Chris Graham Mastering
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Reviews
  • FAQ
  • Log In

How To Bounce

For instructions on how to prep your mix for mastering:

  • 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 Track ➝ Show Master Track.

    How to show your Master Track


    b. Disabling Master Track plugins

    Disabling Master Track FX in GarageBand

    is recommended.
    c. Make sure the Master Track isn't hitting red

    Master Track Clipping

    .
    d. Select the audio you wish to bounce.
    e. To export your file, select Share ➝ Export Song To Disk

    How to export your audio file.


    f. Select AIFF

    GarageBand Export Settings

    and Quality: Uncompressed (AIFF) 24-bit

    GarageBand Export Settings
  • a. Disabling "Stereo Out" track plugins is recommended.
    b. Make sure your Stereo Out isn’t hitting red.

    Avoiding Stereo Out clipping in Logic


    c. Select the audio region you wish to bounce.
    d. Go to File ➝ Bounce ➝ Project Or Section

    Bouncing in Logic


    e. Use these settings

    Bounce settings for Logic

    :
        -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. Track → New → Stereo Master Fader

    Creating a Master Fader in ProTools


    b. Disabling Master Fader plugins is recommended.
    c. Make sure your Master Fader meter isn't hitting red.

    Avoiding Master Fader clipping in ProTools


    d. Select the audio region you wish to bounce.
    e. Go to File → Bounce To → Disk

    How to Bounce in ProTools


    f. Select these settings:

    Bounce settings in ProTools


        -Bounce Source: Same output as Master Fader.
        -File Type: WAV
        -Format: Interleaved
        -Bit Depth: 24 Bit
        -Sample Rate: Same as your session sample rate.

    Your session sample rate in ProTools
  • 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.

© 2025 Chris Graham Mastering LLC - Privacy Policy