How To Prep For Mastering

For best results, each mix should be exported as a single interleaved WAV or AIF file at 24 bit or greater, and at the same sample rate as the mixing session. Avoiding clipping and master buss compression is also highly recommended and is the music industry standard for sending mixes to mastering.

For more detailed instructions based on your particular recording software…

a. For best results, disable any Master Track plugins
b. Make sure your Master Track meters aren't in the red
c. Go to File ➝ Export Audio/Video
d. Use these settings:
-Rendered Track: Master
-(Make sure render start and length reflect the duration of your song)
-Render as Loop: Off
-File Type: WAV
-Sample Rate: Your session sample rate
-Bit Depth: 24
-Dither Options: No Dither
-Create Analysis File: Off
-Normalize: Off
-Convert To Mono: Off
e. Click Export
a. Make sure the meters at the top aren't in the red.
b. Go to File ➝ Export Audio
c. Select File Type: WAV (Microsoft) signed 16-bit PCM
d. Click Save

a. Open your mix window. Devices ➝ MixConsole
b. Disabling Stereo Out plugins is recommended.
c. Make sure your Stereo Out isn't clipping.
d. Close the MixConsole to go back your project window.
e. Select the audio region you wish to bounce.
f. Go to File ➝ Export ➝ Audio Mixdown
g. Use these settings:
-Channel Selection: Stereo Out.
-Name your file & select destination under Path.
-File Format: Wave File.
-Audio Engine Output: your session sample rate.
-Bit Depth: 24 Bit

a. Go to your Mixing Board
b. Disabling Master Fader Track plugins is reccomended
c. Make sure the Master Fader Track meter isn’t hitting red
d. Go to File ➝ Bounce To Disk or Audio ➝ Bounce To Disk
e. Use these settings:
-Format: Broadcast Wave, Interleaved
-Channels: Stereo
-Resolution: 24 Bit Integer
-Source: Main Out 1-2 (or the name of your master channel)
f. Click OK

a. Open your Mixer by going to View ➝ Mixer
b. Disable Master Channel plugins for best results
c. Make sure the Master Channel meter isn't hitting red
d. Go to File ➝ Export ➝ Wave File
e. Name your file and click Save
f. Use these settings:
-Mode: Full Song
-Output Format: WAV
-Bit Depth: 24 Bit
g. Click Start

a. Select
b. is recommended.
c. Make sure the .
d. Select the audio you wish to bounce.
e. To export your file, select
f. Select and

a. Disabling "Stereo Out" track plugins is recommended.
b. Make sure your
c. Select the audio region you wish to bounce.
d. Go to
e. Use :
-Destination: PCM
-File Format: Wave
-Resolution: 24 Bit
-Sample Rate: Same as your session sample rate.
-File Type: Interleaved
-Normalize: Off

a. Open your Project Tab
b. Disabling Global Effects is recommended
c. Go to File ➝ Mix down to ➝ WAV
d. Click
Edit Details, and use settings WAV, 48,000 Hz, 24 bits, stereo

a. Create a Master Fader.
b. Disabling Master Fader plugins is recommended.
c. Make sure your
d. Select the audio region you wish to bounce.
e. Go to
f. Select these
-Bounce Source: Same output as Master Fader.
-File Type: WAV
-Format: Interleaved
-Bit Depth: 24 Bit
-Sample Rate: Same as

a. Go to View ➝ Mixer
b. Disabling Master Fader plugins is recommended
c. Make sure your Master Track meter isn't hitting red
d. Go to File ➝ Render
e. Use these settings:
-Render Bounds: Entire Project
-Sample Rathe: Same as your session sample rate
-Channels: Stereo
-Output Format: WAV
-WAV Bit Depth: 24 Bit PCM
f. Click Render 1 File
a. Click Views ➝ Console View
b. Disabling Master Track plugins is recommended
c. Make sure your Master Fader isn’t hitting red
d. Select the audio region you wish to bounce
e. Go to File ➝ Export ➝ Audio
f. Use these settings:
-Files Of Type: Wave
-Source Category: Entire Mix
-Channel Format: Stereo
-Sample Rate: Same as your session sample rate
-Bit Depth: 24
-Dithering: None
g. Name your file, and click Export

a. Open your console by going to View ➝ Console
b. Disabling "Main Out" track plugins is recommended.
c. Make sure your Main Out meter isn't hitting red.
d. Close the Console to go back to the project window.
e. Select the audio region you wish to bounce.
f. Go to Song ➝ Export Mixdown.
-Name your file & choose your destination.
-Under Format, select Wave File.
-Resolution: 24 Bit
-Sample Rate: your session sample rate.
-Click OK

a. Try to avoid plugins on your master fader output.
b. Make sure your output meter isn't hitting red.
c. Bounce or Export your mix as a single stereo file.
e. Ideally, the file should be .wav format at 24 bit.
f. Don't change your sample rate.

How To Prep For Mastering

How to show your Master Track

Disabling Master Track FX in GarageBand

Master Track Clipping

How to export your audio file.

GarageBand Export Settings

GarageBand Export Settings

Avoiding Stereo Out clipping in Logic

Bouncing in Logic

Bounce settings for Logic

Creating a Master Fader in ProTools

Avoiding Master Fader clipping in ProTools

How to Bounce in ProTools

Bounce settings in ProTools

Your session sample rate in ProTools