Delivery for Picture And Sound

Picture

Please deliver picture as a Quicktime Movie file. Visual burnt-in timecode is preferred and will speed up the process, but optional. Make sure the frame rate of your video matches the frame rate of the exported OMF / AAF sequence(s).

 File specifications:

I am able to accept other QuickTime formats and resolutions, however in most cases this will require me to convert these files to be compatible with my video playback system. Please take into account that you will be charged for the time spent converting and setting up your project. Resolutions less than 1280×720 make it difficult to accurately and confidently sync audio. While I can accept smaller resolution files, it is in everyone’s best interest to deliver  as close to FHD 1080p as possible.

Audio

Deliver all audio as an OMF 2.0 or AAF. We prefer the audio be “embedded”, which contains all related media within the file. If you must link to the associated audio files, be sure to include all of the necessary files along with the OMF / AAF. Embedded OMF 2.0 file types have a file size limit of 2GB. If your project’s audio assets are larger than this size, please split the project by acts/breaks or tracks. If the first audio region in your timeline does not start right at one hour, please make a note about this during delivery. A 2-Pop in the timeline is also appreciated.

Export specifications:

While the above specs are preferred, if your project natively contains a different file type or resolution, that is ok, just let us know prior to delivery. MP3 files should be provided for reference only.

Delivery For Music

Editing, Pitch Correction, and Comping Takes

Create a folder that has the title of the project (this could be album name), inside that, add a folder for each song and order them how you would like them to appear in the album. 

An example: Album – Memoirs of a Geisha by John Williams

01 Saruri’s Theme

02 The Journey to the Hanamachi

03 Going to School etc.

Every song requires a separate Input List that can be found below. The Input List must include the name of the song, sample rate, bit depth, list of numbered tracks, total takes for each track, names, and contact information of recording engineer(s), producer(s), artist/composer, and each band members along with their instrument. Create a text document listing a click track, tempo map, lyrics and chord progressions, and detailed notes regarding the creative direction of the song. Export the correct audio tracks and stems into each song folder. For classical and instrumental compositions, I will need of a copy of the full score.

Export Specification:

While above specs are preferred, if you project natively contains a different file type of resolution, that is ok, just lt us know prior to delivery. MP3 files should be provided for reference only.

This will allow me to edit your session efficiently and save time. Read the tab selections below to learn more for each part:

Export the audio tracks in your playlist that you want me to comp, edit, and tune. This can be done by sending me your Pro Tools session with the audio files or sending your audio files in a stems folder. If there were any stereo microphone techniques in your tracking session, please include that in your input list file or text file. 

Somewhere in your documentation include a written copy of your tempo and time. If you are running ProTools, include the .ptx file. Sending me the .ptx file will automatically link the tempo map and click track. If you are running a different DAW, export the tempo map and click track to a MIDI track. Having an exported session or MIDI track of your tempo map and click tracks allows me to have the correct grid work and synchronize the audio tracks correctly in Pro Tools. 

In the document folder include lyrics and chord progressions. I preferred to have it typed, but a scanned written is copy is fine as long it is legible. 

 

Having detailed notes and song references is optional since we will be going over the main cuts and edits through Zoom or Skype with Source Connect, but if there comes a time where the meeting is rescheduled or canceled, having access to these files will help me continue working on your project until we can reschedule.

References: List reference songs to help guide the creative decisions made on your own. A down-mix from your tracking session is strongly recommended, but optional.

Detailed Notes: Detailed notes should be laid out for each verse.

Mixing

Create a folder that has the title of the project (this could be album name), inside that, add a folder for each song and order them how you would like them to appear in the album. Create a text document listing song references, the instruments used, the tempo map, memory locations, and detailed notes regarding the creative direction of the song. Export the correct audio tracks and stems into each song folder. For classical and instrumental compositions, I will need a copy of the full score. 

Export Specification:

While the above specs are preferred, if your project natively contains a different file type or resolution, that is ok, just let us know prior to delivery. MP3 files should be provided for reference only.

In order to mix efficiently and save time, here are the mixing delivery requirements:

Go through your session and number your tracks: i.e. 01 Kick In, 02 Kick Out, 03 Snare Top, 04 Tom1, 05 Tom2 etc. The tracks will import into my DAW in same order as you have them in your session. 

