Preparing Your Files for STEM Mastering
Hey there! My name’s Paul.
Mixing and mastering are an art, and my approach is to follow your idea and vision.
I never force my opinion on my clients, so please feel free to share any comments and ask for revisions – I never get tired or frustrated with that.
As a studio engineer, my mission is to preserve your track’s original vibe and creative vision,
so please keep all effects such as reverbs, delays, modulations, saturations, and even master bus automation or plugins like ‘Endless Smile’ active.
To ensure the best sound quality and a smooth workflow, follow next guidelines carefully.
Revisions on my side are free and unlimited. However, if you need to replace files after submission, there is a $10 charge per file.
Please keep in mind that STEM Mastering is still mastering, not full mixing.
This process allows me to fix only certain issues on the surface of the track.
If your mix doesn’t sound you want, you should order the full mixing service.
This service will guarantee top-notch sound quality without any compromises.
Let’s make your tracks shiny 🙏
Step-by-Step Export Guide:
1. Turn off all technical plugins on the master channel.
Keep all creative effects, such as ‘Endless Smile’ or low-cut automation, on the master bus, as well as all effects on groups and individual tracks.
Disable only technical processing such as compression, EQs, limiters, or clippers on master bus.
2. Check Main Output peak level.
Make sure the highest peak level on the master bus stays close to -6 dBFS when playing all the stems together, with no plugins on the master.
Avoid extreme low levels, as they can introduce noise and reduce the effectiveness of mixing.
If the level is too high, lower it to prevent clipping. If it’s too low, increase it to maintain a strong signal.
3. Group and name your stems clearly.
Use this format for numbering and naming your STEMs:
1 Kick.wav
2 Bass.wav
3 Drums.wav
4 Synths, FXes, Vocals.wav
*Maximum of 4 stems included. An additional $10 will be charged for each extra stem.
Avoid using ALL CAPITALS or adding any extra information.
File naming is very important for me. Thanks!
4. Audio settings:
File Type – wav
Sample Rate – Original
Bit Depth – 24-bit
Dithering – None
Normalize – Off
5. Export STEMs.
The best way to export your STEMs is by soloing and rendering each one individually.
Bulk rendering can sometimes cause issues.
Solo your first STEM, export it, then repeat the process for the next.
6. Verify your STEMs in a new project.
Open new project and import your STEMs.
Ensure no missing or empty channels.
Make sure all files start from zero and are the same length.
Confirm that all automations and effects are correctly rendered.
7. Export your home master.
Don’t worry about the sound quality- it’s just to help me understand your vision and track balance.
8. Provide reference tracks.
Not to copy the sound, but to gain a deeper understanding of your artistic choices.
List your reference tracks in a .txt file using the format: Artist – Track Name.
Please avoid including any links or audio files.
9. Package and send.
Place all files in a folder.
Name it as: Artist Name – Track or EP Name.
Make sure that there are no unnecessary files in the folder, such as audio analysis files, project files, etc.
Archive as a .ZIP file.
Upload your tracks here: DropBox Link
Please ensure all steps are followed, as improperly prepared files may be rejected.
Looking forward to making your track sound its best.
Thanks,
Paul.