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Export System

Songbird supports exporting stems, masters, and MIDI from both the GUI and CLI.

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Stem Types

ModeFlagPluginsSignal PathUse Case
Dry--dryNoneRaw clips onlySharing with collaborators for re-mixing
Wet--wetTrack chainThrough track inserts (EQ, comp, etc.)Stems for mastering
Wet + Returns--wet-fullFull pathThrough sends and return FX (reverb, delay)“What it sounds like in the mix” (minus master bus)

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How Each Mode Renders

  • Dry: Single-track bitset with usePlugins=false. Produces the raw audio clips for each track.
  • Wet: Single-track bitset with usePlugins=true, useMasterPlugins=false. Applies the track’s insert plugin chain (channel strip, EQ, compressor, etc.) but not the master bus.
  • Wet + Returns: Full bitset with all other content tracks muted (return tracks stay unmuted), usePlugins=true, useMasterPlugins=false. The track’s audio flows through its sends to return tracks (reverb, delay) which remain active. Master bus FX are excluded — use a separate --master export for the full mastered bounce.
Note: Summing all “wet+returns” stems will double-count return FX since the same reverb return appears in every track’s stem that sends to it. Use “wet” stems if you need stems that sum cleanly.

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Take Lanes

Each track can have take lanes (alternate recordings). When exporting with take lanes enabled (--lanes), the system:
  1. Iterates through each take lane defined in the .bird file
  2. For each lane, temporarily mutes all clips except those belonging to that lane (via the birdLane clip property)
  3. Renders the track
  4. Restores original mute states
Take lane stems are named TrackName_LaneN.wav.

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Master with Take Lane Variations

For A/B comparison of takes in a full mix context, master exports can swap in specific take lanes: 
--master-lanes 0:1,0:2
This renders separate master bounces where track 0’s active clips are swapped to lane 1, then lane 2, producing Master_TrackName_Lane1.wav and Master_TrackName_Lane2.wav.

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CLI Export

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Interactive Mode

./utils/export.sh <project.bird>
Presents a menu:
  1. Master — stereo master bounce, optional take lane variations
  2. All stems — all tracks, choose stem type (dry/wet/wet+fx)
  3. Selected tracks — pick specific tracks, with per-track take lane option

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Non-Interactive Flags

./utils/export.sh <project.bird> --dry --wet --master --lanes --skip-build
FlagDescription
--dryDry stems (no effects)
--wetWet stems (track plugin chain)
--wet-fullWet stems + return bus FX
--masterMaster stereo bounce
--lanesInclude take lanes as separate stems
--tracks 0,1,2Specific track indices (0-based)
--master-lanes T:LMaster with take lane swaps (track:lane)
--output <dir>Custom output directory
--skip-buildSkip C++ build step

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Output Directory

Exports are saved to <project>/stems/<timestamp>/ with subdirectories:
  • dry/ — dry stems
  • wet/ — wet stems
  • wet_returns/ — wet+returns stems
  • Root — master bounces

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GUI Export

The Export popover in the toolbar provides the same options:
  • Master — with optional take lane variation selection
  • Stems — dry, wet, or wet+returns, with take lanes toggle
  • MIDI — sheet music export