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Stems... (apologies if this is a repetition)

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2019 2:12 pm
by MBantle
Dear All,
I got a comprehensive question. In simple terms, when being asked to mix stems does that mean a) you just bounce the stems 'soloed in your session file' with the settings of the original (entire) song or b) you treat them almost as individual 'songs' so that they sound good if used individually? I hope my question makes sense.
Cheers,
Matt

Re: Stems... (apologies if this is a repetition)

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2019 6:57 pm
by ttully
Hi Matt,

Every library that I deal with wants different mixes of the track.... not necessarily stems.

Usually a full mix, drums and bass only, minus drums and bass, minimal and sometimes a few others.

I just mute the unwanted tracks in the song or instrumental and bounce to disk.
Each different mix must be the EXACT same length!!!!
Even if the drums don't start until a minute in ..... start and end all the tracks at the EXACT same place.
I never do any other processing..... nothing at all !!!!

I hope that helps,
Tim

Re: Stems... (apologies if this is a repetition)

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:37 am
by MBantle
ttully wrote:
Thu Jan 03, 2019 6:57 pm
Hi Matt,

Every library that I deal with wants different mixes of the track.... not necessarily stems.

Usually a full mix, drums and bass only, minus drums and bass, minimal and sometimes a few others.

I just mute the unwanted tracks in the song or instrumental and bounce to disk.
Each different mix must be the EXACT same length!!!!
Even if the drums don't start until a minute in ..... start and end all the tracks at the EXACT same place.
I never do any other processing..... nothing at all !!!!

I hope that helps,
Tim
Hi Tim,
This is very helpful. Do the libraries provide any specific instructions or is it just "we need a mix -drums and bass". Thanks again!
Cheers,
Matt

Re: Stems... (apologies if this is a repetition)

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2019 2:23 pm
by ttully
Hey Matt,

They will tell you what they want.
What type of file.... .wav .aif or even sometimes even mp3.

The bit depth and resolution... 24/48. 16/44.1 (etc).

And what mixes they want... some only want a full mix...
Others want a full mix and a mix without drums...and a mix without bass and drums .... (etc).
And maybe a 30 or 60 second mix....or maybe a 5 second stinger mix....
Those can be sometimes tough to figure out how to make your track....or part
of your track fit and still sound right... not sound cut off...

Tim

Re: Stems... (apologies if this is a repetition)

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:06 pm
by Razor7Music
ttully wrote:
Fri Jan 04, 2019 2:23 pm
Hey Matt,

They will tell you what they want.
What type of file.... .wav .aif or even sometimes even mp3.

The bit depth and resolution... 24/48. 16/44.1 (etc).

And what mixes they want... some only want a full mix...
Others want a full mix and a mix without drums...and a mix without bass and drums .... (etc).
And maybe a 30 or 60 second mix....or maybe a 5 second stinger mix....
Those can be sometimes tough to figure out how to make your track....or part
of your track fit and still sound right... not sound cut off...

Tim
This is great info, Tim!

I'm just curious of what turnaround you've been expected to meet with getting the alternative mixes in? I've spent a little time stressing over trying to predict what a library, music sup, etc. will want with stems, alt mixes, etc. and dreading the possibility that I'll get an email while I'm at my day job saying, "Hey, we need an "x" version of your mix in like 15 minutes to meet our production deadline", etc. etc. Does that ever happen or am I'm creating my own stress?

Thanks!

Stephen

Re: Stems... (apologies if this is a repetition)

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2019 6:07 pm
by ttully
Hey Stephen,

The unknown is what is creating your stress!!!
Most libraries usually give you a date stuff is due by....
Usually a few weeks in the future.

With many of the libraries I work with.... I know exactly what they are going to want....it's always the same.
I don't recall every having to send anything RIGHT NOW!!!
I usually send the final mixes as soon as I get their approval.... but waiting a day or 2 is
usually fine with them.

Here is an email I just received about a track, from a library I work with all the time:
Hi Tim,


Yeah, this is dope. Nice work. Can you just raise the snare 1 dB before sending final versions?

Can you send us the final 24 bit 48 KHz AIFs with the following mixes:

Full
No Drums or Sound Effects
Bass, Drums, and Sound Effects
Sparse (underscore - under dialog mix - something non-distracting)
And any other mixes, or instrument combinations, that you think will help the editors.

Please do not change the actual composition that has been approved. We simply want you to mute or solo tracks in order to produce these alternate mix downs. Do not remove any silence from the beginning of the track.

We will also need a signed schedule A, attached.

Thanks!
I hopes this helps!

Tim

Re: Stems... (apologies if this is a repetition)

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2019 11:22 am
by Razor7Music
ttully wrote:
Mon Jan 14, 2019 6:07 pm
Hey Stephen,

The unknown is what is creating your stress!!!
Most libraries usually give you a date stuff is due by....
Usually a few weeks in the future.

With many of the libraries I work with.... I know exactly what they are going to want....it's always the same.
I don't recall every having to send anything RIGHT NOW!!!
I usually send the final mixes as soon as I get their approval.... but waiting a day or 2 is
usually fine with them.

Here is an email I just received about a track, from a library I work with all the time:
Hi Tim,


Yeah, this is dope. Nice work. Can you just raise the snare 1 dB before sending final versions?

Can you send us the final 24 bit 48 KHz AIFs with the following mixes:

Full
No Drums or Sound Effects
Bass, Drums, and Sound Effects
Sparse (underscore - under dialog mix - something non-distracting)
And any other mixes, or instrument combinations, that you think will help the editors.

Please do not change the actual composition that has been approved. We simply want you to mute or solo tracks in order to produce these alternate mix downs. Do not remove any silence from the beginning of the track.

We will also need a signed schedule A, attached.

Thanks!
I hopes this helps!

Tim
Outstanding. That is exactly what I was looking for! I don't see a reason to have alternative mixes ahead of time if I don't know what will be wanted. It sounds like I would have time to come up with those alternatives after they're asked for.

Many thanks!