Headroom for Mix

[mattkw80]

When I am creating my final mix down, how Hot should I be trying to aim the levels for ?

ie:

I am mixing a rock song..... should I try to be mixing it all so that it's hitting
-3 but not over that..... (I am mixing in digital).

Also, would this change if I were mixing say .... just acoustic and vocal ?

I of course want the loudest, most up front mixes possible.

Does the Mastering-Engineer need a certain db of headroom to work with ?

[Raw-Tracks]

You should shoot for no higher than -3dbfs, maybe even a little less. That will give the Mastering Engineer enough room to work with.

[Massive Master]

I shoot for around -6 myself, but hey - I'm glad with almost *anything* that isn't clipped or limited.

[Nick98338]

I shoot for -6 to -9 in digital.

[mattkw80]

Thanks for the reply's everybody, sounds like what I was doing was the right idea.

In summary, I'll just stay in the -3 to -9 range.

Thanks again.