Hey guys,
I just got my first request to fully mix and master a song but I’m a little worried.
This guy wants to release this song on streaming platforms, So I asked him to send over the stems because the beat itself is very muddy, distorted and all around it doesn’t sound good. I figured if he could send over the stems for it I could clean it up. The vocals itself sound fine.
But he’s refusing to send over the stems for the beat, I’m not sure why, he told me to mix it that way. I suppose it could be possible if I separate the stems myself, but when I think about it I’m guessing he may have ripped a YouTube beat or something that’s why he’s hesitant on sending the stems. I don’t mind artists using beats to record over, but I’d like to know if he owns the rights, or has permission to use it for commercial use. But everytime I ask he is either dodgy with the question or just changes the subject.
My question is, I don’t really feel comfortable mixing a song for full release if he doesn’t own the beat and I don’t want to be associated with it if it gets taken down/in trouble. But at the same time it’s my first opportunity to mix/master a song for someone else. What do you think?