Reference, export, and archive
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The idea in everyday life
Check the mix on different speakers and headphones, revise it, export the required files, record ownership, and back up the project.
The mix is finished only when it works outside the room and can be opened again later.
One step at a time.
Use the sample or information you have permission to use. Keep your work as you go. You can pause between steps.
- 1
Import two relevant commercial references, level-match them, and compare vocal level, low end, brightness, width, dynamics, and arrangement—not loudness alone.
- 2
Check at low volume, headphones, mono, small speaker, car or other available systems, recording issues rather than changing immediately on each device.
- 3
Make one prioritized revision pass, then export full-resolution mix, listening copy, instrumental, clean version, or stems as actually required.
- 4
Verify start and end, clicks, clipping, metadata, naming, rights and credits, then consolidate and back up the entire session in two locations.
See how it works.
Kai notes excessive bass on two systems, corrects one source, exports a 24-bit mix and reference MP3, then opens the archive copy to verify it.
Did you cover these?
- Your work includes final mix files, listening notes from different speakers and headphones, a revision log, an export list, credits and rights records, and session backups in separate locations.
- Check this common mistake: Adding a limiter to match a louder reference and sending an unlabeled file without checking the first and last seconds.
- The mix translates consistently, exports meet the destination specification, rights are documented, and the session can be restored.
What to finish
Final mix files, listening notes from different speakers and headphones, a revision log, an export list, credits and rights records, and session backups in separate locations.
Watch for this
Adding a limiter to match a louder reference and sending an unlabeled file without checking the first and last seconds.
How can I tell I understand it?
The mix translates consistently, exports meet the destination specification, rights are documented, and the session can be restored.
Quick knowledge check
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Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video · same video as Lesson 1
Music Production 101
From Berklee Online. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
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