i've just finished the tracking and mixing of an album that i'm now ready to take somewhere for professional mastering. i've tried to inform myself as much as possible about the best way to prep and deliver the final mixes.

I'm completing a music project that will be mastered here in Philly at Masterworks. I have a meeting with the mastering engineer on July 9th to discuss the project and listen to a few roughs before going to final mix tweaking. What kind of prep work should I do? What kind of questions should I be thinking of asking? What can I do at this stage to help the success of the project?

What kind of things do you guys like to see in a mix before you master? I'm getting ready to mix my band's album, and was wondering what's generally the right way to go before mastering.

Thanks a lot.

Being Prepared, what tips could be suggested in getting prepared for a first time in a studio?

How close should we practice the songs before we begin in the studio; still keeping them fresh sounding?

what do you guys do about mastering? what tools do you use? Is every mastering house accepting PT files?

I use the C4 and L1. It works excellent for me. I use WavesC4 only at the master track of the entire session, then bounce the session in 24 bit to two tracks, then open a new session up in 24 bit and import the two tracks.