How to send stems to a mix engineer (checklist)

Export every track as its own WAV starting at the very beginning of the song, all the same length, at the session’s sample rate and 24-bit, with effects printed only where they are part of the sound. Name each file clearly, include a rough mix and the tempo and key, and send them together in one place the engineer can download from.

Checklist

From the start. Every stem begins at bar 1, even if it is silent until the chorus.
Same length. All end at the same point, after the last tail.
WAV, 24-bit. At the session’s sample rate.
No clipping. Leave headroom; turn off the master bus processing.
Clear names. “Lead Vox”, “Kick In”, “Bass DI” — not “Audio 14”.
Rough mix, tempo, key. And any notes on what to keep.

Exporting from your DAW

Common questions

Should stems include effects?

Send them dry, plus a printed version of any effect that is part of the sound (a special delay, a vocal chain the artist loves). Ask the engineer what they prefer.

What format?

WAV, 24-bit, at the session’s sample rate (often 44.1 or 48 kHz). Not MP3.

Why must every stem start at the beginning?

So they line up when dropped into a new session. A stem that starts at bar 17 has to be placed by hand, and mistakes creep in.

Do I send the rough mix too?

Yes. It tells the engineer what you liked about the demo, which is often the point.

Or send them from Songcase

In Songcase the stems live with each version of the song. Share the song with your engineer as an editor and they can download the stems and add their mix as the next version; share with others as viewers and they can only play. You see who opened and downloaded it. Songcase is free to start. Share unreleased music safely.