The following is an excerpt from my ebook “Indie Music Release Checklist.” Download the entire Indie Music Release Checklist ebook for free by clicking here and signing up for my email list.
The Mixing & Mastering process is largely subjective, but there are certain elements that should be checked for. Through a process called Referencing, you can be more sure that you’re satisfied with your final product. To reference, you must be able to play your song file inside a player like iTunes, Spotify, or a DAW next to some famous examples of records in your genre. I often reference the highest charting songs I can find in the genre relative to what I’m mastering. Set your speakers at a comfortable volume and do not change that level going forward. Loudness is relative, we need every song playing back at the same level to discern if they are similarly loud. Flipping between your song and your chosen reference examples, pay attention first to the loudness. Does your song sound significantly quieter than your reference songs? Is it louder? Or does it sound about right? If you’ve got more than one song on a project, also flip between those tracks to check if the relative level is stable. You should be able to listen to your speakers or device comfortably at the same level for the duration of the whole project. Careful to only listen at a moderate volume level. Loud music wears out your ears fast and by the second or third song you’ll have lost the ability to accurately assess what you’re hearing. Also pay attention to the clarity and bass of your song versus your references. No two songs will sound exactly the same, but you want them to sound in step with what’s popular in your genre.
When Your Record is Complete
Final Mixed & Mastered Recording as 44.1kHz 16bit WAV file(s)
This is the file specification you will need to upload to your digital distributor. This is the file people will hear when they stream your song. Carefully give a check listen to all files for errors like pops, clicks and distortion. Your engineer will hopefully catch all these things but mistakes can happen and files can on rare occasion be corrupted in transfer, creating issues that weren’t present when the engineer heard the finished file.
Instrumental Version WAV; 15, 30 and 60 Second Cutdowns WAVs
To be eligible for potential Sync Licensing opportunities you will need both the Vocal and Instrumental versions of your records. A Music Synchronization License is paid when your music is paired with video content, Advertising, TV or Film. Cutdowns are shorter length edits of your songs. They may be helpful in pursuing Syncs, but they’ll be most useful in making your own video content to promote your songs.
Drew Mantia
Feel Good Music Recordings
3146264270
feelgoodmusicrecordings@gmail.com