Old 06-08-2014, 09:53 PM   #1
plgrmsprgrs
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Default Stem Rendering Problem For Mastering

Hey folks,

I'm sending a mix off for stem mastering, but having an issue with the rendered files. It's my understanding that the stems (bus stems), when inserted into another DAW, should reproduce your mix with fx/pan/levels intact. When I render my bus stems and play the stems in the original project they sound fine. But, when I import the stems into a new project or another DAW, panning seems to be fine but levels are wacked out, some higher and some lower. I found a thread where Richie talked about rendering post faders and tried that, but to no avail. What am I missing?

Thanks,
Kyle
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Old 06-09-2014, 09:10 AM   #2
darkcloud2973
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Usually, when people export stems it is for mixing on another system so it makes sense that the files would be pre fader. There may be a way to export post fader, but I'm not sure how. It looks like the only way you could preserve pan levels would be if each track was exported in stereo.

By the way, I'm not sure I understand the concept of stem mastering. If you already have the song mixed to your liking, then what is the advantage of mastering stems as opposed to mastering the mixed down song?
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Old 06-09-2014, 01:34 PM   #3
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Post fader rendering is found in Actions list. Stem mastering has some controversy surrounding it, but is increasingly seen as a legitimate practice. Apparently, many disagree on terminology. Google will reveal a good bit of information about the process and philosophical differences.

I still haven't found a solution to the levels problem though.

Kyle
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Old 06-09-2014, 06:05 PM   #4
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Are you soloing each bus and rendering normally through the master bus, or are you exporting the bus stems directly? If you are rendering through the master bus and have any kind of compression or limiting on the master, it could throw all your levels out of whack when only sending one bus at a time through. Sorry I'm grasping at straws here, lol. I just hate to see a question go unanswered.
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Old 06-10-2014, 09:57 AM   #5
plgrmsprgrs
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Got it! After much trial and error I realized the stems had to be rendered through the que as masters. Everything sounds perfect now. Thanks for the input!

Kyle
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Old 06-10-2014, 09:58 AM   #6
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Cool! Glad to hear it
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