File Naming Conventions and Creating Stems and Mixes
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The document outlines standards for file naming conventions and the creation of stems and mixes in audio production. Key definitions include mix master, mix version, and various types of mix stems, along with recommendations for file naming practices to ensure clarity and consistency. It emphasizes delivering only necessary files to clients and suggests specific naming formats for different audio scenarios.
File Naming Conventions and Creating Stems and Mixes
- 1. File Naming Conventions and Creating Stems and Mixes The Application of AES Standards for Recording Assignments
- 2. 1. Definitions 2. Version Naming Convention 3. Recommendations for Music Mix Delivery (non-film, non-game specific) 4. Recommendations for Printing Stems 5. Digital Audio Delivery Table of Content
- 3. • Mix Master definition – A mono, stereo or multi-channel surround mix created during the mixing process containing all the final desired elements of the multi-track production. The Mix Master is considered to be the final mix master approved by the artist, producer and engineer intended for commercial release. • Mix Version definition – Any mono, stereo or multi-channel surround mix created during the mixing process containing all of the elements of the master mix with any one of the mixes elements perspective changed. For example, a vocal up of the mix master would be considered a mix version • Mix Stem definition – Any mono, stereo or multi-channel surround version created during the mixing process that does NOT contain all of the elements of the Master mix. Mix Stems contain all relevant audio, processing, volume, panning and effects associated with that Stemʼs featured elements relevant to the mix master. • Instrumental Track definition -- a complete replica of the mix master containing no vocals. • No Lead Vocal definition – a replica of the master mix that includes backing vocals but contains no lead vocal and/or no artist vocals. Often referred to as “TV Track”. Definitions
- 5. Version Naming Convention With so many digital audio files being involved in each audio project, it is important that Mix versions and Stem file names contain all relevant information within their file names, easy to understand at a glance. For example: LH_BodyAndSoul_Master_96k_24b_R01.wav
- 6. LH_BodyAndSoul_Master_96k_24b_R01.wav File Extension: Generally generated during file creation, if you have the option to show or hide the file extension it should always be shown. Only one period should be used in the title and should only be placed before the file extension. The audio file name example below contains the following information, each separated by an underscore A 2 to 4 letter name code used consistently throughout a project. Most often the artistʼs initials are used for this. In this example “LH” is used. Listed after the artist initials is the song title, or useful abbreviation thereof. Capitalise each word or word fragment. Title contains no spaces, punctuation or diacritical markings (accents), so names are universally file compatible. Song title names should be less than 15 characters if possible. Lengthy titles maybe routinely abbreviated by other programs when imported. Mix Version or Stem type: After the song title, list the mix or stem identifier. “Master” is the example shown above. Again capitalize each word or word fragment so title contains no spaces. Sample rate at which the audio file was created is listed after the mix version or stem type. Bit Depth: Bit depth at which the audio file was created. Revision Number: A 2-digit revision identifier with an “R” preceding it is listed last. The higher the number, the more recent the version created. Version Naming Convention Example
- 7. Recommended Mix Versions for Delivery (non-film, non-game specific)
- 8. Name Comment AA_SongTitle_MixMaster Without any processing on the stereo output such as mastering plugins AA_SongTitle_VocUp Vocals +3dB AA_SongTitle_InstOnly This stem would be the same as the mix master excluding all lead, harmony and background vocals. AA_SongTitle_NoLdVoc This stem would be the same as the mix master excluding lead vocal. Traditional called TV Track. AA_SongTitle_LdVocOnly This stem would be the same as the mix master but would only include the lead vocal with all eq, compression and fx. AA_SongTitle_BgvOnly This stem would be the same as the mix master but would only include the background vocals with all eq, compression and fx. Recommended Mix Versions for Delivery (non-film, non-game specific) Some refer to the lead vocal only and the background vocals only as a cappella stems. These stems are normally used by the mix engineer to address vocal level changes to the mix when the client is not able to recall the mix. A standard master mix delivery is considered to include the mix master, vocal up, instrumental, mix master with no lead vocal, lead vocal only and backing vocal only.
- 9. Recommendations for Printing Stems
- 10. Recommendations for Printing Stems (non-film, non-game specific) Mix stems are NOT considered to be a part of standard mix delivery, but in some cases are requested. If a definitive stem set is not specified, then the following generic stem set may be used.
- 11. Name Comment AA_SongTitle_LdVocWet Lead vocal wet - with effects i.e. reverb, delay, modulation, etc AA_SongTitle_BgvWet Backing vocal wet - with effects i.e. reverb, delay, modulation, etc AA_SongTitle_Drums All instruments, acoustic, electric and programmed, that make up the essential “drum” groove. AA_SongTitle_AuxPerc All other percussion instruments, loops, etc that enhance the primary groove. AA_SongTitle_Bass All instruments, acoustic, electric and programmed, that make up the essential “bass” part. AA_SongTitle_EGtrs All electric guitars* AA_SongTitle_AGtrs All acoustic guitars* AA_SongTitle_Keys All acoustic keyboard instruments Recommendations for Printing Stems (non-film, non-game specific) cont. Recommended Stem Versions: * can be combined into one stem Gtrs
- 12. Name Comment AA_SongTitle_Strings All strings acoustic and programmed AA_SongTitle_Brass All brass and wind instruments acoustic and programmed AA_SongTitle_SFX Any sound effects; dialog, sound bites of speeches, etc. Additional specialty instrument stems maybe done depending on genre and program material. Below are some examples of specialty stems. Recommendations for Printing Stems (non-film, non-game specific) cont.
- 13. Level Object Type Length Number Lvl1_ Zombie_ Groan_ Long_ 1 Lvl2_ Pug_ Brains_ Short_ 2 Lvl3_ Bark_ 3 Lvl4_ Whimper_ 4 Lvl5_ Breath_ 5 Naming Files for Game Audio e.g. Lvl1_Zombie_Groan_Long_01
- 14. Delivery
- 15. Deliver to the client ONLY what they really need. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Before you determine what file-types you are giving to the client, know exactly what the client is planning to do with your mixes/masters.
- 16. File Naming Conventions and Creating Stems and Mixes The Application of AES Standards for Recording Assignments