Stems versus full multitrack
Stems are grouped tracks — e.g. drums bus, bass DI, rhythm guitars, lead vocal — with a rough balance already. Multitrack is every take separately. At Monoxyleorix we mix both; stems are faster when you committed at home, multitrack gives more control over edits and space.
Choose before you book mixing. Per song €185 incl. VAT covers mix from supplied material with 2 revision rounds; hourly €88 suits iterative work or complex projects. EP up to six songs: €680.
Sample rate, bit depth and start point
Deliver WAVs in one sample rate and bit depth per project — default 24-bit / 48 kHz unless your master chain needs 44.1 kHz for CD legacy. Do not bounce back and forth between float and fixed point without reason; export from your DAW in the session’s native format.
All files must start from the same zero point (bar 1, beat 1). No loose clips without timecode unless you include a tempo map. Click or guide may sit on a separate track, clearly labelled e.g. GUIDE_MUTE — we mute it in the mix.
Naming and folder layout
Use ASCII names without spaces: SongTitle_DrumsBus.wav, SongTitle_BassDI.wav, SongTitle_LeadVox.wav. Do not label takes cryptically (Audio_47.wav helps nobody). One folder per song, zip or upload link; state total size in your email.
Include a README.txt with BPM, key, desired loudness hint (not master level, but “quiet / medium / aggressive”), and reference track links or files. Point to band budget if stems come from our band recording — then we know which takes are already comped.
Level, headroom and processing
Export stems with headroom: peaks around −6 dBFS are common; everything clipped or limited on every bus makes mixing harder. Skip heavy mastering-style bus processing unless it is a deliberate creative choice — say so.
Vocal tuning and time alignment are not default on every mix; discuss at quote. Vocals from our vocal booth are usually dry; your home stems may have light EQ if you note it.
References and communication
Two references at most, with timestamps (“chorus of track A feels too close”). References are not copy orders — they calibrate expectation on low end, vocal presence and stereo width. Too many references at once produce conflicting feedback.
Revisions run via email or agreed channel within 2 rounds; extra rounds at hourly €88. We reply within 1 business day on delivery questions; send stems at least a few days before your deadline if you have a release date.
Delivery from Monoxyleorix sessions
After band or vocal recording with us we can export multitrack or stem bounces as agreed on session day. Archive keeps projects 24 months (terms, privacy); then we delete — download in time.
Mix and master are booked separately. Rough bounces for home check are not distribution masters; for release see mastering (€68 per song). Contact for a quote on your track list.
Common mistakes
- Mono and stereo stems mixed without saying so in README.
- Heavy reverb on every stem — better to deliver dry.
- Different start times after export from different projects.
- MP3 as only source — always supply lossless WAV for mix.
- No single contact: we wait until someone answers questions.
Podcast or speech falls under podcast and audiobook, not song mix — different workflow and rate €78 per hour.
Checklist before upload
- One folder per song, WAV 24/48 (or agreed format).
- All stems time-aligned, same length.
- README: BPM, key, notes, references.
- Guide/click separate and clearly marked.
- Mix quote confirmed via contact; VAT 21% in price €185.
Rights and master after delivery: mastering rights and files. Vocal prep before recording: prepare vocal session. Questions: FAQ or 020 244 8916.
