THE MIXING process

LET’S START MIXING

TAKE YOUR MUSIC TO THE NEXT LEVEL

1. Prepare your song for mixing

Preparing your song for a mix will cut down your overall costs substantially. Here are some tips. Step one is preparing your session and organizing your files. We work with the industry standard software Pro Tools. The best way to transfer files to us is to consolidate every track in your session into one solid .wav file that begins at bar 1.

Organization for ProTools users – Organize your session files to minimize the decision-making our mix engineers need to make. We are a Protools-based studio so make sure that you are only sending us ProTools sessions. Before sending sessions please delete unused clips, rename files properly, and makes sure that your song is arranged and organized to your liking.

2. Make sure your song is complete

It’s essential to make all final edit decisions before sending your session.

2. Quantizing and Tuning

Make sure there are no timing issues or transients off the grid and correct these issues before sending the session. It would help if you tuned all of your vocal tracks before sending your files over.

3. CONSOLODITE AND ZIP YOUR FILES

The best way to transfer files to us is to consolidate every track in your session into one, solid .wav or .aiff file that starts at bar 1 and ends at the very end of your song. If done correctly, every audio file will line up at the start when our mix engineers import the files into Protools. Hit the link below for instructions on how to export from other popular DAWs. How to export your song for mixing.

Pro Tools users, click edit, save a copy in, and check the box that says audio files. This will create a new folder with the session file and the audio files folder. Zip this file and send it off. Similar methods apply to every other DAW.

Leveling

Leveling is the process of balancing the volume of audio on each individual track. This is the most common starting point and foundation to a great mix. Leveling is simple in its concept but requires skilled engineers to view a song in its entirety and make the best leveling decisions for a mix.

Enhancing

Enhancing is the process in which an engineer polishes the vocal or instrument of each track. Boosting eq, surgical eq, compression, and many other tools can surely bring out the glitter and shine that consumers desire from commercial releases.

Arrangement

The art of arrangement is the flow of a song from start to finish. It has sections: like an intro, verse, buildup, chorus, breakdown, drop, outro, and more. During the arrangement process, a mix engineer can arrange vocals or instruments to convey the desired emotion in a song.

Spacial Dimension

Spacial dimension is the process by which an engineer focuses on creating space by panning and modulating the vocals or instruments on each track. Creating space can open a song sonically allowing for a more balanced mix.

Effects Processing

Adding effects to a mix will surely give the song its final touches reverb, delays, and other tools help to shape the mix by creating an atmosphere for the song to exist in. Many great songs are defined by the effects used during mixing.

Our goal at Bay Eight is to provide you with the most unique, high-quality recording experience ever. In order for us to assure convenience and accessibility to all of our clients, it is important that all guests adhere to our recording studio policies.

YOUR MIXING SESSION

Mixing sessions are billed at an hourly rate, there are a minimum of four (4) hours to book a mixing session. If a mix exceeds the four (4) hour minimum additional time can be scheduled to complete the mix. Mixing can be done with or without the client in attendance. If in attendance, please arrive on time for your scheduled booking as we do not push sessions back for tardiness. If you show up to your session late you will still be charged for the full-time schedule.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellations made after the 24-hour deadline will result in a cancellation fee equal to the total amount of the scheduled studio time or a forfeit of deposit/prepayment.

RESCHEDULING POLICY

You are only allowed to reschedule your session one time. Rescheduled sessions after the initial change will result in the forfeit of deposit/prepayment. Any changes made after the 24-hour deadline will result in a cancellation fee equal to the total amount of the scheduled studio time or a forfeit of deposit/prepayment.

MISSED APPOINTMENT POLICY

A “missed appointment” is an occurrence where someone does not show up for an appointment and does not cancel the appointment in advance of the scheduled date and time. If you do not show up for your appointment and you do not cancel the appointment 24 hours in advance, we will record this as a “missed appointment” and will result in a missed appointment fee equal to the total amount of the scheduled studio time or a forfeit of deposit/prepayment.

PAYMENTS AND FEES

We accept major label PO’S, cash, wire transfers, and credit card/debit cards. There is a 4% processing fee when accepting credit card payments. A $15.00 wire transfer fee will be applied to all wire transfers. Payments must be made in full.

YOUR FILES

We are not responsible for your session files. We will send your final mix to you via email in .wav format. Upon approval, the full session will be sent via we transfer upon your request

Enter your information below and select “Mixing” for the subject and we will reach out to you about getting your mixing project started.

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