In this article, we are going to see which are the relevant audio export options and settings in the most common DAW and how to set them to get the mix export ready for mastering.
AUDIO EXPORT SETTINGS
Ableton Live
Rendered Track: Master
Normalize: Off
Render as Loop: Off
File Type: WAV or AIFF
Convert to Mono: Off
Sample Rate: Use the mixing session sample rate
Bit Depth: 24 or 32 Bit
Dither Option: Off
Cubase
Channels to Export: Export Channel - Master
Export: Between Locators
File Type: WAV or AIFF
Bit Depth: 24 or 32 Bit
Advanced Options: L/R Channels
Real-Time Export: Ticked
FL Studio
Mode: Song
Tail: Leave Reminder
Output Format: WAV
WAV Bit Depth: 24 or 32 Bit Stereo
Quality Resampling: at least 64-point Sinc
HQ for all plugins: Tick
Disable maximum polyphony: Un-tick
Dithering: Un-tick
Garageband
Quality: Uncompressed (AIFF)
ADVANCED WINDOW:
Audio Recording Resolution: tick 24 bit
Auto Normalize: Un-tick
Logic Pro
Normalize: Off
File Format: WAVE of AIFF
Resolution: 24 or 32 Bit
Sample Rate: Use the mixing session sample rate
File Type: Interleaved
Dithering: None
Destination: PCM
Include Audio Tail: Tick
ProTools
Bounce Source: Same output as Master Fader (Normally it's already selected)
File Type: WAV or AIFF
Format: Interleaved
Bit Depth: 24 or 32 Bit
Sample Rate: Use the mixing session sample rate
Reaper
Render: Master mix
Render Bounds: Entire project
Sample Rate: Use the mixing session sample rate
Channels: Stereo
Output Format: WAV or AIFF
Bit Depth: 24 or 32 Bit
Sonar
Files Of Type: WAVE of AIFF
Source Category: Entire Mix
Channel Format: Stereo
Sample Rate: Use the mixing session sample rate
Bit Depth: 24 or 32 Bit
Dithering: None
Studio One
Format: WAVE of AIFF
Resolution: 24 or 32 Bit
Sample Rate: Use the mixing session sample rate
Export Range: Between song start/end marker
Output: Main