FTP

How to use the online mix system

twitter facebook myspace digg & more:

I communicate with most of my clients through a combination of email, cellphone and texting. Many will exclusively communicate in email or facebook private messaging, but any method is absolutely fine. Below is a basic how-to, to get us rolling.

1. Email an mp3 rough mix of your first song that needs a mix.
Sending a rough mix is the first best thing you can do for your mix engineer. What i’ll get out of it is what you’re looking to do no matter the quality of your rough mix. This really helps me interpret your vision and goal for the song.

2. I quote you a mix rate.
After I hear your song and know the amount of tracks to be mixed, I’ll understand enough to quote you a rate that fits the song.

3. You email or link me to a few similar popular songs for the additional reference point.
This helps me know a bit more about how you would like to sound. All artists have records they aspire and compare to. Just make sure the example songs you link me to or email are similar in tempo and track density like the instrumentation and vocal production. It may take a song or two to help you communicate those things to me but whatever works for you is great. Point being, the best way to communicate about music is through music.

4. If needed and if possible, touch up a few tracks before mixing.
Sometimes i’ll suggest a fix or an additional overdub or two that would greatly improve your final master if you have the means to do so in your home studio. If not, no worries. I’ll let you know.

5. Deliver your Multi-Track files to my FTP server or FedX a DVD.
I will provide you with your own private FTP box for all your uploads and downloads. Sometimes my clients have slow internet upload speeds so they’ll simply mail a DVDr or CDr with the session audio files. After that initial delivery, we’ll then do the rest of our file exchanges through the Songworx FTP servers.

6. I mix your song.
Average length is a little more than 10 hours of mix time before the first presentation of the mix to you.

7. I email a high quality mp3 or upload to the FTP server a full CD resolution audio file of mix #1 for your review.
You can certainly live with the mix for as much time you need to review it plus you may have some adjustments and suggestions so just let me know.

8. If you do have adjustments, I make the mix adjustments, send it to you like before and review again.

9. Continue mixing till we are happy and master your song.
After the final adjustments are made I master your song and get it ready for commercial consumption.

10. Your song is now ready for iTunes, CD, radio broadcast and world domination!

How to prepare your audio tracks for mixing.

How to deliver your mix audio files w FTP.

twitter facebook myspace digg & more: