Mixing & Mastering Submission Guide Thanks for considering me for your project! I’m currently building my portfolio and offering free mixing and mastering for MP3/WAV beats and vocal stem mixing projects. To keep things smooth and efficient, please follow the steps below to prepare and send your files. This guide covers what I need, how to get it, and a few tips to help your final mix sound its best. What I Work On • Beats: MP3 or WAV instrumentals (WAV preferred). • Vocal Mixes: Fully tracked out and aligned vocal stems for a beat (lead, doubles, ad‑libs, harmonies, FX, etc.). • Free Service: This is a portfolio-building offer. There’s no charge—your feedback/credit is appreciated. Step‑by‑Step: What to Send & How to Get It 1) The Beat (Instrumental) • Preferred format: WAV 24‑bit, 44.1kHz or 48kHz. MP3 is acceptable if WAV isn’t available. • If you produced the beat: export/bounce the final stereo mix of the instrumental as a single WAV file. • If you leased/bought a beat online: download the highest‑quality file provided by the producer (WAV if included). 2) Vocal Stems (Fully Tracked Out & Aligned) • Export each vocal element as its own mono WAV file (lead, doubles, harmonies, ad‑libs, spoken parts, FX tails if needed). • Ensure stems are time‑aligned with the beat (start each stem at the same bar/zero point). • Keep raw, unprocessed takes—no EQ, compression, reverb, pitch‑correction, or limiters on the individual tracks. • Turn off master bus processing (limiters/maximizers) before exporting stems. • Name files clearly (e.g., LeadVerse1.wav, DoubleHookL.wav, AdlibStacks.wav). 3) Session Info & References • Tempo (BPM) and Key/Scale of the song (if known). • A short mix note: describe the intended vibe (e.g., warm/vintage, modern/punchy, airy/dreamy). • 1–2 reference tracks (Spotify/YouTube links) that represent your target sound/energy. • Any must‑have moments (e.g., a vocal throw at bar 33, big reverb tail into the hook, etc.). 4) How to Export Stems (Quick How‑To) • FL Studio: Use File → Export → WAV, enable Split Mixer Tracks, disable master FX, set tail to Leave Remainder. • Logic Pro: Select tracks → File → Export → 1 Track per File, bypass master bus FX, include audio tail. • Ableton Live: File → Export Audio/Video → Rendered Track: All Individual Tracks, turn off master FX, normalize off. • Pro Tools: Commit/Export tracks individually, ensure all start at bar 1/00:00, bypass master processing. 5) Packaging & Delivery • Place all files in one folder: ArtistName_SongTitle_BPM_Key. • Include a text file with BPM/Key, notes, and links to references. • Zip the folder (.zip) and upload via Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer, or similar. • Share the link with download access enabled. Optional but Helpful • Provide dry and wet versions of key vocals if you already experimented—dry will be used for the mix. • Attach the rough mix (MP3) you’ve been listening to for context. • If the beat is yours and you’re comfortable, include beat stems (drums, bass, keys, etc.) for deeper mix control. Warnings & Essential Education 1) Great mixes start with great recordings. Mixing can’t fully fix a poor recording. Your capture quality is a major ceiling for the final sound. • Room & Acoustics: Record in a quiet, deadened space. Use blankets, closets, or portable vocal booths to reduce reflections/noise. • Mic Positioning: Keep 4–8 inches from the mic with a pop filter; aim slightly off‑axis to reduce harsh plosives/sibilance. • Performance Consistency: Keep distance and angle consistent between takes; track doubles with small natural variations. 2) Gain Staging & Levels • Set your preamp/interface so peaks land around ‑12 to ‑6 dBFS; avoid clipping (0 dBFS). • Turn off any limiters/auto‑gain on the input. Leave headroom for mixing. • If your interface has a “pad,” use it only if you can’t avoid clipping; otherwise adjust input gain. 3) Keep Vocals Raw • Do not print EQ, compression, tuning, de‑essing, or reverb/delay on stem exports. • If you love a creative effect (telephone, radio, stutter), include both the dry and effect‑printed versions and note where to use it. 4) File Hygiene • Match sample rates across files (prefer 44.1k or 48k); keep bit depth at 24‑bit where possible. • No clipping on individual stems or the rough mix master. Normalize: off. • Check that all files line up from the same start time before zipping. Suggestions for Best Results • Record at a consistent time of day when your voice feels best; warm up for 10–15 minutes. • Use a pop filter, stand up while recording, and monitor on closed‑back headphones to avoid bleed. • Label your vision: include 1–2 adjectives for each section (e.g., intimate verse, explosive hook). • If you’re unsure about anything, leave it dry and add a note—I’ll handle it in the mix. Final Note This is a free, portfolio‑building service focused on quality results and clear communication. Turnaround may vary with project size and the queue, but I’ll keep you posted. Thank you for trusting me with your music—excited to help bring your record to life! Questions before you export? Shoot me a message with your DAW and I’ll guide you through it.