Ultimate Song Finishing Checklist

PARTS / SOUNDS
Do I have enough musical elements for a finished song?

Drums

Bass

A Hook (Lead, Vocal, Sample, etc)

Supporting melodic parts (e.g. chords / Arpeggio)

Do I have enough drum elements for different arrangement options?

Kick

Snare

Clap

Hats Closed

Hats Open

Ride / Tambourine / Shaker

Percussion High (clave, bongo, hi toms, synth)

Percussion Low (low toms, congas, etc)

Is my Hook irresistibly catchy. Does it get stuck in my head?

Is my beat/groove irresistibly infectious. Does it make me want to move?

Is my loop the best it can be? Can I listen to it on repeat and not get bored?

Are all my sounds at least 80% good enough sonically? & Do they compliment each other?

Does this song feel memorable?

Does it make me feel something emotionally?

SECTIONS
Do I have a drop section?

Do I have a breakdown / alternate section?

ARRANGEMENT
Have I designed my “Perfect Average Arrangement”?

Does this arrangement work for my track?

Do i need any small custom adjustments to my Perfect Average Arrangement?

FLOW
Do i have buildups where necessary?

Do I need any automation to keep my sounds moving and interesting over time?

Do all my section changes transition smoothly?

Am I building tension where necessary?

MIXDOWN
Have I set my kick level into my limiter?

Have I set up some good reference tracks at my target volume?

Is my low end rocking?

Have I balanced my volumes?

Have I checked if any sounds need EQ

Do any sounds need dynamic control/compression e.g. Vocals, Drum Group

Do any sounds need overdrive for power?

Have I chosen my pan positions and width

Have I applied Reverb / Delay to any sounds that felt too dry and small?

Check if any sections need custom automation e.g. volume balance, reverb sends etc

Double check your reference tracks and master bus settings

Double check your mono compatibility.

Test your mixdown on multiple different speakers & headphones

Share your mix with the Inner Circle & Feedback Friday to other peoples opinions.

Share your mix with any other trusted peers for feedback

If any corrections are necessary, make them

You’re finished! :) Celebrate, and share your music with the world!

The Road To Main Stage