Volume while mixing question

  • Thread starter Thread starter ez_willis
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ez_willis

ez_willis

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I was curious about different peoples modus operandi, or standard operating procedure regarding monitoring levels while mixing. Do you keep it cranked throughout the procces or quiet until it's somewhat balanced, then crank it, etc... Does the particular instrument that you're mixing factor in to it?
 
When making tone and mix decisions, I have it at about 80db or so. That is medium loud. Once I have dialed in the sound (while tracking) I turn it down so I don't roast my ears.
During mixing, I check it at all different levels to make sure everything is cool. Certain things jump out at high volumes and other things jump out at low volumes.
 
I have no set levels that I gauge my mixes on.
Along with using 3 diff prs of monitors (Reveals,20-20's & Proto J's) my monitoring/judging also includes 1 pr of AudioTek DJ spkrs w 12" woofer and horns, 1 pr of GemSound loudspkrs w 8" spkrs & 2 piezos (both units are made in Bklyn N.Y.) a pr of JBL P.A. cabs with baffled horns and 10" spkrs, 1 Akai 10" 160-watt subwoofer and 5.1 RCA surround-sd system .
Audio powered by a Crown, QSC, Lineartech pwr amps and a Marantz reciever.

My goal is for my mixes to sound the same on every sound format I got hooked up in my basement stoo-dee-o!



So far, no luck in doing so!! :(
 
I will try to track at medium volume levels, and will mix from soft to loud while I check what's what. I save the eardrums bleeding playbacks for the band... usually I go out for a smoke to spare my ears the damage.

Since I started working at a new studio I've had to retrain my ears big time from what I was used to.
 
I need to get into this forum more often, now that I have a semi-clue as to what I am doing. This is where all the good advice is...
 
I generally work at around 85dB, but like Farview - jump the levels around in the latter stages of mixing to hear what jumps out at different volumes.......
 
Farview said:
When making tone and mix decisions, I have it at about 80db or so.
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Blue Bear Sound said:
I generally work at around 85dB.
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Thanks for everyones responses so far! This might be a dumb question, but I'm curious, do you guys use an instrument or gauge that measures db's, or are you kinda going off experience? If you do use a gauge, do you feel it's an integral part of your studio?
 
ez_willis said:
Thanks for everyones responses so far! This might be a dumb question, but I'm curious, do you guys use an instrument or gauge that measures db's, or are you kinda going off experience? If you do use a gauge, do you feel it's an integral part of your studio?
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I kinda want to know that too... for when my studio is built. I've heard some mention of dbu meters and the like. Is that what you use?
 
I do have a meter, just a Radio shack one. I don't calibrate my mix session or anything like that, but I know about what 80db sounds like now. Every once in a while I take out the meter and check myself.
 
Farview said:
I do have a meter, just a Radio shack one. I don't calibrate my mix session or anything like that, but I know about what 80db sounds like now. Every once in a while I take out the meter and check myself.
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It's on my list of accessories now... Thanks Farview!
 
Generally I set it pretty darn loud when mixing my drums, turn it down a bunch for everything else, and then when it is "final check" time one of the checks I do is to crank it back up and listen from 2 or 3 rooms away (you'd be amazed at what that reveals).
 
Chibi Nappa said:
Generally I set it pretty darn loud when mixing my drums, turn it down a bunch for everything else, and then when it is "final check" time one of the checks I do is to crank it back up and listen from 2 or 3 rooms away (you'd be amazed at what that reveals).
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Holy cow! I've done that! Not on purpose though... :o

I was mixing down one of my songs, and mother nature called, so I left it running and went and did my thing. I could hear one of my vocal harmonies was off key!

It works!!!! :D
 
I agree w/ Farview and Bruce in regards to listening at all levels. The ear is not a linear "device" and will hear frequencies differently based on volume (search for info on Fletcher/Munson curves). As a result the mix might be a bit low and high end deficient at lower volumes and the mix around the mid frequencies will stand out more than when listening at volumes around 85 db (where the ear is generally the most "flat").

Likewise Chibi's suggestion is great since walls and distance will attenuate higher frequencies. I usually listen in other rooms to check out the bottom end of a mix.
 
ez_willis said:
This might be a dumb question, but I'm curious, do you guys use an instrument or gauge that measures db's, or are you kinda going off experience? If you do use a gauge, do you feel it's an integral part of your studio?
Click to expand...
I use the SPL meter built-in to my Spectrum Analyzer (Klark-Teknik DN60).... Is it integral? Probably not, since the ears should be doing most of the work, but it is nice to have that kind of stuff around!
 
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Blue Bear Sound said:
When someone asks a question, 90% of the time, they already know the answer to it...
...think about that before posting your next question!
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Wish I knew this before...Genius!!!
 
no one has mentioned turning down your mix to just over 0 and listening for any peaking tracks, when you turn your final edits and mix down really low and make your room nice and quite you can listen close and see what the LAST thing you hear is when you turn it way down, that way you can tell if your vocals are blaring in an area or if the kick is too loud. Its just a good trick to be added to the list.
 
Agreed, get a ratshack SPL if need be-about 30 smackers. After a while you will know approximately where on the monitor knob is set at to get around 80-85db.
Another cool trick is to open the CR door and listen from just outside. Good for when you have a LF translation problem.

Q you need on more speaker to check out the mix no? Sure do have alot of em. ;)
 
My SPL meter has made the largest improvement in my recordings or should i say my mixes.

Its amazing how spending the time to repositioning your monitors wit han SPL meter to get them flat can really make a giant improvement on your mixes. if anything its made mixing so much more enjoyable.
 
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