Tracking Out Stems For Beat/Song BackUp

[MikeSV]

I mix all my own music, so everything is tracked out dry, I then back those up to an external hard drive. All my folders are organized automatically by date.

[CJ Mastering]

Was wondering if anyone here backs up their projects by tracking them out.
If you do:

1. What format do you back them up in 16bit/24bit?
2. Do you have all effects Dry/Wet?
3. How do you organize the files .ie by year/type/emotion/genre?

All mixing projects are tracked out.

#1. I back them up in what ever format there in at that moment in time. A back up should be the exact copy of what your backing up.

#2. The back up is the same exact thing as what I'm working on. If there are effects on tracks, then they get backed up.

#3. I back each of the songs and tracks in the song by Artist/Band name. This way when John doe calls a year later and wants his song because his PC crashed, i can easily look it up. (your situation is different since your not mixing other peoples music, but if you are, this is the way to go)

[Tenderfoot]

Thanks for the replies guys. Very insightful. As I mix my own songs and I might
eventually sell some of them i'll do the following from now own:

1. Back the files up at 24bit (preferebly). That why the mastering engineer
can worry about dithering etc(if a song/beat ever gets bought or I decide to
professionally release it)

2. I'll have two version an Unmixed version Dry, and a mixed version wet. And of
course a mixed down pseudo mastered mp3 for quick reference lol

3. Projects (Beats/Songs) By Artist (if sold)/Genre/Type and then date within
the files.

Hope this helps someone else out there.

Cheers,

[CJ Mastering]

Also, when you record and mix, you should back up after each session ends.

You should also have 3 back-ups of everything.
For example:
1st backup - Audio drive in your PC (Like Drive D or E)
2nd backup - External hard drive (Outside your PC)
3rd backup - A hard drive or a CD or DVD kept off site in case of fire or theft

Having 3 copy's ensures that you'll never ever ever lose anythnig

CJ