Finish the mix first
Print the song only after checking edits, fades, vocal rides, low-end balance and automation transitions. Listen from start to finish without touching the controls. If a problem needs a stem or individual fader, solve it before the stereo export.
Leave intentional creative processing in place. A bus compressor that defines the groove or a colour effect that belongs to the production is part of the mix. If you are uncertain, send a clearly labelled alternate without that processor rather than silently changing the approved sound.
Manage peaks without chasing a magic number
The important requirement is that the export is not clipped and does not hit an unwanted limiter. Turning a clean floating-point mix down by a few decibels does not create more detail; it simply changes gain. Conversely, a file with flat-topped distortion is not repaired by lowering it after export.
If your current limiter is purely for demo loudness, bypass it for the pre-master and check that the changed gain structure has not exposed overs. If the limiter is central to the tone, keep it and describe what it is doing.
Export a trustworthy file
Export WAV or another accepted lossless format at the project sample rate. Do not convert to MP3 as an intermediate. Preserve the session bit depth when possible; apply dither only when deliberately reducing to a fixed-point bit depth and avoid repeated dither stages.
Check that the bounce begins and ends where intended, retains reverb tails, uses the correct channel layout and plays without clicks. Re-import it into the session or a fresh player and compare it against the mix bus at matched level.
Send context, not vague adjectives
Include artist, track title, version, sample rate and any deadline or sequencing context. Name one or two references and explain the useful attribute: vocal presence, low-end weight, transient feel or overall density.
If a mix concern is intentional, say so. Notes such as “the narrow verse opens in the chorus” prevent a mastering decision from undoing the arrangement. Keep an approved mix reference so all later versions can be compared against the same source.
METHOD
How this guide was prepared
The checklist follows non-destructive digital-audio practice and separates creative choices from delivery integrity. Exact format and level requirements should always be confirmed with the receiving engineer or distributor.
This is general educational information, not a guarantee of platform acceptance, pressing approval, authorship, or detector outcome. Requirements and services can change; check the receiving party before delivery.
PRIMARY SOURCES