Hi!
So, I'm pretty much a noob in all aspects of making music.
As a Studio One user, I usually start a song, add some virtual instruments, and reset them to start mixing that sound.
My question is: do I really need to export all my MIDI channels as steems and then start another file for the mixing session?

 

Hi and welcome !
If your computer can handle all plugins you use while mixing no need. Just mix. Don't forgot to make backups

 

Welcome @Sensoy ;)
@Friendelek already told you the correct answer

 

You dont need to, but there are some advantages.

1. You cant keep tweaking things. You are forced to use the synth you choose, and cant switch presets, or tweak the synth, getting into an endless cycle of tweaking.

2. You can automate volume on clips easier, as well as draw fades, or chop up you audio. Its nice to have a visual representation

3. Less CPU usage.

theres probably some other advantages, but i just woke up and need more coffee haha. maybe some others can chime in

 

There is no definitive answer to this. But personally I prefer audio tracks for the final mix to avoid any round robin, free-modulation and random phase issue that can change the sound and the relationship between the different tracks.

 

If you bounce in place, most DAW will ask if you want to create a new audio channel with the new copy of the waveform. It also asks if you want to leave,mute, or delete the track you just bounced. You can leave it there, mute it, and hide it. It helps to put the new audio file directly under the channel you bounced. That way, you have "committed" to the stem and get any benefits from that; but you are leaving yourself some outs if you really need to unhide the original later. If you bypass all plugins on the original track, it has almost no impact on performance.
Maybe you hard r/l pan, or parallel compress; and you already have it right there too.

One reason to stem everything is sending the project off to someone else. That way you do not have to really worry about DAW versions and missing plugins between the different systems. Or that same issue when you are trying to open old projects. Everything is already baked in, and they will be able to work on it, even in a completely different DAW.

Working with stems also lets you clean up and organize your project more easily. It's better than a cluttered mess, after you color all the waveforms, create groups, and so on.

But the best reason is the clean slate you get with all the plugins removed. Mixing and Mastering plugins can be CPU heavy, and you are better off to start with as much freed up resources as possible.

 

you can bounce tracks to free up CPU, but you shouldn't have to worry if you use algo/stock plugins. by the way, Studio One has a plugin nap function that helps.