Export STEMS - please remind me again what to export and what to delete!

[Caine123]

hi guys,

stupid questions i need to bookmark this and save these notes.

My following test project looks as follows:



and the Routings are like that:

808 KICK routed to BUS Drums
808 CLAP routed to BUS Claps & Snares
808 HIHAT routed to BUS Drums & SEND Reverb
808 SNARE routed to BUS Claps & Snares & SEND Reverb

Track 9, 10 & 11 are to SEND Reverb & SEND Delay

BUS Claps & Snares is routed to BUS Drums

STEMS & Busses Testproject_6.gif

1. if someone wants to get only the STEMS i export in FL Studio via SPLIT MIXER tracks correct?

I then have ALL Channels exported seperately by FL Studio



2. Question now is which channels can I delete for Zipping a STEM Package e.g. to send someone?

AFAIK I dont need the following

Current
Master
ALL Elements which are included in the BUSSES? (808 Kick, 808 Clap, 808 Hihat, 808 Snare)
ALL BUSSES which are routed to MAIN Busses? (here for example it is BUS CLAPS & SNARE)

3. All the rest need to be included, so if I import all the non-deleted ones I should have the same sound/playback like my MASTER summed up correct?

again thanks a lot!

[jamcat]

There isn’t a set rule. Just do what makes sense from a mixing standpoint for the person receiving them. The idea is simply to provide “whole” parts.

If you have a sound made up of several pre-mixed parts—like drums, bass amp+DI, group strings, a brass section, double tracked or backing vocals—then export each group as a single stereo file (mono for bass or lead vocal.)

Comped tracks should also be exported as a single track. If you have special effects, you’ll want to print them with their source tracks. For instance you created a delay line on the lead which is integral to the sound and you want to keep it in the mix. Export the lead with that delay on it. Keep standalone parts separate, otherwise. Don’t give them tracks that are already comped to a stem or effects sends by themselves. Really just follow common sense.

[Ah_Dziz]

The main part is proper labeling. I always send everything/ prefer to get everything. You can dump stuff if you don't need it. If you know what is what you can avoid any redundant bits and issues they cause. I'd rather have stuff and not need it than need it and then get hit by a bus.

[Benedict]

I covered this in detail here:


The best A to this Q is always to talk to your Mix Engineer as each of us will want/demand/accept/be offended at slightly different things.

Broadly, one should send over every part separately. Part meaning all the Kik Drum on one track.

No effects or processing on anything. While one may think that the +458dB of boost at 32Hz makes your Kik right, it will make the mix engineer's job all but impossible. Same goes with chorus, echo etc in many cases.

IIIIFFFF the effect or process really is needed, eg Geetar Amps, then send the mic's amp along with a DI. When I know and trust, I will say cabs are fine but beginners tend to run their amp at 11 when 6 would be better. IF the geeter could use more pedal in the mix, I can add more grrrrr several ways.

Name very well as there is nothing worse than the average DAW gizzard wizard export where every track reads:
- MyExcellentSong_Take_456_Marty_Gibson'76Starburst-w-pink-whammybar-thru-DS-1-bypassed
which is 999% useless when Guitar Marty Chorus is useful, esp when numbered so 08 Guitar - Marty - Chorus is ace for usefulness.

Guide Mix - your master is vital as it lets the engineer hear what you heard. Gives a sense of what you were trying to achieve. Not that a mix engineer should clone that "only Proful" as a good Mix Engineer is an Artist, let them show their vision.

Never, ever send sloned tracks - never clone tracks anyway. Clone tracks like one guitar part you cloned (duplicated) to make a pretend twin axe attack are an abomination that should never happen. If you have one guitar, you have one guitar. If you want that twin axe attack play your part twice so you have the real thing.