Gettin' a bit nervous

[wesley tanner]

here's the situation... I run a pretty small time studio out of my place, and one of the guys I'm finishing up with is about to get his stuff mastered, at Studio B in omaha... I'm getting a bit worried, because usually I offer free changes and such (to a reasonable degree). Anyways, I've never sent my mixes out to be mastered anywhere other than small time places. What're the things I should double check/make sure of in my mixes before I send them off for good? don't freggin' tell me not to compress the whole thing either, I'm not an idiot.

[Halion]

Try listening to them on as many different speaker systems as possible, and if you find something that should be changed, do it carefully. That's really all I can say.

[Track Rat]

That and don't put a compressor accross the entire mix, MEs hate that.

[masteringhouse]

Documentation!

Nothing shows a lack of professionalism more than not having a track list and the format of the audio printed somewhere. If non-attended also include the song order and any notes in regards to editing. It's also helpful to bring one or two references to demonstrate what sound you're going for. If your mixes sound like the refs only lower in volume and a little dull in comparison you're probably right on the money.

Oh yeah, and if the mixes are on a CD-R use good media. If analog be sure to include ref tones.