Stem mixing — remote workflow

What our stem mix covers

Stem mixing is not mastering and not rebuilding your beat. We take existing tracks — drums, bass, instruments, vocals, FX — and shape a coherent stereo mix (or stem-group bounces when agreed). Starting point: clean WAV files, same start point, consistent sample rate and bit depth per song.

Mixing happens in our control room at Neubaugasse 40; you do not need to attend. In-person feedback is possible when a slot is free — book extra studio time at vocal rates or arrange a dedicated listening session.

Typical projects and limits

Works well: hip-hop with separated drum stems, indie rock after band tracking, electronic tracks with many MIDI bounces, singer-songwriter overdubs from a home setup. Less ideal: rescuing unusable sources, full re-recording of the arrangement or picture-sync film work — we quote those separately.

Large-scale tuning, replacing missing musicians or full arrangement changes are outside the standard price. We quote extra time or suggest vocal sessions before mixing when needed.

File formats and stem layout

Preferred: 24-bit WAV at 44.1 or 48 kHz, all tracks from sample 0. Name by role (drums_kick.wav, vox_lead.wav) instead of final_final2.wav. Add a short note with BPM, key and reference tracks you are allowed to share.

Transfer via secure cloud, large-file services or SSD to Mumbocetra GmbH. Checklist: delivering stems for mix. EP and album packages expect similar stem layout on every song.

Mix workflow in detail

After import we route to buses (drums, bass, music, vocals, FX). EQ and compression stay restrained to moderate depending on genre and references. Vocal and hook automation is standard; heavy modulation only when your brief asks for it.

You first hear a “mix v1” without mastering limiting. Please bundle feedback: timestamps or section names and concrete requests (“quieter guitar in verse”, “drier kick”). One email with a list uses your 2 rounds more efficiently than many single-line messages.

References, loudness and streaming

Reference tracks clarify tone, width or overall level — say which you mean. We do not treat the mix as a finished master; release loudness for Spotify and similar platforms belongs to mastering from €99 per track.

On request we deliver a “mix for mastering” with headroom (often −3 to −6 dBFS peak depending on material), which helps handoff to us or external mastering engineers.

Rates, packages and VAT

Prices in euros include 20% VAT. Net invoices for businesses on request (example net per track: €162.50).

EP and album deals assume similar stem counts; outliers (for example one orchestral multitrack) are quoted by effort. 30% deposit at project start under our terms.

Turnaround, archive and revisions

Typical turnaround for one track after complete stem delivery: about five to ten business days depending on load — your quote states a binding deadline. Included corrections: 2; further rounds or full remixes after a genre pivot are billed extra.

We keep project files for 24 months after final delivery, then delete per our privacy policy. Store finals locally. B2B payment terms of 14 days apply when written on the quote.

Not included

Not in the mix fee: mastering, rebuilding beats, editing individual takes, heavy tuning on every syllable, Dolby Atmos, video sync, distribution or rights clearance. Recording new parts live requires a separate studio booking.

You handle copyright and label approvals. Mumbocetra treats stems confidentially; corporate clients can request a data processing agreement. Questions: contact or 01 966 12 34.

Included

• Stem import and technical QC
• Stereo mix with bus structure
• Automation for vocals and hooks
• 2 written revision rounds
• Final 24-bit WAV
• Optional MP3 preview on request
• Naming to agreed schema