Doctor Varney
Cave dwelling Luddite
The stereo line level inputs of my (physical) mixer each feature a level switch, which toggles between +4 and -10. My computer's PCI L/R out is connected to this.
I output my mix using a VST limiter (or multi-band compressor with the limiter switch on) which lies after EQ and other effects. My speech usually averages -6 and, at the highest points, just slaps the bottom of zero dB on my software's peak meter.
My question is, which of these level options on my mixer gives the truest account of the level coming from the DAW? I use a separate amplifier and passive speakers to monitor on. Thus the volume hitting my ears is dependent on a mixture of sliders on my mixer and the volume knob on my amplifier. Then, to further complicate things, I have this line-level toggle switch on the mixer's input, which lets me choose between +4 and -10.
I normally have the strip's DAW input slider up all the way to zero and my amplifier set to about a quarter, then use the 'main mix' dual sliders to set a comfortable listening volume. Or set the 'main mix' to zero (100%), then use the volume on the amplifer to taste. This seems a bit random. I'm trying to get an idea of what I should be aiming for so that when my material ends up on a person's stereo or ipod or whatever, it will be at a 'standard' sort of volume.
I'd be really grateful if anyone could give me some advice on this.
Thanks.
PS
I like to mix with a compressor/ limiter in place, so I can hear what it will sound like when the mix goes to final render but I do a lot of preliminary mixing with it on bypass. I do not use compression on the way in, but record everything raw, except for the 'Condenser' mic simulation setting on the Fostex MR-8 recorder during voice recording and afterwards a simple mastering preset to beef things up a bit, before sending it to the DAW for editing... which makes the initial recording sound great. All other effects, including final compression, is applied afterwards in the computer.
I output my mix using a VST limiter (or multi-band compressor with the limiter switch on) which lies after EQ and other effects. My speech usually averages -6 and, at the highest points, just slaps the bottom of zero dB on my software's peak meter.
My question is, which of these level options on my mixer gives the truest account of the level coming from the DAW? I use a separate amplifier and passive speakers to monitor on. Thus the volume hitting my ears is dependent on a mixture of sliders on my mixer and the volume knob on my amplifier. Then, to further complicate things, I have this line-level toggle switch on the mixer's input, which lets me choose between +4 and -10.
I normally have the strip's DAW input slider up all the way to zero and my amplifier set to about a quarter, then use the 'main mix' dual sliders to set a comfortable listening volume. Or set the 'main mix' to zero (100%), then use the volume on the amplifer to taste. This seems a bit random. I'm trying to get an idea of what I should be aiming for so that when my material ends up on a person's stereo or ipod or whatever, it will be at a 'standard' sort of volume.
I'd be really grateful if anyone could give me some advice on this.
Thanks.
PS
I like to mix with a compressor/ limiter in place, so I can hear what it will sound like when the mix goes to final render but I do a lot of preliminary mixing with it on bypass. I do not use compression on the way in, but record everything raw, except for the 'Condenser' mic simulation setting on the Fostex MR-8 recorder during voice recording and afterwards a simple mastering preset to beef things up a bit, before sending it to the DAW for editing... which makes the initial recording sound great. All other effects, including final compression, is applied afterwards in the computer.
Last edited: