Mix Prep Checklist: Everything to Get Right Before Hiring a Mixing Engineer

Getting a great record doesn’t have to cost the earth or be overly complicated. But as the saying goes, you get out what you put in, and recording is no exception.

As a mixing engineer and producer, I’ve seen how preparation makes a massive difference. If you get these things right before you even think about hiring a mixing engineer, not only will your music shine, you'll likely become one of their favourite clients.

Here’s a complete checklist to help you make your sessions smoother, your mix stronger, and your final product exactly what you want it to be.

1. Instrumentation

Instrumentation is one of the foundational elements that shape your sound. Every genre has its staples, and some curveballs, that give a track identity.

Before recording, consider whether a part could work better on a different instrument. Maybe that droning guitar line would sound more haunting on a synth or cello.

To keep your sessions efficient and reduce stress, make a list of all instrumentation and which songs they appear in. Share this with your band so everyone knows what’s playing where and when.

2. Arrangement & Section Transitions

Think of your arrangement like a film plot. You wouldn’t start a movie with the final climactic scene, and the same goes for a song. A strong arrangement flows naturally and supports the core message and mood. Mixing is far easier, and more effective, when the track already has clear dynamics, structure, and purpose baked into its arrangement.

Don’t Sleep on Transitions

Section changes, like verse to chorus or breakdowns, shouldn’t just be filler. They can elevate your song’s energy. Even subtle changes, like atmospheric FX, filtered delays, or reversed impacts, can add major momentum.

If you're running a backing track live, the possibilities are endless. Think of how film trailers use sound to build tension and bridge cuts - the same principle applies here. Don’t be afraid to get creative.

3. Recording Levels

If you’re self-recording, this part is critical. The goal isn’t just to “capture” the sound, it’s to do so cleanly and consistently.

Whether you're working with a dedicated tracking engineer who can focus 100% on your performance and sound, or going DIY at home, the same rules apply - your input levels matter.

Common Mistakes:

• Recording too quiet - and ending up with hiss or noise when trying to boost it later

• Recording too hot - leading to digital distortion or clipping
  

Ideal range:

• Noise floor: Low

• Peak: Around -5dBFS max

• Minimum: Around -18dBFS

• Sweet spot: Hover around -10dBFS during most of your performance
  

4. Gain Staging

Gain staging is how you manage volume between every piece of gear or software in your signal chain.

This affects not just loudness but tone. Clipping into your amp sim, plugin, or pedals unintentionally can cause harshness or mud. Unless you're aiming for intentional saturation, keep things clean between each stage.

5. Mono vs. Stereo Sources

One of the most common issues I see in home recordings is files randomly switching between mono and stereo.

Here’s a basic rule of thumb:

• Mono sources: Kick, snare, bass DI, electric guitar DI

• Stereo sources: Synths, pianos, overheads, drum rooms, ambient FX

It’s not just about “left and right,” stereo files take up more space in a mix and can sound off if used incorrectly.

6. Phase Issues

Phase issues can ruin an otherwise great take, especially with multi-mic setups. They can cause instruments to sound thin, hollow, or “swirly” like a phaser pedal.

Quick way to check:

• Solo the two mics (e.g. on a cab)

• Set them both to the same volume

• Use your DAW’s phase or polarity switch (in Logic: Utility > Gain plugin > Phase Invert button)

• Flip it and listen - if the sound gains body, width, and fullness, you had phase issues

Train your ears for this - it’s subtle but essential.

7. Performance & Takes

No mix will ever save a bad take. Whether you're going clean, raw, or ultra-polished, the take still needs to feel intentional and be played well.

Editing can clean up timing or pitch, but it can’t fake conviction or tightness. Record takes that truly reflect your best playing - you’ll thank yourself later.

8. Layers & Doubles

Want a bigger sound? Layer it.

From doubled or quad-tracked guitars to vocal harmonies and sample-enhanced drums, layers create depth and weight.

At minimum:

• Guitars: Double-track rhythm parts

• Vocals: Track doubles, harmonies, and maybe some octaves

• Drums: Add MIDI layers if you’re working with samples

These are what give your mix its power - don’t skip them.

And Then, the Essentials People Still Forget

Even when bands nail everything above, these next few points still trip people up. They might seem minor, but they make a huge difference to your mixing engineer and your final result.

9. Fades

Add clean fade-ins and fade-outs to your parts, especially vocals and guitars, to avoid nasty pops or clicks. It makes editing much smoother and your mix cleaner.

10. MIDI or Drum Map

If you're sending MIDI drums or synths, make sure they’re mapped properly - especially if your mixer is using a different sample library. Export as General MIDI if you're unsure, and always include a note about your original kit layout. Alternatively, send audio files of individual drums too.

11. Cycle Length & Bounce

Bounce your stems from the exact same cycle length - even if an instrument doesn't play at the start.

This makes syncing all your files as easy as drag-and-drop and avoids a nightmare of mismatched start points.

12. Naming Your Files

Name your files clearly:

• Bad: Johns_right_leg.wav

• Good: Kick_in.wav

No one wants to sift through Audio_27.wav or new_guitar2_finalfinal(2).wav.

13. Dry and Wet Stems

If you've used processing like reverb, delay, or distortion, consider bouncing both dry and wet versions of important tracks, especially vocals or FX.

This gives the mixer flexibility, especially if your effects are part of the sound’s identity. The same goes for the MIDI drums above.

Bonus: Have a Vision

The best mixes start with a shared goal. What are your references? What vibe do you want? Is it raw and punchy? Or slick and cinematic?

Share that with your mixer up front - even a few Spotify links help massively.

Final Thoughts

Mixing can’t fix everything, but preparation can. If you treat the pre-mix process seriously, you’ll not only get better results but also save time, money, and stress.

Want to chat about your next project or need help getting your files ready for mix? Contact me here - I’d love to hear what you’re working on.