Core rule: lossless and one sample rate
Deliver stems as WAV or AIFF, preferably 24-bit. Pick one sample rate for the whole project — 44.1 kHz is common for streaming release, 48 kHz when material comes from video or broadcast. Do not mix rates in one zip; convert in your DAW beforehand with a quality converter.
MP3 or AAC are fine as references, not as mix sources. If you only have mp3s, say so via contact; re-tracking at band recording or vocal recording is sometimes cheaper than mixing heavily compressed material.
Stems versus stereo bounce
At €280 per track we expect overdubbable stems: drums (optionally split kick, snare, overheads), bass, guitars, keys, lead vocal, backing vocals, FX returns where relevant. A single stereo bounce is enough for mastering or a quick check, not for an in-depth mix with 2 revision rounds included.
Export from the same start point (bar 1, sample 0) so everything aligns. Disable limiters and maximizers on the master bus before export; leave headroom so we can restore dynamics. Our control room uses 4 monitor pairs — consistent stems make A/B against your reference straightforward.
Naming and folders
Use short, unambiguous names: 01_DrumKit.wav, 02_BassDI.wav, 03_GtrRhythm_L.wav. Avoid «final FINAL v3». Folder layout per song:
Artist_SongTitle_Stems/Artist_SongTitle_Refs/for reference tracksArtist_SongTitle_Notes.txtwith tempo, key and notes
Upload via the link we send after booking, or bring an SSD to Columbusplein 26, 1056 TS Amsterdam. We keep project material for 24 months under terms and conditions; keep your own backups too.
References and expectations
Send one or two reference songs (genre match, not necessarily sound-alike) and note what you want from them: «dry vocal upfront», «wide guitars», «little reverb on drums». References are not a copy order; they still save hours of €85 session time.
If you have a rough mix, export it as a separate stereo file. Mark must-haves (hook must sit above the beat) versus nice-to-haves. For albums: €950 up to ten tracks — use the same stem layout on each song so the album feels coherent.
MIDI, tuning and edits
MIDI files are welcome for software instruments; label which synth plugin you used. Vocal tuning (Melodyne, Auto-Tune) can be a separate stem or we work from raw vocals — agree before the mix. Drum time-alignment is available on request; say so if live takes have small shifts.
Edits and comping should be done before mixing. New takes mid revision cycle count as extra work outside the included 2 rounds unless agreed otherwise.
From mix to master
After approval we deliver stereo mixdowns without master limiting for mastering, plus formatted versions for streaming if agreed. Mastering is €65 per track; an EP up to five tracks is €220.
Rights on mix and master are set in your deal with us and with co-performers — see mastering and rights. Questions about loudness for Spotify, Apple Music or vinyl belong in the master stage, not halfway through mix.
Common mistakes
| Issue | Effect | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Mismatched start times | Stems slip | Export from bar 1, bounce with tail |
| Limiter on master | No headroom | Bus processing off, peaks roughly −6 dBFS |
| Silent stems | Noise boosted in mix | Trim silence, no noise-only files |
| Double reverbs | Muddy mix | Send dry tracks, FX separate |
Unsure? Send a test zip with one song; we reply within 2 working days on whether it is ready.
Pre-upload checklist
- All stems WAV/AIFF, same sample rate and bit depth.
- No limiter on mix bus; room for dynamics.
- Clear file names and one folder per song.
- Reference plus short notes on sound goals.
- Tempo and key listed.
- Contact person and track list for invoicing (21% VAT on €280).
Ready to deliver? Get in touch for mixing or read FAQ on turnaround. Sessions you still need to track are booked via band recording or vocal recording.
