Hi, everyone do you know your mixing session must be prepared!

As I recently had this question, I thought it would be good to start the first article of the blog with the topic that concerns you all: «How to prepare your mixing session? ».

“How do I prepare a track for audio mixing? ».

Audio Mixing
Audio Mixing in Logic Pro X

For those of you who don’t know the term audio mixing follow this link.

This morning, I received a message asking me: «If I send you my Ableton session live, could you mix it? ».

Indeed it would be easier to send me your session that I could work with Ableton Live. However, it would require a tune-up on the plug-ins you are using, the version of the software you are using, and ultimately we would waste time on compatibility issues to be able to share a file for mixing session.

To be simple, we need to be able to share tracks universally and the only way is to export tracks.

The general idea will be to export your separately recorded tracks, then synchronize everything in an uncompressed audio format, for example a WAV or AIFF file. I do not recommend sending compressed MP3 files for mixing session because it will influence the quality of the mix. 

Here are the 8 steps to follow to prepare your song to be mixed:

1- Your audio editing:

check your cuts and fades.

2- Finish your job:

Check you have not forgotten anything

3- Naming Properly:

4- Before exporting:

5- Synchronize your audio tracks:

It’s one of the most important parts!!!!

Why check the synchro because the software on the market does it?

6- When exporting:

7- Note:

It is important to put a text or PDF file in the folder that will contain your audio tracks.

In this document, note the following:

8- Session format:

Questions and Answers

Frequently asked questions about exporting for a mix:

How to do with my drum track:

should I export my drum track as separate elements or do I make a stereo file of the drum? »

So be it:

If you group your tracks into a stereo file, it is because you are used to making your own artistic selections and it is your choice. On the other hand, you give me less freedom to do the mixing work on your track.

As far as I’m concerned, I’m going to work with your subject.

Personally, in today’s music I prefer to have the most separate elements possible

Specifically for the drums concerning the bass drum and the snare drum, as well as for the guitars and vocals.

An example: recently I received a Lead voice file to mix. The client sent it to me with the choirs in it. Result: it is impossible to process the lead voice without affecting the choirs.

Another different example, which is 100% assumed by the composer. It is when you send me a recorded sample from a vinyl or live recording that you want to remix. It’s not embarrassing, it’s part of the sound material of your composition.

« Do I have to leave or remove my effects such as equalization, compression etc. before exporting my tracks? »

 It is true that with all the possibilities we have in terms of effects and sound processing possibilities, it would be a shame to deprive ourselves of these tools during the composition stage.

In addition, we want our music to sound pleasantly before the mixing stage, simply to please us and to make others listen to it. From my point of view, I consider that effects and plug-ins, whether digital or analog, are part of the arrangement or composition stage of your music.

Your Flavor

The easiest way is to leave them, with a little flat: If, for example, you have put a reverb on your voice, it is because you like the way it sounds. You like the audio rendering that is done with this reverb and maybe you would like to keep it in the final version. The same is true for choruses, equalization, compression…

In this case, the easiest way is to make two exports: the first without effect, the second with. Don’t forget to specify it on the track and in the notes file that you will attach to your export!

From my point of view, I consider that effects and plug-ins, whether digital or analog, are part of the arrangement or composition stage of your music. The easiest way is to leave them, with a little flat:

If, for example, you have put a reverb on your voice, it’s because you like the way it sounds. You like the audio rendering that is done with this reverb and maybe you would like to keep it in the final version. The same is true for choruses, equalization, compression… In this case, the easiest way is to make two exports: the first without effect, the second with. Don’t forget to specify it on the track and in the notes file that you will attach to your export!

« My reverbs and delays are on auxiliaries, should I export them? »

Yes, making sure that the plug-in has the Wet setting at 100% and specifying it on the audio file (example Lead_vox_Reverb_WET) and in the notes file.

« During the realization of my music production, I put a Master bus plug-in. Do I have to remove my Master bus plug-in before exporting? »


If you have put a Master bus plug-in or several plug-ins to make a Master bus, it means you know what you are doing. However, you will have to ensure that your export does not become digitally saturated. Preferably, leave some margin at the decibel level, think that there will be mixing and maybe then mastering….

The final word

Now that you know how to prepare your mock-up for mixing session, you can choose between my 3 offers

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