A professional delivery is the difference between a client who feels confident in your work and one who feels like they are beta-testing a broken product. If your delivery process is a mess of vague filenames and expiring links, it doesn't matter how good the snare sounds, the experience is basically ruined.
Here is a condensed, no-fluff workflow to make sure your mix delivery is as amazing as your audio.
1. The Pre-Export Checklist
Before you hit export, do a final overview check of the session to catch the "amateur" mistakes that lead to unnecessary revisions. Probably you have left some sound muted, or accidentally automated something in the wrong way, etc.
- Check Your Tails: Make sure you haven't cut off a reverb tail or a final delay feedback.
- Remove the Limiter: Unless it's part of the sound, take off your "vibe" limiter on the master bus. Give the next person in the chain some headroom, or better yet simply give them both versions.
- Scan for Clicks: Solo the vocal and guitar/synth starts/ends. If you hear a pop, add a tiny crossfade or edit the volume.
- Mono Check: Toggle your mix to mono for a few seconds. If the lead vocal or snare disappears, you have a phase issue to fix before the client hears it.
2. Standardized Naming (The "No Guesswork" Rule)
Stop naming files "Final_Mix_V2_Fixed." Use a machine-readable format that stays organized in a folder.
- The Template:
ArtistName_SongTitle_Version_Premaster.wav - Example:
DandanNoodleBoys_Spicy_MixV1_PM.wav - Pro Tip: Always include a simple version number. It makes A/B testing easier for you and the client. Or the date!
3. Organize with Intent
Don't just send a single file. Provide a "Delivery Package" that anticipates what the client (or the mastering engineer) will need.
- The Main Mix: 24-bit/Original Sample Rate WAV.
- The Reference: A limited, "loud" version for the client to listen to in the car or play at a club.
- The Performance Set: If the client asked for it, give them all the mixed multi tracks or stems.
- The "Notes" File: A simple text doc with the BPM, Key, and any specific notes about the version.
4. Use an Audio-First Hub
Generic file-hosting is where professional vibes go to die. Moving to a dedicated platform like Echoe simplifies the "last mile" of your workflow:
- Upload Once: Organize your files into nested folders (Stems, Mixes, Masters) and share only the files that the client should receive, or make a playlist of those files.
- Inline Revisions: When you finish Mix V2, upload it as a new version of the same file. The client can A/B the change instantly in the player.
- Visual Feedback: Let the client use the waveform display or spectrum analyzer to see exactly what they are hearing.
- No Expirations: Send a flexible, non-expiring share link so you aren't re-uploading the same 2GB project two weeks later.
5. Managing the Feedback Loop
Once the link is sent, set the ground rules for feedback to avoid the "endless email" trap.
- Centralize the Chat: Tell the client to leave all notes as timestamped comments directly on the waveform.
- Consolidate: If it's a band, ask for one unified list of notes rather than four separate emails.
- Tagging: Use tags or notes in your project library to mark tracks as "Needs Review" or "Approved" so everyone stays on the same page.
Alternatives Worth Checking Out
While Echoe is built for this streamlined project organization, there are other tools that handle specific parts of the handoff:
- Samply: Great for gapless project playback if you are delivering an entire album or EP.
- Filepass: The best choice if you need to ensure the final invoice is paid before the high-res WAV is unlocked for download.
- WeTransfer Pro: Still a solid option for pure "fire and forget" file sending if you don't need a persistent project library or HQ previews.
Related guides
Best way to share WAV files with clients (without compression)
How to send large audio files online: complete guide for producers
Dropbox vs SoundCloud vs audio-first sharing tools for producers
How to get mix feedback without endless email threads
How producers organize projects when working with clients remotely
How labels review demos efficiently
File sharing mistakes producers make (and how to avoid them)
Tools mentioned
Echoe | Filepass | Samply | WeTransfer Pro | WeTransfer