GUY BRITTON

Preparing your files to send to a mix engineer can be a confusing process, and every mix engineer has their own preferences as to how the files are sent. Below are some frequently asked questions which should help to clarify how best to send me your files. If you have any further questions, just drop me an email at guy@guybritton.com and I’ll be happy to clarify anything you’re unsure of!

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          Q: Should I submit single multi-track audio files, or can I send you the project file from my DAW?

 

Please send me single multi-track audio files as 24-bit .WAV or .AIFF files at the sample rate they were recorded at, ensuring all files are bounced / exported from the same start point.

 

Please also make sure that any mono sources are exported as mono files, and any stereo sources are exported as a single 2-channel interleaved stereo file. 

 

In some cases it is possible for me to accept Logic Pro X or Pro Tools session files, but please contact me first to discuss if you wish to submit a session file for mixing.

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          Q: Should I leave the FX processing on my sounds?

 

It depends - if the effect is crucial to the sound of the part (i.e. a guitar amp simulator, or a very specific vocal effect) then print the effect(s) when you bounce the file. 

 

However, if the processing is fairly generic and something you hope to be bettered in the mix (i.e. compression, EQ, generic reverbs) then please remove all processing before sending. 

 

In some cases where there is a very specific effect, it’s good to have a ‘wet’ version and a ‘dry’ version of a sound, feel free to use your own discretion on this (but please don’t do this for every sound!).

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          Q: Should I send you ‘grouped’ tracks as one file, or do you want every individual file?

 

Again, it depends - in the case of drum tracks, please send me all the individual elements that make up the drums (kick, snare, hi-hat, percussion parts etc.). 

 

However, if some songs feature vocal sections that are designed to sound like one part and need to be balanced in a very specific way (a choir section made up of a bunch of individual vocal tracks for example), then it’s probably best to send a stereo bounce of the group. 

 

If this is the case, feel free to send me a stereo bounce of the group along with the separate tracks that make up the whole vocal part. 

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          Q: How should I organise my files and name my tracks?

 

Please divide the audio files into folders based on the instrument type. 

 

These sub-folders should then be placed into one ‘master’ folder which includes the name of the artist / band, the song title, and the tempo. 

 

For example: 

 

       -> [MASTER FOLDER:] ARTIST NAME - SONG TITLE - 120BPM

           -> DRUMS

           -> BASS

           -> GUITARS

           -> SYNTHS

           -> VOCALS

 

The way the tracks are named is super important too. Naming tracks properly can help save me a lot of time, meaning you get your mix back sooner, and it will help to avoid any confusion over parts and where they are placed in the mix. 

 

Please ONLY include the name of the track in each individual file. Do not include the song title in every individual file, and please don’t send files labelled with the same name twice. Please also be specific with the naming of your tracks, particularly the vocals (i.e. lead vocal, pre-chorus BV, bridge harmony 1 etc.)

 

           Good example:

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• Kick.wav

• Snare 1.wav

• Snare 2.wav

• Lead vox.wav

• Chorus Harm 1.wav

• Bridge vox dbl.wav

 

           Bad example:

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• myuntitledsong1 - kick.bip.wav

• voc1.wav

• voc1.2.wav

• weirdsound.wav

• Untitled.wav

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It’s also worth including a PDF file in the master folder with some notes on the general vibe / feeling that you want from the mix, and any specific effects that you would like to happen at moments in the song. 

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Hopefully that answers all the questions you have but if not, just drop me an email at guy@guybritton.com to go over anything you’re unsure about!