Is it loud enough??

[cat-eggs]

hi.

i read somewhere that, generally speaking, monitors should be at about 85 db for mixing. i can't figure out how to tell how loud my monitors are.

i don't have any meters or anything, so how does one set the volume of his monitors pricisely?

thanks,
bradleeeeeeee

 

[eyeslikefire]

Um,... I've never used an SPL meter for my mixes.
Crap! Thats must be why they all sound terrible.......

 

[knightfly]

Both of you do yourselves a great big favor, and go to Rat Shack and ask them to sell you the Analog version of their Sound Level Meter.

It ain't perfect by far, but it's only about $40 as compared to about $1000 for the serious ones, and the main thing is it's reported to be accurate within about 2 dB when compared to the big boys - (up to maybe 4KhZ or less) (Actually, the main thing is that it's REPEATABLE, and that's what you want. The human ear "gets used to" whatever average level of noise is around, so it's NOT reliable as a reference for VOLUME...)

Point is, Bradleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee heard right.

OSHA says you can expose yourself (oooh, fun) to 90 dB for up to 8 hours with no hearing protection without damage.

The Fletcher-Munson curves of human hearing response are the flattest at around 85 dB, "C" weighted.

The more consistent your monitoring levels, the more consistent frequency spread your mixes will have.

Sooo, for least hearing damage, best EQ balance and most consistent mixes, you should monitor at 85 dB, "C" weighted, and MAINTAIN that level as you change various track levels in the mix. That way, you don't automatically think that just because you raised the kick drum 2 dB it's really "better" it's only LOUDER. (Most knowledgeable sound people know this - if you're selling ANY audio component, make the one you want to sell just a tiny bit louder in any A/B test, and that's the one they'll buy)

When I'm mixing, I keep the SLM on and check it after any noticeable "tweak" to the mix - if the level changes from 85, I re-adjust the master back to 85. Works for me... Steve

 

[TexRoadkill]

MAINTAIN that level as you change various track levels in the mix. That way, you don't automatically think that just because you raised the kick drum 2 dB it's really "better" it's only LOUDER. (Most knowledgeable sound people know this - if you're selling ANY audio component, make the one you want to sell just a tiny bit louder in any A/B test, and that's the one they'll buy)

That's how we used to sell the BBE's

I didn't realize the meters were that cheap. I'll have to pick one up next time I'm at the Shack.

 

[eyeslikefire]

(Most knowledgeable sound people know this which means that eyeslikefire doesn't know squat!

Hey Steve! Why are you tring to pick a fight?????

 

[knightfly]

Ain't tryin' ta pick no fight these days man, I'm lucky to have the strength ta pick my nose (been down with pneumonia for the last 2 weeks, feelin' ALMOST good enough to die again)

I shoulda prob'ly phrased that part to read "most really aggressive sound SALES weasels" -

Now, watch Tex gimme crap - oh well, like I said you'd have to work at it to make me feel any worse, give it your best shot :=)

 

[eyeslikefire]

Ain't tryin' ta pick no fight these days man, I'm lucky to have the strength ta pick my nose (been down with pneumonia for the last 2 weeks, feelin' ALMOST good enough to die again)

I shoulda prob'ly phrased that part to read "most really aggressive sound SALES weasels" -

Now, watch Tex gimme crap - oh well, like I said you'd have to work at it to make me feel any worse, give it your best shot :=)

LMAO!!!!
Take care of yourself man.
I was just raggin'

 

[cat-eggs]

knightfly: thanks, that was really helpful. the idea of "maintaining" a consistent playback level never occured to me, and it's probably the most important point.

 

[knightfly]

Eyes, no prob - I saw the 382.5 smilies at the bottom, figured that meant you were laughin out yer ass :=)

Bradleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, you're cookin' now - your already on your way to better mixes.

Later Guise, gotta go pop more pills, hose 'em down with a stiff shot of NyQuil and sack out... Steve