A mixing conundrum

[mchad]

I sent some stems to a "pro" to get mixed.

The mastered wav comes back and it's playing 7.5% faster than the demo mix I'd done myself.

The track is 132bpm on my PC and his master is about 142bpm on my PC. The key has shifted from B to C.

There was a fair bit of back and forth between me and him as we worked to get the stems prepared so his system (Cubase) could read and play them properly.

It's a bit of a head scratcher. I admit that my home made demos are not pristine and my workflow is not industry standard. My project housekeeping is quirky and unique to me because I never thought I'd export stems for outside work.

I need some info on how to prepare stems for export to someone else for mixing. Especially the effect when sample rates are different.

Thanks

[Elantric]

I sent some stems to a "pro" to get mixed.

The mastered wav comes back and it's playing 7.5% faster than the demo mix I'd done myself.

The track is 132bpm on my PC and his master is about 142bpm on my PC. The key has shifted from B to C.

There was a fair bit of back and forth between me and him as we worked to get the stems prepared so his system (Cubase) could read and play them properly.

It's a bit of a head scratcher. I admit that my home made demos are not pristine and my workflow is not industry standard. My project housekeeping is quirky and unique to me because I never thought I'd export stems for outside work.

I need some info on how to prepare stems for export to someone else for mixing. Especially the effect when sample rates are different.

Thanks

Sounds like classic 44.1kHz Source, Mastered as 48kHz  - with resulting Faster tempo and higher pitch.

poor quality control from your Mastering house.

Common issue

https://forums.musicplayer.com/topic/115107-van-halen-train-wreck/
https://warmowski.wordpress.com/2007/10/05/jump-in-pitch/

[mchad]

Thanks Elantric.

I'm going to research up stem preparation for export. Or tell my mixer guy that my older material is 44.1/16 and he needs to adjust accordingly at his end.

BTW. Thanks for the Van Halen vid. Ironically it would not play properly on my PC. The sound is choppy and lots of drop outs. Other YT vids are fine.

[Elantric]

Thanks Elantric.

I'm going to research up stem preparation for export. Or tell my mixer guy that my older material is 44.1/16 and he needs to adjust accordingly at his end.

BTW. Thanks for the Van Halen vid. Ironically it would not play properly on my PC. The sound is choppy and lots of drop outs. Other YT vids are fine.

Better version is here:

^ 44.1kHz backing track played back at 48kHz sample Rate = faster tempo and higher pitch Synths playing in key of C# and out of tune live guitar playing in original key of C


Compare with  original 44.1kHz Sample Rate below in key of C ( if you cant hear the difference, develop your ear training skills )

In 2023 many rookies think DVD video will be required output and those use 48kHz


While Audio CDs ( how quaint) use 44.1kHz

[mchad]

Absolute trainwreck.

There's no harm in calling a halt to the song and fixing things if possible.

Anyways, I think my older material at 44.1 will need to go to someone who can deal with it.

[Brak(E)man]

Absolute trainwreck.

There's no harm in calling a halt to the song and fixing things if possible.

Anyways, I think my older material at 44.1 will need to go to someone who can deal with it.

There's no reason that a mastering would be a problem in 44.1

[Brak(E)man]

There's no reason that a mastering would be a problem in 44.1

I'll take that back.

After vinyl and cassette, CDs were (and still are in the physical world ) standard for the finished mastering. So not being able to master in 44.1 is a real problem.

I had to sit for hours waiting for a mastering program in the mid/early 90s , to convert 48 files into 44.1 before sending it to the pressing plants. Today the conversion takes zero time and no issues whatsoever.

[gumtown]

44.1kHz shouldn't be a problem, so long as you tell the Production house what format you have supplied the recordings in (bit resolution and sample rate).

They would probably snub their nose at 44.1kHz but can easily upscale to whatever they use, probably 192kHz 64 bit.