FILE DELIVERY SPECS

Music File Delivery Guidelines

File Naming:
Please follow this specific format for naming your files:
Briefcode_TrackName_BPM_Firstname_Lastname.wav
Example: H01_HauntedHouse_120_John_Doe.wav

Audio Format:

  • Bit Rate: 24-bit

  • Sample Rate: 48kHz

  • Format: WAV

Loudness Standards:

  • Target loudness: -12 Integrated LUFS

  • Acceptable range: +/- 1 dB around -12 LUFS

  • True Peak Limit: Ensure your signal does not exceed 0.0 dBFS.

  • Add a brick wall or true peak limiter on the master channel. The limiter should lightly reduce peaks, with no heavy limiting. If the limiter is doing too much, lower your LUFS until the limiter barely touches peaks (preferably reducing to -6 dB or below).

Stem Delivery

For each track, provide 8-12 stems, separating instruments as follows:

  • Drums: (Kicks, Snares, Hats, Cymbals, etc.)

  • Percussion: (Shakers, Bongos, Fills, etc.)

  • Bass & Sub

  • Synths/Keys

  • Brass

  • Strings

  • Guitars

  • Lead Instruments

  • Lead Vocal

  • Vox Elements: (Shouts, Chants, “Hey’s” “Yeah’s”)

  • FX: (Sound effects, reverses, risers, noises)

Important:

  • Reverb/FX: Print reverbs and delays directly into their respective stems (do not separate these effects as standalone stems).

  • Stem Uniformity: Ensure all stems are of uniform length. Set both start and end points on your DAW timeline to ensure uniformity when bouncing.

Stem Naming:
Use the following format:
Briefcode_TrackName_Length_BPM_Initials_Instrument.wav
Example: H01_HauntedHouse_30sec_120_JD_Guitars.wav

Cutdown Versions

For 30-second cutdowns:

  • Exact length: Cutdowns must be exactly 30 seconds (no deviations).

  • Structure: Include essential sections of the original track (e.g., intro, verse, chorus) in a condensed form. Ensure the edit still feels natural and musical.

  • End Hit: Include a distinct end hit to allow editors flexibility when cutting the track. For the 30-second version, tighten up the end hit but maintain a smooth, natural conclusion.

  • Consistency: Apply consistent length for the 30-second track and stems, ensuring no audio exceeds 30 seconds (including ring-outs).

Tips for Cutdowns:

  • Simple Beginnings: Start with a clean intro—avoid making it too busy.

  • Smooth Endings: Preserve natural endings and avoid abrupt cuts.

  • Focus on Final Chorus: Use the final chorus of the track for higher energy in the cutdown.

  • Crossfades: Use a 3ms crossfade on edits for smoother transitions between sections.

  • Measure phrase lengths: Work in manageable sections (usually 4 or 8 bars) to maintain structure.

General Submission Guidelines

  • Master FX ON: Keep all master effects enabled when exporting stems to ensure that the stems sound like the final mix. We do not have time to re-mix stems during the project.

  • Exact Lengths: Ensure that cutdowns and stems are exactly the same length across all files.

Submission Note: Please make sure no tracks have been registered with any Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) or uploaded to Digital Service Providers (DSPs) such as Spotify, Apple Music, etc.

For any questions or further assistance, please refer to our FAQ or reach out to us directly at composers@occultsync.com. We’re happy to help!