Best format to MIX/Master too

[d(-_-)b-Phones]

Would it be WAV, MP3, MIDI, AIFF, WMA?

There are alot of options and Bit rates etc.... Im just wondering the best format to mix too / master too.

Also many vars. com into place like size vs quality, and the happy medium.

 

[AlChuck]

Bets depends on what world you're in, Windows or Mac. But you certainly want a standard, uncompressed audio format for masters. WAV for Windows, AIFF for Mac, but either of those are also usable on either platform so it's not a huge issue.

 

[d(-_-)b-Phones]

Thanks for the advice. I figued wav might be the Best idea for masters, Just wondering after that how to keep the quality up and fit 10 tracks to CD.

 

[fraserhutch]

Thanks for the advice. I figued wav might be the Best idea for masters, Just wondering after that how to keep the quality up and fit 10 tracks to CD.

10 tracks on a cd should be no problem at 44.1/16bit, if they are of the appropriate length (~3minutes/track).

I believe CD tracks are generally saved as wave files, certainly they are uncompressed and thus lossless.

 

[Massive Master]

Stay in 24-bit PCM (aif, wav, etc.) until the mastering phase. Dithering down to 16-bit should be at the last possible moment.