Thank You for your interest in Grush Audio. We're thrilled you're coming to work with us. Before we begin there are a few things you need to know before you can send us your song to mix.
The guidelines below will help you prepare your song in a manner that will make your project go smoothly, and faster. Once you've completed the work below please share your session or audio files with me via Dropbox, WeTransfer, etc.
If you have any questions please write to me at the email below.
shane.grush@grushaudio.com
Mix Preparation Guidelines
1.) All files must have proper crossfades, fade-ins, fade-outs, etc. done prior to delivery. Please solo individual tracks and check for clicks and pops.
2.) All edits as far as timing, arrangements, what files to use or not use must be done prior to delivery. Please do not use mute automation to demonstrate your arrangement-please commit to it within the audio file.
3.) All vocal tuning (if any) MUST be done prior to delivery, with the resultant files printed to the track. DO NOT just leave an Auto-Tune (or equivalent) plugin on the track.
Any resultant tuning requested by the artist after delivery will incur additional fees and an adjustment to the budget.
4.) All plugins must be removed from the session. If there is a specific effect decision you have made during the recording, the effect must be printed to the track. Do not assume I have the same plugin (or version) as you.
If you are unsure about committing to a specific effect, print a dry version, and an affected version. Label each version clearly (”DRY” AND “FX”). Reverbs should not be printed. This applies to more specific effects such as flanging, phasing, etc.
5.) All automation must be removed from the session.
6.) All files must be consolidated and bounced to zero (or the start of the session), and any unused files must be deleted from the disk. If you are worried about losing anything, save a session copy on a new drive.
Avid Pro Tools Users:
1. Only give me the tracks you want in your song. Multiple playlists or anything in question should be decided on prior to sending me your session.
2. Properly name all audio tracks and please keep it simple. I don't need to know which preamp was used when you were tracking. Just what the track consists of.
For Example GTR for guitar. Not "Guitar + API+ Distressor." For drum overheads please label which side of the kit OH Hat and OH Ride. Same for room mics. Room Hat and Room Ride.
3. Render all elastic audio and make sure the session tempo is correct.
4. Consolidate all audio files from the top of the session to the end of the session. Please make sure that all fades and crossfades are correct before consolidating to prevent any unwanted pops and clicks in the audio.
5. In your Protools session please make sure you "save a copy in" select a destination drive and make sure you select "all audio files". This ensures that even if you are pulling audio from several drives that all of it will be copied into one session. This is the session you send to me via Dropbox, WeTransfer, etc.
6. Some mixers work off of your rough mix / from where you left off. Not me. I earn my money and start every mix from scratch. So unless there are plugins you want to leave on for a certain sound or vibe, please remove them. All Autotune or Melodyne must be printed.
7. Include your rough mix in the session. This helps me understand what you've been hearing, what the label has been hearing etc. I'm not going to chase it. It's just for reference.
Logic Users:
1. If working in Logic please watch the video below and follow the simple instructions to ensure your audio tracks are being properly exported.
2. After exporting Logic files make sure to label the folder with the song's tempo, sample rate, and bit depth.
For example: "Song Title"- 132 BPM 24 bit 48k
All of the above is absolutely necessary to ensure I have exactly what I need to mix your song on the scheduled day.