Why should I have MagicMixStudio.com mix my tracks rather than do it
myself?
Two reasons. Number one, our mix engineers are trained
professionals with over 15 years of studio experience. We know how
to get a radio ready sound. Second, we have the room and equipment
required to achieve great mixes. Mixing in just any room can
result in mixes with up to a 20db peak or valley at any given frequency!
Our mixing room was designed with optimal proportions to minimize room
modes and has been tuned for flat frequency response. Our ProTools
HD3 system can accommodate even the most complex mix with ease, even
running SSL, API and Neve modeled processors on every track.
Why should I have MagicMixStudio.com mix my tracks rather than a
local studio?
MagicMixStudio.com specializes in mixing. Because we optimize our
studio for this application, we can provide better mixes, usually much
cheaper and faster than the typical full service recording studio.
Most comparable studios mix two song per day, likely costing from
$300-$400 per song. With MagicMixStudio.com, you can mix an entire
12 song CD for $1350!
How do I prepare a session for mixing?
If you use a DAW, all you need to do is clean up your session so any
unused audio files are removed. This reduces the file size for
transfer. Large files take a long time to upload, so the smaller
the better. Once your session is compacted, Zip or Compress the
entire session.
If you are planning to transfer your files to MagicMixStudio.com online,
your .zip files must be smaller than 2gb. If your session is
larger than this, just zip chunks of your audio files that are less than
2gb in size. You can create as many .zip files as necessary for
each session and upload each .zip one at a time.
Be sure to include all audio files, cross-fade
files, etc. If you have MIDI tracks, you can either convert them
to audio or leave them as MIDI. We will leverage our extensive
sound library to produce the very best sounds for your MIDI tracks.
If you are submitting multiple songs, create a Zip (or multiple for
upload) for each
song/session. You can burn the zip files to a CD-R or DVD-R and
mail them or upload each file using our
submit
form. Upload times are approximately 1-1.3 hours per GB.
Most of our competitors require you to "bounce to disk" each track to
create wav or aiff files. This has two drawbacks - one, it could
take hours for you to bounce each track if you have lots of them, and
two, it forces you to lock in the editing you have done. With
MagicMixStudio.com, you send us your actual session, with rough edits,
alternate takes, etc. We use SSL ProConvert to bring your session
into our ProTools system where we can fix transitions, do your vocal
comp, etc.
What DAW files can you read?
ProTools (any version since 5.0)
Steinberg Nuendo (3.x and later) and Cubase (SX3 and later)
via Steinberg XML (you need to export your session - select all
tracks then navigate to File>Export>Selected Tracks)
Apple Logic 8, Final Cut Pro 4 and 5.x, Soundtrack Pro 2 via
Apple XML or OMF (you need to export your session to XML or OMF)
Cakewalk SONAR via OMF (you need to export your session to OMF,
see
instructions)
Ableton Live 6
Propellerhead Reason
Samplitude & Sequoia
Sony Vegas
Adobe Audition
Syntrillium Cool Edit Pro
SAW
Sadie 3 or 4
Sonic Studio
Tascam MX2424 via OpenTL or Tascam BU
SSL Soundscape 4 or later
Can I send you ADAT or Analog tapes?
We do not currently support ADAT or Analog tape. You will need to
import your tracks to a DAW to use MagicMix Studio.
How do I Zip or Compress my Session Files?
On Mac, select all of your session files, control-click a selected file
and choose "Compress x Items" from the pop-up menu. A new file
will be created that contains all of your session files.
On PC, you need WinZip installed. Download from
http://winzip.com. Once installed,
select all session files, right click a selected file and choose "Send
To > Compressed (Zipped) Folder". A new file will be created that
contains all of your session files. You can rename the file once
created.
How long will the process take?
From end to end, the process typically takes 3 days. Once we receive
your session files, we go to work immediately. Within 48 hours you
will receive a mail with any questions we have and from 1-4 alternative
mixes for your evaluation. These mixes and are meant to
validate mix possibilities such as sound selection, layering and muting
arrangements, etc. Once you provide your input, we will complete a
final mix mp3 in 24 hours. If you like it, you can pay and
download immediately. If you want to make changes, each revision
will be completed in 24 hours until you are satisfied (up to 5 free
revisions).
What genres of music do you accept?
All genres are welcome.
We specialize in Rock and
Alternative/Indy Rock. We have lots of experience with Pop,
Country, Electronic/Dance, R&B and Hip-Hop as well.
Do you offer Mastering?
We do mastering on every mix. For each song you will receive a
mastered and an un-mastered version. The mastered version is EQed,
Compressed and Limited to achieve a sound similar to your reference
song.
We believe that best results are achieved when mixing and mastering are
done separately by different engineers in different rooms. We
recommend you have your un-mastered mix mastered by a separate facility
specializing in mastering.
Do you do surround mixes?
We only do stereo mixes currently.
My files are taking a long time to upload, what can I do?
Transferring large files requires a lot of patience. If you are
submitting multiple songs (sessions), you are probably better off
burning your session files to DVD-R and mailing to us at:
MagicMixStudio.com
6947 Coal Creek Pkwy SE #381
Newcastle, WA 98059-3159
How do I pay when my mix is complete?
All mix files you receive through mixing are mp3s with a noise burst
every 20 seconds. Once you approve your final mix you will receive
a mail with a link where you can make payment by credit card, debit card
or paypal and immediately download your final mix(es). If you
don't like the result, you don't pay a cent.
How many times can I ask for changes in a mix?
As long as your requests are reasonable, we will continue to hone your
mix until you are satisfied. Generally, after 5 revisions we will
request payment before continuing further revisions.
What if I want to make a change months later?
We archive all sessions, so you can always request an alternate mix or
modifications at any time. Each restore and remix is $30.
Can you provide alternative mixes?
Yes, we can provide as many mix variations as you wish at $30 each.
Examples include Instrumental, Radio edit (shortened and/or word
replacement), vocal up (1-2db as specified by client), etc.
Can you provide Stems?
Absolutely. Typically we provide Lead Voc, Backing Vocs, Drums and
Instruments (4 stereo files). If you need a custom set, just tell
us what you need. Stems are provided at the price of alternate
mixes - $30 per song.