Solved 2 questions about levels

  • Thread starter Thread starter danny.guitar
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danny.guitar

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What's an ideal (peak) level to be mixing at? Or is there one? I usually try to keep it at about -6db.

And what's the ideal average level the mixdown should be at before sending it off to a ME? I usually try to keep it at around -12db. Is this enough "headroom" for the mastering process? Too much?

What do the mastering engineers here prefer?
 
-6dBFS is fine... It's a nice place to be.

Average levels on a mix like that would be around -24 to -22dBRMS... Also fine and a nice place to be.

I'm *assuming* that when you say "average levels" you mean the average *peak* level... Otherwise, -12dBRMS with peaks at -6dBFS would be a nightmare sounding thing...
 
My mixes usually turn out at around -20 (to 25) dB RMS with peaks at 0dB.
Is this ok?
I place a limiter on the output but it only catches the odd kick or snare hit.

Eck
 
Massive Master said:
-6dBFS is fine... It's a nice place to be.

Average levels on a mix like that would be around -24 to -22dBRMS... Also fine and a nice place to be.

I'm *assuming* that when you say "average levels" you mean the average *peak* level... Otherwise, -12dBRMS with peaks at -6dBFS would be a nightmare sounding thing...
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Yea I'm talking about the average peak level in db as it shows on the VU meter in the DAW.

I don't have any RMS meters in Reaper, so I don't know what the RMS level is... :confused: I think there's some plugins for that though...

So, a mixdown with peaks no greater than 12db is enough headroom?

Eh, I'm confused. I've read about RMS along time ago but I'm still not completely sure what it means and I get confused between RMS and DBFS :confused: :confused:
 
danny.guitar said:
Yea I'm talking about the average peak level in db as it shows on the VU meter in the DAW.
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Your DAW doesn't have VU meters.

danny.guitar said:
I don't have any RMS meters in Reaper, so I don't know what the RMS level is... :confused: I think there's some plugins for that though...
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RMS means (more or less in this situation) average. Not the average peak level, but the actual average level of the signal.

danny.guitar said:
So, a mixdown with peaks no greater than 12db is enough headroom?
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More than enough

danny.guitar said:
Eh, I'm confused. I've read about RMS along time ago but I'm still not completely sure what it means and I get confused between RMS and DBFS :confused: :confused:
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DBfs is the scale the meters in your software read. dbVU is the scale the meters on your mixer read.

RMS just means average. For example if you had a signal that had an average strength of -18dbfs, you could say the signal was -18dbfs RMS. If you had a signal that peaked at -18dbfs, you would say the signal was -18dbfs peak.
 
Not too much to add to the above other than I wouldn't get very nervous if some peaks even went as far as -1 dBFS in the mix. The more important issue is the crest factor (difference between the peak and the RMS ). I'll take a mix with a good dynamic range that peaks high over the reverse any day.

For an average rock song, I would say that a crest factor of 20 db or more should be fine to work with.
 
masteringhouse said:
For an average rock song, I would say that a crest factor of 20 db or more should be fine to work with.
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Nice one, so im on the right tracks then. :)

Eck
 
ecktronic said:
Nice one, so im on the right tracks then. :)

Eck
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Yep!

There are also considerations in analog versus digital mixes. If taken too far in the analog world the signal to noise ratio of the devices you are using becomes a bigger factor. In general I would say that it's best to operate gear at their "nominal" level. Not too hot, not too cold.

(unless you actually want distortion or noise for creative reasons)
 
@ Eck - On the snare thing... If you're limiting the *buss* to catch an occasional snare transient, try limiting *the snare* instead - Then the whole mix isn't subjected to the gain reduction - if even for an instant.
 
Massive Master said:
@ Eck - On the snare thing... If you're limiting the *buss* to catch an occasional snare transient, try limiting *the snare* instead - Then the whole mix isn't subjected to the gain reduction - if even for an instant.
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Yeah Ive done that before, suppose its just me getting into bad habits placing one on the master out. Cheers all.

Eck
 
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