How to prepare for the studio environment

Preparing your home recordings for a Studio Mix Session

So what's it going to sound like?

Well it's going to sound better, and for one main reason. Some one who hasn't heard the music before is going to be able to hear things that you have become used to, which might be getting in the way of an otherwise decent sounding release. Naturally there is only so much one can do in a mixing/mastering session, but as long as tracks aren't digitally clipping and everything has been edited and arranged to its right intentions, the mix engineer will be able to bring it to the next level.

At Alchemix we use some analogue gear for converting tracks, and depending on what your bringing in, we can filter out background hum, white noise and make sure the conversion works at its very best.

In the past, we have worked commonly with bounced tracks. Most software will allow you to mix each track down individually, allow a new folder to be created with each track labeled, and starting at 0 point. If you are working within ProTools we will be able to open up any version you might be using.

Make sure to keep a note of plugins you have used, so that we can make sure things will be compatible.

If you are bringing in a mini disk recorder or any other korg or stand alone system, we can either work out digital ways to convert the data across to our platform, or we can use the pre amps in our desk to send all the individual files simultaneously through to protools at any given bit rate.

What happens during a mixing session?

During your mixing session, once the tracks are converted and uploaded into protools, the engineer will be able to take note of any reference material you have, and begin working on eq, panning, compression and overall leveling.

Additional effects and production ideas can be added, however enough time must be given in order to do this. We can generally mix a band track down in 2 to 4 hrs, if everything is in place and ready to go. If you have a full length album, it is possible to mix it all in a day/night package, but we will definitely recommend to book the one session, with perhaps an additional session yet to be booked, if needed.

This way we aren't rushing the mixing stage, however are still keeping to your specific budget.

Mastering and Backup?

Yes, we can do in house mastering too, which is costed at the same rate as mixing or editing. For one step up, we have affiliates that we usually recommend. Once again, they will have a new set of ears, and will be able to adjust the final mastering levels from a new awareness.

We keep a full pro tools backup at the studio of your project, which means any re-mixing possibilities are a breeze. We usually recommend for you to bring a hard drive in, to backup the sessions for your own safe keeping. We always backup but can't insure that the data will be safe for the years to come.

For questions, please contact Marly on 0407 630 770 or e-mail

For more Hints and tips see:

Prepare for a Studio Recording | Home Recording Tips | Final Studio Mix | Drum Kit Maintenance | Guitar Maintenance |