Workflow

[Zydrus]

Hey all,

I'm curious about your workflow. And that might not even be the right word for what I'm asking advice on. I'm a singer/songwriter so I don't record with a full band. Here is how my process goes then I'll ask about pros and cons or what I should changes.

I use Reaper for my DAW.

1. Once I have my song mapped out I'll do the tracking of each instrument.
2. Then I'll do any edit/overdubs.
3. Then I'll mix it.
4. Then I'll master it via my Master channel (2 Buss).
5. Export the track as (Mp3) and load it up on the web.

The point I'm trying to get at is I do it all in the same session so to speak. Please point out anything that would make my life easier but the point of post is really this. Do you do your tracking and editing, then export the stems (is that what they are called?). Load them into a new session and mix. Then export that as a stereo track and do your mastering?

 

[Armistice]

I do it all in a single (Reaper) session. You'll find others here who prefer to export the stereo track and master separately, particularly if they're mastering several things at once and they're trying to get them to be sonically coherent - ie. an album.

And if you're actually creating an album you physically have to get all the stereo tracks out and into somewhere else to create the master file / disc / whatever.

When I was mastering my album I found I was continually having to go back and remix things so it made it simpler to have all the master processing (EQ, limiting etc.) back in the original session and just export new versions to my master track list whenever I made a change.

But that says more about my mixing ability than it being a good work practice. More experienced / better mixers probably wouldn't do it that way.

Single track... do what you're doing, but save different versions along the way, is my advice.