Decibel Meter in Cakewalk?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alanfc
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Alanfc

Alanfc

New member
I've been looking at decibel meters and they all seem to be for using in the air/open space.

I am looking for a decibel meter that can measure this hot lava I'm pouring into my ears using my headphones. I can never tell what is safe or not. I know my ears shouldn't be ringing after I'm done, but thats all I know.

Does Cakewalk have a decibel meter in there somewhere that I'm missing?
I have Home Studio XL

thanks
 
Man, it's not Cakewalk fault to hurt your ears. You should aware to listen in friendly loudnes. (+3dB Reference Level was being suggested to allow easier analysis of lower powered systems). If you ask does Cakewalk have a decibel meter in there somewhere, then it's there. The input / output monitoring led that jumps up and down green, yellow and red on measure of dB's is Cakewalk's decible meter. It won't mean a thing to your ears if you turn your amp/headphone too loud... I dunno if there's any decible meter for headphones.

;)
Jaymz
 
There is no way Cakewalk can tell you the decibel-level reaching your ears. The decibel-level reaching your ears has nothing to do with Cakewalk, it can only tell you how loud tracks are compared to 0 dB (clipping, the digital max).

The decibel-level reaching your ears has to be measured with other equipment, usually not found in the studio. You need something called a "probe" (nice name, innit?), that is a microphone with a tube which you can lay in your ear and a microphone connected to the tube, and the probe has to be connected to a real-time analyzer, like the Brüel & Kjær 2144 Analyzer.

Remember the phones-level is dependant on your amplifier.

:)
 
Or you can buy/rent the Head and Torso Simulator and connect it to the 2144 Analyzer. Just place the headphone on it... :D


(The Head and Torso Simulator is actually very cool! Record with it, and play it back with headphones on. It's like you're actually there if you close your eyes. You need to hear it to know it... I'll see if I can post an example)
 
OK I see

Now that you say it, of course I see now that Cakewalk couldn't have anything to measure whats going into my headphones. (What was I thinking?)
I will follow your lead and look harder for some device that will measure inside the phones
Thanks
 
The easiest is to just use common sence, and not turn it up too much. I think the optimal level for mixing is around 83 dB.

If you want a cheap measurer, there's allways the B&K Pocket Ear. It's one of the coolest audio-gadgets I have! :D
 
Just try mixing with the volume at lower levels... for me I have no choice... either the wife complains and tells me to shut the door... then comes in 5 minutes later to tell me to turn it down even more... or the upstairs neighbours (my parents) will come down and tell me to turn it down.

Mind you, in saying that I like to liten to the mixes at a higher volume then re mix if required ever now and then.

Porter
 
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