After comping, cleaning, synchronizing, and tuning your tracks, make sure all edits have crossfades, fade-ins, and fade-outs. This prevents clicks and pops in your tracks.

If at any point you commit a sound effect to one of your tracks, be sure to include a copy of the dry track.

Each track within your song should be consolidated back to beginning of the session. This helps me align your tracks on the timeline. 

Exporting mono sources should be bounced as mono audio files and stereo sources bounced as interleaved stereo tracks. Do not bounce a mono track as stereo, this will cause confusion and waste time separating stereo files. If you are unsure how to bounce your tracks correctly, download and complete the mixer sheet below to keep us both on the same page.

I need to know the tempo of your song and memory locations of your song’s verses. 

If you are running ProTools, include the .ptx file. Sending me the .ptx file will automatically link the tempo map and memory locations. If you are running a different DAW, export the tempo map and memory locations to a MIDI track. Another option is to send a text file of the lyrics (listing the verses) and chord progressions with the tempo. For classical and instrumental compositions, I need a copy of the full score and require a Pro Tools session or MIDI track of your tempo map and memory locations.

Every song requires a separate Mixer Sheet that can be found below. The Mixer Sheet must include the name of the song, sample rate, bit depth, list of numbered tracks, total takes for each track, names, and contact information of recording engineer(s), producer(s), artist/composer, and each band members along with their instrument.

References: List reference songs to help guide the creative decisions made on your own. A down-mix from your tracking session is strongly recommended, but optional.

Detailed Notes: Describe creative decisions for each verse of the song and specific ideas for each part.

Mastering

Create a folder that has the title of the project (this could be album name), inside that, add a folder for each song and order them how you would like them to appear in the album. Create a text document listing song references, detailed notes regarding the creative direction of the song, the tempo map, sample rate, sample bit, contact information of mixing engineer(s), producer(s), artist/composer, and each band member along with their instrument. Export the correct audio tracks and stems into each folder.

Export Specifications:

In order to master efficiently and save time, here are the master delivery requirements that I recommend:

Artist name and contact information

Mix Engineer(s) name and contact information

Producer(s) name and contact information

Album or song(s) title (in order)

Track Order (*Case sensitive – typed how you want it printed on a CD-TEXT)

Name of Record Label, Publishing Company, or Performance Rights Organization (if applicable)

IRSC and UPC (if available)

Distribution Method: CD, iTunes, Tidal, Pandora, SoundCloud, YouTube etc.

Mix Options: A cappella (Voice-Only) track, Instrumental Track, or TV Track

Detailed notes about your album or song’s vision.

The loudest part in a mix should peak at no more that -3dbFS on the master bus. Bypass or remove other processing plugins such as a limiter set on the master bus. This allows me to create the proper dynamic level for radio play, CD, or mp3 duplication.

(Optional) I highly recommend downmixing two versions of your song: one with a limiter on the master bus (faux mastering), and one without. We will use the processed version as a reference.

The minimum requirement is bouncing stereo interleaved from the full mix. I recommend bouncing an Instrumental mix, an A cappella mix, and TV Track.

Exporting subgroups of stereo stems is great to add in your delivery because it will allow me to fine tune even further.

Adding a Faux mastering mix is acceptable if you would like us to use it as a point of reference. This should be an mp3 file.

Submit reference songs as a list or as mp3s. Describe in detail what you like about the reference and how to apply it to your song.

Delivery for Podcast

Video Podcast

I recommend delivering picture as a Quicktime Movie file. Make sure the frame rate of your video matches the frame rate of the exported OMF / AAF sequence(s). All audio as an OMF 2.0 or AAF. Embedded OMF 2.0 file types have a file size limit of 2GB. If your project’s audio assets are larger than this size, please split the project by acts/breaks or tracks. If the first audio region in your timeline does not start right at one hour, please make a note about this during delivery. 

Export specifications:

Audio Podcast

Create a folder that has the title of your podcast, inside that, add a folder for each episode and order them how you would like them to appear in the season. Create a timestamp text documet listin songs, bump ins, bump outs, sound effects, talent’s contact information, other audio elements (ads, sponsors) and detailed regarding the script and show’s rundown of your podcast. Export the correct audio tracks and stems into each song folder.

Export specifications: