Why should I have MagicMixStudio.com mix my tracks rather than do it myself?
Two reasons.  Number one, our mix engineers are trained professionals with over 15 years of studio experience.  We know how to get a radio ready sound.  Second, we have the room and equipment required to achieve great mixes.  Mixing in just any room can result in mixes with up to a 20db peak or valley at any given frequency!  Our mixing room was designed with optimal proportions to minimize room modes and has been tuned for flat frequency response.  Our ProTools HD3 system can accommodate even the most complex mix with ease, even running SSL, API and Neve modeled processors on every track.

Why should I have MagicMixStudio.com mix my tracks rather than a local studio?
MagicMixStudio.com specializes in mixing.  Because we optimize our studio for this application, we can provide better mixes, usually much cheaper and faster than the typical full service recording studio.  Most comparable studios mix two song per day, likely costing from $300-$400 per song.  With MagicMixStudio.com, you can mix an entire 12 song CD for $1350!

How do I prepare a session for mixing?
If you use a DAW, all you need to do is clean up your session so any unused audio files are removed.  This reduces the file size for transfer.  Large files take a long time to upload, so the smaller the better.  Once your session is compacted, Zip or Compress the entire session. 
If you are planning to transfer your files to MagicMixStudio.com online, your .zip files must be smaller than 2gb.  If your session is larger than this, just zip chunks of your audio files that are less than 2gb in size.  You can create as many .zip files as necessary for each session and upload each .zip one at a time. 
Be sure to include all audio files, cross-fade files, etc.  If you have MIDI tracks, you can either convert them to audio or leave them as MIDI.  We will leverage our extensive sound library to produce the very best sounds for your MIDI tracks. 
If you are submitting multiple songs, create a Zip (or multiple for upload) for each song/session.  You can burn the zip files to a CD-R or DVD-R and mail them or upload each file using our submit form.  Upload times are approximately 1-1.3 hours per GB.
Most of our competitors require you to "bounce to disk" each track to create wav or aiff files.  This has two drawbacks - one, it could take hours for you to bounce each track if you have lots of them, and two, it forces you to lock in the editing you have done.  With MagicMixStudio.com, you send us your actual session, with rough edits, alternate takes, etc.  We use SSL ProConvert to bring your session into our ProTools system where we can fix transitions, do your vocal comp, etc.

What DAW files can you read?
ProTools (any version since 5.0)
Steinberg Nuendo (3.x and later) and Cubase (SX3 and later) via Steinberg XML (you need to export your session - select all tracks then navigate to File>Export>Selected Tracks)
Apple Logic, Final Cut Pro, Soundtrack Pro 2 via Apple XML or OMF (you need to export your session to XML or OMF)
Cakewalk SONAR via OMF (you need to export your session to OMF, see instructions)
Ableton Live
Propellerhead Reason
Samplitude & Sequoia
Sony Vegas
Adobe Audition
Syntrillium Cool Edit Pro
SAW
Sadie 3 or 4
Sonic Studio
Tascam MX2424 via OpenTL or Tascam BU
SSL Soundscape 4 or later

Can I send you ADAT or Analog tapes?
We do not currently support ADAT or Analog tape.  You will need to import your tracks to a DAW to use MagicMix Studio.

How do I Zip or Compress my Session Files?
On Mac, select all of your session files, control-click a selected file and choose "Compress x Items" from the pop-up menu.  A new file will be created that contains all of your session files.
On PC, you need WinZip installed.  Download from http://winzip.com.  Once installed, select all session files, right click a selected file and choose "Send To > Compressed (Zipped) Folder".  A new file will be created that contains all of your session files.  You can rename the file once created.

How long will the process take?
From end to end, the process typically takes less than one week. Once we receive your session files, we go to work immediately.  Within 24 hours you will receive a mail with any questions we have on your session.  We may make suggestions for muting instruments or request input on what parts you want to feature.  You will then get a first cut "rough" mix and a request for feedback.  Based on your feedback, the rough mix will be tweaked and polished over 1-3 days.  At this point we will send a 2nd mix along with an electronic invoice.  We will go back and forth iterating the mix with your feedback (up to 5 iterations included in the price).  Once the mix is approved, you  pay the invoice.  We will send .wav files at 16bit/44khz and an unmastered 24bit version at the sample rate of the session.   

What genres of music do you accept?
All genres are welcome.  We specialize in Rock and Alternative/Indy Rock.  We have lots of experience with Pop, Country, Electronic/Dance, R&B and Hip-Hop as well.

Do you offer Mastering?
We do mastering on every mix.  For each song you will receive a mastered and an un-mastered version.  The mastered version is EQed, Compressed and Limited to achieve a sound similar to your reference song.
We believe that best results are achieved when mixing and mastering are done separately by different engineers in different rooms.  We recommend you have your un-mastered mix mastered by a separate facility specializing in mastering. 

Do you do surround mixes?
We only do stereo mixes currently.

My files are taking a long time to upload, what can I do?
Transferring large files requires patience.  If you are submitting multiple songs (sessions), you are probably better off burning your session files to DVD-R and mailing to us.  Email us for our mail address.

How do I pay when my mix is complete?
All mix files you receive through mixing are mp3s with a noise burst every 20 seconds.  Once you receive your 2nd mix you will receive an electronic invoice (by email) where you can make payment by credit card, debit card or paypal.  If you don't like the result, you don't pay a cent.

How many times can I ask for changes in a mix?
As long as your requests are reasonable, we will continue to hone your mix until you are satisfied.  Generally, after 5 revisions we will request payment before continuing further revisions.

What if I want to make a change months later?
We archive all sessions, so you can always request an alternate mix or modifications at any time.  Each restore and remix is $30.

Can you provide alternative mixes?
Yes, we can provide as many mix variations as you wish at $30 each.  Examples include Instrumental, Radio edit (shortened and/or word replacement), vocal up (1-2db as specified by client), etc.

Can you provide Stems?
Absolutely.  Typically we provide Lead Voc, Backing Vocs, Drums and Instruments (4 stereo files).  If you need a custom set, just tell us what you need.  Stems are provided at the price of alternate mixes - $30 per song.