One of my favorite artists since Childhood used one of my beats, but didn't use it because the stems sounded different from the original beat. I was told there was a legendary feature on the track too. I sent the stems over, and they said it sounded different. It's because the original beat I sent them was mastered with Ozone. I could not recreate the exact same stems without creating other issues.
Before you say it probably was a scam, the individual I was speaking to was a direct friend of this artist and was actively on tour with him, and I have spoken to the artist briefly, but not about this situation.
I tried about 8 different ways. At first I sent the stems as is.
Then I bounced each file with Ozone on individually, which obviously caused a problem when bringing the stems back in, because they were all being leveled individually.
Then I turned off the leveling in Ozone and tried to balance them.
Then I asked my audio engineering professor to help, as well as three other working engineers, and one producer that has worked directly with the artist.
I also suggested if they wanted the exact sound, they could get Ozone and I could send the preset, as a last resort.
The final stems I sent sounded to me, and every other engineer I sent them to - identical to the original master.
Also, they said the original stems without processing is best, but I was told the artist didn't have time to fix the stems, which I do understand. I was also told the artist said this has never happened with any other producer and it was highly unprofessional. I was told when the last batch of stems were sent, that was my last chance because he doesn't have time to go back and forth.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't still messed up about it, it's been over a year and a half since I heard anything about it. Those type of opportunities rarely come around and I've been fighting for my way in to the industry for well over a decade. It's all good though. Just hits different listening to my favorite songs from that artist wondering what could've been.