Do you export tracks to individual .wav files before mixing?

[Mr.Noobyman]

Just wondering if anyone does that? I've heard it saves CPU. Wonder if there are other benefits...

[close/far]

Are you talking about consolidating edits/comps down to a single region? If so, then yeah sometimes. I had a recent project that had loads of tracks and edits and my computer was getting sluggish, so I consolidated everything and then removed the "unused" files... cleared right up! But I only do that when I need to, not as a regular working method.

[FeatheredSerpent]

Off-line processing is a good enough reason.. thumbsup

[Sk106]

I always do. The reasons are many.

• Keeps the work process in clearly defined "stages". It makes me push myself more, by thinking that once I pass this stage, I can't (or at least won't) go back to fix it. Forces me to ‘not leave anything to chance’ already from the beginning. I always found that what was the biggest problem with my music making or mixing, was that I didn't care enough about things from the very get go, thinking “I’ll make it work later” in the process.
• It separates any musical and technical aspects of the project. Musical and technical aspects should dependent of each other in the smallest amount possible. Preferably not at all. If I produce the song, I do the music first. Then I export it and mix it, meaning the music is done 100% once the mix starts. So when the mix starts, I already know exactly what to do with it, which makes the mixing stay completely focused and still speed up with 100%.
• Saves system resources, yes, which speeds up the workflow and computer work power very much. In my case more than 50%. Also makes the system screw ups go away, because I don’t have 35 compressors, 23 gates, 40 eqs, virtual cross-wiring and 5 custom reverbs in one file.
• Saves me from “keeping in mind” what I got on this or that track or bus already. If frees up my mind. If I hard print things onto audio, and start from an empty project file, then I’m on a clean slate – mentally.
• Makes it easier to maintain separate “stages” in the form of project file and song “versions”. If I got everything in one file, then it’s a lot bigger risk if that file becomes corrupted or .. something else that I didn’t foresee happens.

Etc etc ..