I write and perform songs for myself and an acoustic oriented band. Vocals x 3-4 (3 male, 1 female), acoustic guitar, electric bass, fiddle, keys, hand percussion and sometimes drums.
I would like to accomplish the tracking (Pro-Tools 002rack) and then turn it over to those who's skill is the mixing and mastering of the sound.
Perhaps these questions shows my state of ignorance, but I'd like to do this right.
Can the forum members descibe the conventions you would like/expect from someone bringing you their music? Levels/ pans/effects/format? Resources to consult? Are these individualized considerations that vary studio to studio?
Likewise, and this may be a subject fit for a seperate thread, what should I be able to expect from the studio?
Please interpret this post as a sincere request for information.
Thank you.
Comments
In light that I run ProTools also, for me to do a mix, the best
In light that I run ProTools also, for me to do a mix, the best is just sending the Pro Tools session file as close to how you like it as possible without you sweating too much over it. (for people using other programs, I don't know what they'd like but you can almost never go wrong with raw .WAV files starting at the exact same time) I can disarm any plugins, change any pans, do just about anything else to it. Also, I can always go back to your mix as a reference if I feel a little lost as to what you were looking for.
As far as other resources, it's always good to have around 5 examples of bands, songs, etc. that you think sound good, and would like your song to "fit in a compilation" with.
You should expect honesty, professionalism, and a willingness to communicate from any studio. If they fail at any of these basic things, you should look somewhere else. Lots of great studios/engineers/producers out there.
Good luck. ;)