Question about sending stems

[Bruce4M]

I'm not new to Taxi, but I am new regarding having to send stems. What kind of format is required? Wave, MP3? Flac? And can they go in a Zip file? Do some supervisors use dropbox? What are the general rules etc when sending stems? Thanks for any feedback I can get. Bruce M

[cosmicdolphin]

What kind of format is required? Wave, MP3? Flac?

If they want stems the LIbrary should tell you in their submission guidelines the required format. But the same format as the main file, so not MP3 and I've never had a LIbrary ask for FLAC files. Usually they want 24bit 48k Wavs ...but not always.

And can they go in a Zip file? Do some supervisors use dropbox? What are the general rules etc when sending stems?

Again it depends what the Library ask for. They may ask for you to use a service like Dropbox, or WeTransfer or they may have an online platform that you upload them to. Each library is different.

I wouldn't waste any time making Alt Mixes or Stems if you are not sure which Library they will end up in as they all want slightly different things.

[Bruce4M]

Thanks for the reply! That was helpful,

[Casey H]

I wouldn't waste any time making Alt Mixes or Stems if you are not sure which Library they will end up in as they all want slightly different things.

I agree. Exception would be the obvious one-- if it's a vocal song, the no-vocal mix. Many people do format conversions outside the DAW with programs like iTunes, Switch, etc. If you do your initial mixdowns at the highest ever asked for format, 48K 24 bit, you can later make 48K 16 bit, 44.1K 16 bit outside the DAW and not need to go back to the sessions. That's my preference and that of many.

Casey