Whats up with this?

[bdam123]

So for the last few demos I have completed, I've bounced the two track so that it peaks somewhere between -6db and -3 db. I then bring that into a new session, add some EQ to brighten things up a little and hit it with the L2. So far my results are sounding good and I get them at about -14db which is loud enough for me.

Today I proceded to do the same thing with my latest project but when I load the L2 in I have to slam it to even get it to -20db. Any further than that it it starts to distort. I'm doing everything the same. Whats up with this? I tried going back to the mix and adjusting things and even bouncing it at a lower db but nothing is helping. All I want to do it get it as loud as the rest of my tracks.

Any suggestions?

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Skip the numbers; what do your ears tell you?

Different songs have different "density" to them (how full or busy the mix is, how different a crest factor they have, etc.). In such cases the same RMS number does not necessarily mean the same apparent volume. You can have one song at -x dBRMS and another at -y dBRMS and still have them apparently match or at least go together in perceived volume. Master them to sound like they go together; the numbers are only incidental statistics.

G.

 

[bdam123]

Nice. I was totally frustrated for a second. I was definitely relying on the meter. I guess I'll just get it to sound good and A/B to see if I need a little more volume. Thanks.

 

[joeym]

you're bouncing loud and "mastering" lower???
I thought it should be the other way round.......

 

[ds21]

you're bouncing loud and "mastering" lower???
I thought it should be the other way round.......

notice he said peaks

 

[bjorg]

Skip the numbers; what do your ears tell you?

Different songs have different "density" to them (how full or busy the mix is, how different a crest factor they have, etc.). In such cases the same RMS number does not necessarily mean the same apparent volume. You can have one song at -x dBRMS and another at -y dBRMS and still have them apparently match or at least go together in perceived volume. Master them to sound like they go together; the numbers are only incidental statistics.

G.

+100000000 Thanks.

 

[masteringhouse]

Yep, density, frequency characteristics, and the amount of transients all help to determine perceived volume. Rather than looking at the meters use a good monitor controller which allows you to switch between a known track and one that you're working with assuming that they are intended to be at the same perceived volume.

 

[Chili]

Different songs have different "density" to them...

Yep, density, frequency characteristics, and the amount of transients ...

Yeah, "Density" is a great way to describe what RMS is lacking. Now if we can only quantify it.... imagine the plug-ins.