Dry vs. Wet: Should I Upload Tracks with Effects?

Should I upload my tracks with effects (Dry vs. Wet)?

A complete guide on whether to upload your audio files with or without effects (dry vs. wet). This article breaks down the exact preparation steps for both AI Mastering and AI Mixing, including a quick reference guide on how to handle reverbs, standard EQs, creative effects, and master bus limiters.

Last updated: 2/27/2026

Whether you should upload your audio with effects ("wet") or without them ("dry") is one of the most common questions we get! The short answer is: It depends on which Cryo Mix tool you are using and the type of effect. Here is a simple guide to ensure our AI, Nova, gives you the best possible results.

Using the AI Mastering Tool (Single File)

If you are uploading a single, finished stereo file for AI Mastering, your track should have effects.

Keep your mix effects ON: All of your track-level EQs, compressors, reverbs, delays, and creative effects should be active. The track should sound exactly how you want the final mix to sound.
Turn your master bus effects OFF: Make sure to bypass any heavy limiters, maximizers, or heavy compression on your Master/Stereo Out channel before exporting. Nova needs some breathing room (headroom) to apply its own professional mastering chain.

Using the AI Mixing Tool (Stems)

If you are uploading individual stems (separate files for vocals, drums, bass, etc.) for AI Mixing, you generally want to upload them as dry as possible, with a few exceptions for creative sound design.

Giving the AI a clean, raw canvas allows it to properly analyze the frequencies and apply its own EQ, compression, and spatial effects (like reverb and delay) to glue the whole song together.

Turn OFF (Bypass) Spatial & Mixing Effects: Remove standard reverbs, delays, standard EQs, and compressors. If you upload a vocal that is already drowning in reverb, the AI cannot remove it, and adding more will make the mix sound muddy.
Keep ON (Bake In) Creative Effects: If an effect is a core part of the instrument's actual sound or "vibe," leave it on. This includes things like:
Guitar amp simulators or distortion pedals.
Pitch correction (Auto-Tune).
Specific vocal filters (e.g., a "telephone" EQ effect).
Flangers, phasers, or heavy modulation.

Pro Tip: If you aren't sure whether to leave an effect on, ask yourself: "Does this effect just make it sound 'better/louder', or is it fundamentally changing the instrument's identity?" If it's just making it sound better, turn it off and let Cryo Mix handle it!