PREPARING THE TRACKS

The short version: Send me audio-only tracks that all start at the same "zero" point and continue until the song (or part) ends. Do not send "session files with regions or clips" that need to be placed in any kind of a grid. Do not send midi. Please reserve stereo tracks for sounds that are actually stereo rather than identical on both sides.

The long version: Mixing in a computer is different from mixing on an analog board. Software versions play leapfrog with each other. There are different factors that go into which software I will use to mix a particular project. For these reasons, please prepare your song files so it will be possible for me to jump around from software to software easily.

YOU MUST PRINT ANY EFFECTS THAT YOU FEEL ARE IMPORTANT, SUCH AS "AUTO-TUNE". I MAY NOT HAVE THE SAME VERSIONS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN USING AND THE SOUND MAY BE DIFFERENT.

ALL TRACKS SHOULD BE CONTINUOUS AND START FROM THE SAME POINT (EVEN IF THAT MEANS LARGE SPACES OF SILENCE FOR TRACKS THAT ONLY PLAY AT THE END OF A SONG).

** YOU MUST CHECK YOUR TRACKS BEFORE SENDING FOR CLICKS, GLITCHES OR OTHER PROBLEMS.

I will mix the tracks you send, but can not change parts (cut up or move parts around, fix performance timing, auto-tune, or replace tracks with new parts).

Once a song is mixed, changing a part is like changing the shape of a piece in a completed jigsaw puzzle. Sometimes it is necessary to take part of the puzzle apart or even start over.

ALL SONGS MUST INCLUDE CLEAR UNDERSTANDABLE TRACK NAMES (what is the part, not just the track number) AND OVERLY DESCRIPTIVE DOCUMENTATION AND COMMENTS.

Give me "too much information": I was mixing for the Rinken Band, and Rinken asked me to fade an arpeggio in and out. When I did he said that it was not right. So I tried it again and he told me it was not what he had in mind. At that point I stopped the tape, turned to face him and asked him if he could better describe what he wanted. He told me to imagine a row of tall hedges with a boy in a yellow shirt running on the other side. You can't see through the hedges, but sometimes you see bits of his yellow shirt peeking through. I thought this was a brilliant image, and I immediately rode the arpeggio exactly like he wanted.

HOW TO PREPARE PROTOOLS FILES FOR MIXING:

1- Always make a safety copy of all work first and work with a copy.
2- Bounce all "fades" and effects that must be there (autotune, fuzz, etc).
3- Continuous files that all start from the same point (such as zero). In protools, add a small file at the beginning of each, click 3x on a sound clip within the track to select the entire track and then choose "duplicate" from the AudioSuite menu and make sure you see "continuous" and "playlist" in the window before clicking OK.
4- In the audio window, "select unused regions", then "clear selected" ** but ONLY clear. DO NOT DELETE THE FILES FROM THE DISK
5- You should now have a session with only the tracks you will be using. All the tracks should now start from the same starting point (even if some of the tracks have no actual sounds from the starting point)
6- In the file menu, select "save session as" and select ALL files, etc
7- Go through and make sure that all files are renamed properly. There should be nothing that is called "audio..". If you absolutely want something on the left or right, include that in the file name (ex: "verse gtr l", "organ l", "organ r").
8- Close all sessions and then open the new session you have created. Listen once to be sure everything is there.
9- Now burn the new session(s) to CD to mail to me. There is a good chance that the folder is much smaller now.

** Always work with a copy of your project **

PREPARING THE BUDGET

WHAT IS A GOOD RATE FOR STARVING ARTISTS OR LOW BUDGET LABELS?

I am currently working on several projects at different rates. Obviously rate is a factor when I decide what I will do on a given day, but so are project deadlines and even my particular mood (Jazz, Reggae, Rap or Hardcore?). I do get around to all projects with reasonable rates. So how can YOU figure out a good rate to offer for your project? This may help:

First, calculate your budget for mixing and/or mastering for the project. Do not forget to anticipate the budget you will need for recording, duplication, graphics, marketing and distribution. You should not end up with a set number, but rather a RANGE that you would be comfortable within.

Next, think about the work you will need done. How many songs? How long? How many tracks of instruments in each song? Do you need mixing, mastering or both? I suggest using the mixing / mastering request form on my web site to gather your information.

Finally, start to look at local studios. What range of prices would you have to pay in order to have the work done near enough for you to attend the sessions? Find the lowest price (bedroom or basement studio) and the highest price (the best commercial studio & top engineer). Bear in mind that "name" engineers can charge as much or more than studio time (it’s not the gear that counts but rather who is working it).

Now you should have two price ranges, how much you want to spend and how much the work can potentially cost.

Of course any work can be done as quickly as possible, but project quality usually increases with the amount of time spent working. Mixes can be "thrown" up or labored over.

If your budget is at the low end of the rates you have been quoted, you may have to accept that your work will have to be done quickly. I would do the work for a rate near the top of your range.

If your budget is similar to the range you have been quoted, I would do the work for a rate between 2/3 and the top of your range. Please bear in mind that time spent working is still based on project budget.

If your budget exceeds the range you have been quoted, then I suggest we discuss various way you can get the absolute best final product (including how, where and with whom you plan to record the project).

My rates (even flat) are based on a greatly varying hourly rate. I will not quote a specific rate per hour or project, because it would scare away people who cannot afford it and also limit how much I earn with those who can. But what I do promise is that every project will get the proper time and attention according to it’s budget.

"LOW BUDGET LABELS AND "WELL-FED ARTISTS":

Recently there has been an increase in mid-budget work, which follows similar guidelines except for more time to perfect the mix, higher priority scheduling and other advantages.