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The Ultimate Guide to Exporting for Mixing

  • Writer: Matheus Antunes
    Matheus Antunes
  • 3 days ago
  • 3 min read

For FL Studio, Ableton, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Studio One, & Cubase


You have prepared your session. Now, follow the specific instructions for your DAW below to ensure your mixing engineer receives the files exactly as they need them.


➡️ Universal Settings (Apply to ALL DAWs)


  • File Type: WAV (never MP3).

  • Bit Depth: Same as project (Do not change this. If you recorded/produced in 24-bit, export 24-bit. If 32-float, export 32-float).

  • Sample Rate: Same as project.

  • Dithering: OFF.

  • Master Bus: Turn off Limiter/Compressor on your Master/Stereo Out channel before exporting.



➡️ Naming Your Tracks


Before you export, please rename your tracks in the DAW.

  • Bad Name: Audio_01, Rec_final_v3, Serum #2

  • Good Name: Kick, Snare Top, Lead Vocal, Bass Synth

  • Why? If I receive 50 tracks named "Audio 1-50", I have to guess what they are. Proper naming ensures a faster mix.



➡️ A Note on Vocals & FX


My preference is to have the effects printed (active), but strictly separated for vocals.

  • Instruments: Export with all your creative effects and automation active.

  • Vocals: If you use Reverb or Delay on vocals, please export the Dry Vocal (clean) and the FX Return (just the reverb/delay) on separate tracks. If you can't separate them, please export one version Wet and one version Dry.



🍓 FL Studio


The most common mistake in FL Studio is not linking sounds to the mixer. If the number box next to your sound is empty, it will not export correctly.


  1. Assigning Tracks (Crucial Step):

    • Open your Channel Rack.

    • Select a sound (click the green rectangular light to the right of the name).

    • Open the Mixer window (F9), click on an empty Insert track.

    • Press Ctrl + L (Windows) or Cmd + L (Mac).

    • Repeat this for every sound, assigning each one to its own unique mixer channel. Do not stack multiple sounds on one channel unless they belong together (e.g., layered claps).

  2. Menu: Go to File > Export > WAV file.

  3. Destination: Create a new folder and click Save.

  4. The Export Dialog:

    • Bit depth: Same as project.

    • Mode: Full Song.

    • Tail: Leave remainder.

    • Miscellaneous: Check "Split mixer tracks".

  5. Click Start.



🟠 Ableton Live


  1. Selection: Highlight the span of time you want to export in the Arrangement View.

  2. Menu: File > Export Audio/Video.

  3. Rendered Track (Crucial): Change this from "Master" to "All Individual Tracks".

  4. Audio Settings:

    • Bit Depth: Same as project.

    • Normalize: OFF.

    • Create Analysis File: OFF.

    • Encode PCM: ON (Select WAV).

  5. Click Export.

    • Note: If you have "Group" tracks, Ableton exports the Group and the individual tracks inside it. Please make sure naming distinguishes the group files from single track files.



🍎 Logic Pro X


  1. Selection: Ensure your yellow "Cycle Range" covers the whole song.

  2. Menu: File > Export > All Tracks as Audio Files.

  3. Settings:

    • Range: Export Cycle Range Only.

    • Format: WAV.

    • Bit Depth: Same as project.

    • Multi-Output Software Instruments: "One File per Channel Strip".

  4. Bypass/Include Options:

    • Bypass Effect Plug-ins: UNCHECKED. (We want your sound design).

    • Include Volume/Pan Automation: CHECKED. (We want your creative movement).

  5. Click Export.



🔵 Studio One


Studio One's "Export Stems" feature is powerful, but you must ensure you capture your FX Returns.


  1. Markers: Set your "Start" and "End" markers in the timeline to cover the song duration.

  2. Menu: Go to Song > Export Stems.

  3. Source (Crucial):

    • On the left side, click the "Channels" tab.

    • Select: All your Audio Channels, Instrument Channels, and FX Channels (your Reverbs/Delays) to be sent for mixing.

  4. Location/Format:

    • Format: WAV.

    • Resolution: Same as project.

    • Options: Check "Between Song Start/End Marker".

    • Options: Check "Preserve Mono tracks" (keeps mono sounds mono, saves space).

  5. Click OK.



🔴 Cubase


  1. Locators: Set your Left and Right locators to the span of the song.

  2. Menu: File > Export > Audio Mixdown.

  3. Channel Selection (Crucial):

    • Under "Channel Selection", check "Channel Batch Export".

    • Tick all the individual Audio Channels and Instrument Channels you want to send.

    • Uncheck the Stereo Out/Master.

  4. File Format:

    • Type: Wave.

    • Bit Depth: Same as project.

  5. Path: Choose your folder.

  6. Click Export Audio.



🟣 Pro Tools


  1. Selection: Select all tracks in the Edit window. Highlight the timeline from start to finish.

  2. Menu: Right-click the name of a selected track > Bounce... (Shift+Option+Cmd+B).

  3. Settings:

    • File Type: WAV (BWF).

    • Format: Interleaved.

    • Bit Depth: Same as project.

  4. Automation: Ensure "Render Automation" is ON to keep your creative moves.

  5. Click Bounce.



✅ Final Check & Delivery


  1. The "New Project" Test: Open a blank project, drag your new files in, and press play. If it sounds correct (just unmixed), you are good to go.

  2. Naming: Name the main folder exactly like this: ArtistName_SongTitle_Key_BPM(Example: TheBeatles_LetItBe_Cmaj_72BPM)

  3. Send: Zip the folder and done.


That is it for today!

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MIXED BY

M.A.

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