NF Monitor Speakers, loud or soft???

[EveningSky]

What volume level should I use when mixing with near field monitor speakers?
The sound is very different to my ears when loud, perhaps due to the still suboptimal accustic properties of my recording room.
Advice?
Thank you,
ES

 

[Massive Master]

Around 80-85dBSPL is pretty normal (and generally goes along with the Fletcher-Munson curve of human hearing).

But yes, your room is going to have some amount of impact - Nearfield or not.

 

[bennychico11]

yep, agree with Massive.....79-85ish with pink noise at -20dBFS for video, or -18dBFS for music.

85dBSPL you may find is pretty loud for a typical home studio room, though.

 

[EveningSky]

How loud is that?

Thank you very much for your replies.
How loud is 79-85db?
Should I buy a sound pressure measuring device?
Is that a useful device for a home studio hobbiest?
Why does the sound sound different at different db levels?
Thank you.
ES

 

[mshilarious]

Thank you very much for your replies.
How loud is 79-85db?

Not too loud, but certainly not quiet. It is below the level that will damage hearing with long-term exposure.

Should I buy a sound pressure measuring device?

Yes.

Is that a useful device for a home studio hobbiest?

Yes.

Why does the sound sound different at different db levels?
Thank you.
ES

Because your ears work differently at different volumes. Look up Massive's "Fletcher-Munson curve" reference.


PS to benny . . . a home studio might find 85dB too loud if they set 0VU to -18dBFS, and then they pop in a commercial CD and try to chase that level. It's gonna be much louder than 85dBA unless they recalibrate for "mastering". Hence the value of having a dB meter laying around.

 

[EveningSky]

How to use Mackie H824s?

These are internal biamped speakers.
There is a knob on the back for the internal amp setting.
Should I set this on -10db or full amp?
Does this make a difference?
I am feeding the signal from a DAC1, which should be a good quality signal.
I am still amazed at how different the music sounds at different db levels.
Thank you again,
ES

 

[bennychico11]

PS to benny . . . a home studio might find 85dB too loud if they set 0VU to -18dBFS, and then they pop in a commercial CD and try to chase that level. It's gonna be much louder than 85dBA unless they recalibrate for "mastering". Hence the value of having a dB meter laying around.

I agree 100%