How To Export Multitracks In Cubase

If you’re sending a Cubase session off for mixing, the main thing you need is one clearly named audio file per track, exported in a format that will open cleanly and in sync when imported into the mix engineer's DAW.

Before exporting, make sure you have properly prepared your multitracks for mixing. If you need help with that first, read Preparing Your Multitracks For Mixing.

Table of Contents

  1. How To Export Your Multitracks

  2. What To Check Before Sending

  3. Upload Your Multitracks

    Unsure? Get in touch

How To Export Your Multitracks

1. Set the left and right locators across the full song

In the Project window, set the left and right locators so they cover the full section you want to export.

This matters because Cubase exports the audio between the locators, and it helps make sure all of the exported files line up properly when imported into another DAW.

2. Open the export window

Go to File > Export > Audio Mixdown.

3. Set Channel Selection to Multiple

In the Export Audio Mixdown window, set Channel Selection to Multiple.

This allows you to export more than one channel at once.

4. Select the channels you want to export

In the channel list, select the tracks or channels you want to send.

If it helps, you can turn on Sync Selection to Channel/Track Selection so Cubase filters the export list according to the tracks you have selected in the Project window.

5. Set Export Range to Locators

This tells Cubase to export the section between the left and right locators.

6. Choose your file format

Set File Type to WAV or AIFF.

Either is fine for sending multitracks to a mix engineer.

7. Choose your bit depth

Select 24-bit, unless you explicitly recorded at, or only used samples that are 16-bit. If you are unsure, pick 24-bit.

8. Use the project’s native sample rate

This is usually 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, but it can be other rates too, such as 96 kHz or even 192 kHz. The important thing is simply to export at whatever sample rate the project is already set to.

9. Set Effects to Disabled (DRY) in most cases

For most multitrack exports, set Effects to Disabled (DRY).

If you are not sure what should stay on and what should come off before export, read Should I Leave Effects On When Exporting Multitracks?.

10. Choose a clear naming scheme

Use the naming options to make sure the exported files are easy to read.

A simple naming scheme based around channel name is usually a sensible choice.

11. Choose where to save the exported files

Pick a folder location you can easily find again, then click Export Audio.

What To Check Before Sending

Once Cubase has exported the files, open the folder and give it a quick check.

Make sure:

  • The expected tracks are all there

  • The file names are clear

  • Everything starts from the same point

  • Nothing has been cut off

If you are sending the tracks to a mix engineer, it is also a good idea to include a rough mix alongside the exported files.

Upload Your Multitracks

Once you have finished your export, you can upload your multitracks on my file upload page and I’ll have a listen and get back to you with the next steps.

If you have any questions at all, feel free to send me a message via the contact page.