Qusetion about Mix Levels

  • Thread starter Thread starter SwurVe
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SwurVe

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When I mix do I want to mix at a full loud sound and then mixdown to one big file and then put the levels at -4 to -6db to give room...or do I want to turn the beat and vocals down when mixing so while I am mixing it plays at -4 to -6db...cause i tried the 2nd option and yes it is quieter.......when i go to file ? mixdown to file the mixdown peaks about about -4db...but then i dont know if i got my vocals loud enough....so do I want to then just go back and turn the vocals up a bit...

i guess if that was confusing my main question is while mixing do i want it playing at peak around -4 or -6 or do i have it play loud how it would be...and then after mixing to one file NORMALIZE it down to about peaking at -4.....

cause i know i have to guess then...because once i added vocals over the beat....the peak went to about -3...so i had to turn my vocals down and stuff
 
or do i just need to turn my speakers up louder then normal then?
 
I'm not sure what you're asking about -- recording level of your songs has nothing to do with the listening level of your speakers! They're two separate things and you don't use one to control the other......
 
Sorry for confusion...

Im talking about when I am done recording. Do I want to mix at normal levels like maybe -2 or -1 and then mix my vocals and beats and overdubs together as one file and then normalize to -4 to -5......

But what ive been doing is I am mixing at about -4 already. I just turn my spekaers up louder to listen......

My question is does it matter what level its at before mixdown? or should i still have it all at low levels during mixing
 
I keep my listening levels at about 85dB for mixing.... (but I also vary it from time to time)

Varying the monitoring levels allows you to check the mix balance at different stages, since different things jump out at different volumes. You want a mix that balances naturally at all volumes -- consider also that at low volume, ear response to bass and treble drops, so it's natural for a mix to sound bass-light at lower volume. Consequently if you mix at too low a volume, you may over-exaggerate the low-end to compensate.

At higher listening levels, the ear responds differently again, usually with respsect to the mid-range, so monitoring at too high a volume not only damages the ear, but also skews what you're hearing, possibly causing you to mis-balance your mix.

This is why the 80-87dB range (varies from person to person - the 85dB amrk is an average value) is often used as a monitor level, since it's generally the range where the ear's response is the most even.
 
So I should still mix at -4 to -6 but just turn my speakers up louder when listening to it?
 
If you plan to have it mastered, then peak levels of -4 or -6 are ok. Just turn up your monitors until you get a good level for monitoring.
 
After mixing, do not knock the level back down to -6. There is no point in doing that. Mix so the levels come out correct in the first place.
 
Chibi Nappa said:
After mixing, do not knock the level back down to -6. There is no point in doing that. Mix so the levels come out correct in the first place.
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