How to Prepare Tracks for Mixing: An Engineer's Checklist

THE QUICK ANSWER

Here’s how to prepare tracks for mixing: export individual 24-bit WAVs at your session’s sample rate, all with the same start and length. Remove master-bus processing, leave peaks around -6 dB, name every file, and include your rough mix and reference songs.

Every mix starts with what you send me. This is the same checklist that’s in my free file-prep guide. It covers what I need before I start balancing the record.

01 / THE FILES

Tracks, stems or a two-track: what does a mix engineer need?

Send individual tracks, also called multitracks, if you have them. Each vocal, drum and instrument gets its own file, so I can work on each part.

Multitracks, stems and a two-track
You have	What it is	What it's for
Multitracks (individual tracks)	every recorded or produced part on its own file: lead vocal, each background vocal, kick, snare, bass, keys…	mixing (what I want)
Stems	groups of tracks bounced together: all drums, all vocals, all music	mixing when that's all you have (leased beats, AI songs), or stem mastering (up to 4)
Two-track	one stereo file of the whole song	mastering

People often use “stems” to mean individual tracks, but a stem is a group bounced together. If stems are all you have, from a leased beat or an AI song, send them and say they’re stems.

A two-track is the whole song in one stereo file. If that’s your finished mix, it’s a mastering job; the parts aren’t separate for mixing.

02 / BEFORE YOU EXPORT

What should you do before you export?

Clear the master bus, leave headroom and print your software instruments before exporting. Then decide which effects belong to the sound and which were only helping the rough mix feel louder.

Clear the master bus. No limiter, maximizer, master-bus EQ or compression on the exported tracks.
Leave headroom. Aim for your loudest peaks sitting around -6 dB on the master fader, not kissing 0 dB. Nothing should be clipping.
Print your instruments. Freeze or bounce software instruments so nothing goes missing on my end. Send the sound as audio.
Decide on effects. Mick Morrison’s general guidance is to remove loudness-only processing but keep defining effects, like an amp sim or a deliberate vocal effect. If unsure, send both, labeled Wet and Dry.
Finish your tuning or say so. Morrison also recommends finalizing pitch correction before export unless you’ve arranged for it during mixing.

Your rough mix can keep its master-bus processing to show what you were hearing. These effects and tuning recommendations come from Mick Morrison’s multitrack guide (checked Oct 31, 2026).

03 / EXPORT SETTINGS

What export settings should you use?

Use WAV, 24-bit, your session’s sample rate, the same start point and the same length for every file. Keep normalization off.

Export settings for your mix files
Setting	Use	Avoid
Format	WAV	MP3 or other compressed files
Bit depth	24-bit (32-bit float is fine if your DAW offers it)	16-bit for multitracks
Sample rate	the session's own rate (usually 44.1 or 48 kHz)	converting up or down before sending
Start and length	every file starts at the same point and runs the full song	trimming files to where each part plays
Level	peaks around -6 dB, nothing clipping	normalizing, or slamming to 0 dB
Fades	none, unless part of the performance	fades baked in "to be safe"

MP3 throws detail away for good. Send the WAV exports rather than converting compressed files back into WAVs.

Leave the silence before a part enters in place. It keeps that part lined up when the files are imported together.

Ableton’s export guidance also covers full-arrangement exports and turning normalization off; it recommends 32-bit. My requested delivery is 24-bit WAV, with 32-bit float fine if offered (source checked Oct 31, 2026).

04 / NAMING

How should you name and organize the files?

Name every file what it actually is: “Lead Vocal.wav,” not “Audio 3.wav.” Put each song’s files in its own labeled folder.

Background vocals can be BGV 1 and BGV 2. A useful name lets me identify the part before I press play.

“On a 40-track session it’s the difference between me starting in five minutes or forty.”
Luis Canción · File Prep Guide

05 / WHAT ELSE

What else should you send with your tracks?

Send your rough mix, 1–3 reference songs, BPM and key, and your notes alongside the tracks. Those tell me where you want the record to go.

Your rough mix. Include the version that shows the direction you were going.
1–3 reference songs. Choose sounds you want, not necessarily songs from your genre.
BPM and key. Include both with the song’s notes.
Notes. Tell me about a moment that needs to hit harder or a take you’re unsure about.

I cover references and a premix in my gospel and R&B guide. The last version you worked on helps me understand your vision.

“Overcommunicate here; it saves a revision round later.”
Luis Canción · File Prep Guide

06 / YOUR PRICE

How does track count set your price?

The tier for each song is set by track count: $299 up to 15 tracks, $549 for 16–30, and $699 for 31–80. For 81+ tracks, request a quote; mastering is included.

Mix tiers add $50 per minute over 4 minutes. The Builder adds a 3% processing fee, and turnaround is 5–7 business days after payment and complete files.

Count your tracks before choosing a tier. See how much mixing costs for the breakdown, or view the mix & master packages.

07 / CHECKLIST

The quick checklist: ready to send?

Check these eight items before sending your files. They’re the quick checklist from my file-prep guide.

08 / QUICK ANSWERS

What else should you know before sending tracks?

Here are the quick answers to the file-prep questions covered above, including what to send when you’re working with stems.

What files do I send a mixing engineer?

Every track in your session as its own WAV, plus your rough mix, 1–3 reference songs, BPM and key, and notes. One labeled folder per song.

Should I send stems or multitracks?

Multitracks if you have them, because they give the most control. If stems are all you have, send them and say they're stems.

Should I leave effects on when I export?

Leave off processing that only made your rough mix louder. Keep effects that are part of the sound, and if you're not sure, send both versions labeled Wet and Dry.

What bit depth and sample rate should I use?

24-bit WAV at your session's own sample rate, usually 44.1 or 48 kHz. Don't convert it before sending.

How much headroom should I leave?

Keep your loudest peaks around -6 dB on the master fader, with nothing on the master bus. Make sure nothing is clipping.

Should I send my rough mix?

Yes. It shows the direction you were already going, even if there are things you want changed.

I made my song with Suno or another AI tool. What do I send?

The stems, the AI version as your rough mix and a reference song. I take Suno, AI and stem projects.

How long does the mix take once I send files?

5–7 business days after payment and complete files. Send the complete file package so the session is ready to start.

READY WHEN YOUR FILES ARE

Send me your session

Count your tracks, pick your tier and see an itemized total, mastering included.

Open the Project Builder

Mixing yourself first?

Mixing yourself first? My Logic Pro mix template and vocal presets are in the Preset Vault.

Need help with the export?

Stuck on an export, or not sure what to send? Book a 30-minute consult ($49.99), try a $100 test mix on a short clip, or send me a message.

book a consult · Send me a message

Luis “Canción” Calderón Jr.

Award-winning mix engineer and producer. Dove Award–nominated records with Social Club Misfits & Lecrae, and work for Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group.

About Luis