What counts as a stem
A stem is one logical group of tracks that move together in the mix: all drums, bass, lead vocal, backing vocals, synths, and so on. Some producers deliver dozens of tracks; others deliberately group down to eight to twelve stems for flexibility without clutter.
For Mixing per track (€192) or an EP package (€565), stems should match how we need to adjust balance and space. Agree upfront whether you supply a full DAW session or audio stems only.
Technical baseline
Export stems from the same start point (bar 1, beat 1) with identical length. Use one sample rate for the whole project — often 48 kHz for video or 44.1 kHz for music-only. Bit depth: 24-bit WAV or AIFF is standard; 32-bit float is fine if your mix engineer asks for it.
Bypass limiters, maximizers and heavy bus compression on export buses. Leave headroom — peaks around −6 dBFS are common. Do not dither until the final master step.
Check mono compatibility on bass and kick: collapse to mono and listen for phase issues.
Naming and folders
Use short, consistent names: 01_Drums.wav, 02_Bass.wav, 03_LeadVox.wav. Avoid spaces and odd characters; underscores are fine. Put song title and tempo in the folder name, not only in the file.
Include a tracklist.txt with tempo, key, references and notes (“chorus vocal +1 dB intended”). Multiple songs: one folder per title.
Send large bundles via wetransfer or cloud link; test the link. We keep uploads for 18 months; keep your own copy.
Vocals and effects
Stem vocals separately: lead, doubles, ad-libs, backing. Optionally supply a dry lead plus a version with spatial effects as reference — label clearly Dry versus Fx. Do not bake essential tuning into a bounce we cannot adjust.
Reverb and delay on sends usually stay out of stems unless they define the sound. When unsure: two exports (dry stems + fx reference mix).
Just finished vocal recording with us? Ask which takes are marked as comps before you stem yourself.
MIDI and alternatives
If you use virtual instruments, consider archiving MIDI plus presets alongside audio stems. Not every mix engineer has the same plugins; audio stems are safest for external mix.
Live instruments tracked in our live room (about 24 m²) export per mic or per group as agreed with the engineer.
In-studio mix by the hour (€92) can include DAW work on site — agree what you adjust here versus what you prep at home.
Common mistakes
- Stems with different start times or lengths.
- MP3 or AAC conversion steps in the chain.
- Clipping on individual stems from hot buses.
- No track list, so tempo changes go wrong.
- Missing silence at start/end shifting edits.
A quick headphone check before upload prevents most surprises.
Revisions and next steps
Mixing typically includes 2 revision rounds within agreed scope. Give concrete feedback (“less bass on phone”, “shorter snare”) with timestamps.
After approval, the track often moves to mastering (€105 per track). Read streaming loudness targets so you know what mastering aims for.
Questions about rights on deliverables: terms and conditions and privacy policy.
Pre-upload checklist
| Item | Check |
|---|---|
| Format | 24-bit WAV, one sample rate |
| Length | All stems equal, from bar 1 |
| Headroom | No clip, room to −6 dBFS |
| Names | Number + role, no duplicates |
| Meta | tracklist.txt with bpm/key |
| Backup | Your copy + working link |
Upload via the method on your quote or request intake through contact. Phone 020 245 8317, email [email protected].
