making the mix -6 db for headroom

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-- making the mix -6 db for headroom

Posted by Newty on Dec-22-2013 09:18:

making the mix -6 db for headroom

Is the idea of starting my project with the master at -6db a good one?

i figure if my mix sounds good at that level it will sound good after im done when i put it back up? LMK, thanks.

Posted by SystematicX1 on Dec-22-2013 10:47:

These guys on here will give you a LOT more detailed info,however..
I started a thread not to long ago about mixing as you go or mix down.
You might find something in this
http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...s=#.UrbDSLSQPp4

Posted by Raphie on Dec-22-2013 12:13:

you should NEVER touch your master, you master @ UNITY gain gives you maximum headroom and S/N ratio you don't want to limit that.

Why not just setup a mix without clipping the master @ unity gain.
If you find it starts clipping, just select all your channels and pull them down, but leave the master on UNITY

mix with the master on unity and aim for around -14dBFS loudness, peaking below 0dB and you're in good shape. if oyu find certain instruments make the mix clip, just lower them or peak limit them on the individual channel.

Also try to mix WITHOUT anything on the master (compressors,limiters EQ, Nicerizers, clippers, fatomaters whatever) do yourself a favour and keep the master inserts EMPTY. fatten the channels you like fattening instead, but the master is your compass while mixing, don't tamper with it. EVER!

Posted by TranceElevation on Dec-22-2013 12:49:

quote:
Originally posted by Raphie
you should NEVER touch your master, you master @ UNITY gain gives you maximum headroom and S/N ratio you don't want to limit that.

Why not just setup a mix without clipping the master @ unity gain.
If you find it starts clipping, just select all your channels and pull them down, but leave the master on UNITY

mix with the master on unity and aim for around -14dBFS loudness, peaking below 0dB and you're in good shape. if oyu find certain instruments make the mix clip, just lower them or peak limit them on the individual channel.

Also try to mix WITHOUT anything on the master (compressors,limiters EQ, Nicerizers, clippers, fatomaters whatever) do yourself a favour and keep the master inserts EMPTY. fatten the channels you like fattening instead, but the master is your compass while mixing, don't tamper with it. EVER!

I find this rules pathetic.

Posted by Raphie on Dec-22-2013 13:08:

quote:
Originally posted by TranceElevation
I find this rules pathetic.
That's fine, it a free world... they are not rules, they are best practises, bit of a nuance.

This means that if you get better results doing it differently, then you're totally free to do so.

Whatever gets you there. As long a you are happy with your results. But by the time you start asking yourself, why your mixes don't sound as clear and dynamic as some tracks you might be benchmarking against, then think back of these "pathetic" best practises

Posted by itsamemario on Dec-22-2013 13:48:

Re: making the mix -6 db for headroom

quote:
Originally posted by Newty
Is the idea of starting my project with the master at -6db a good one?

i figure if my mix sounds good at that level it will sound good after im done when i put it back up? LMK, thanks.

That means if you mean lowering the master fader 6db, which is a bad idea, or if you mean to mix you so the peaks hit about -6db on the master level, which is a good idea.

Posted by evo8 on Dec-22-2013 13:51:

Leave the master fader at 0, lower your mixer channels instead

Posted by Storyteller on Dec-22-2013 14:13:

I agree with Raphie mostly but there are some reasons why I can think one would deviate from them. If certain elements of the mix interact with eachother changing, re-mixing the entire track is just a pain. If it sounds spot on but is just a bit too loud, just lower that master fader.

S/N ratio when changing the master fader position is really a non-issue in the 32/64bit digital domain (granted your entire production is kept it inside the box).

Most effects shouldn't be used on the master bus imo, except for creative use only. Then again, I don't follow any of the guidelines I'm talking about, probably one of the many reasons why my mixes sound shit the past few years hehe.

Posted by Newty on Dec-22-2013 16:51:

Thanks a lot guys!

Posted by Newty on Dec-22-2013 17:25:

Re: Re: making the mix -6 db for headroom

quote:
Originally posted by itsamemario
That means if you mean lowering the master fader 6db, which is a bad idea, or if you mean to mix you so the peaks hit about -6db on the master level, which is a good idea.

yea, not lower the master in the mixer, but lower the master volume of the DAW?

Posted by Newty on Dec-22-2013 17:51:

Posted by Zak McKracken on Dec-22-2013 19:03:

lower your instruments and just watch the master level METER, not the actual fader lol. the METER should not go above -6dB, the rest is completely unimportant. in digital domain that is.

Posted by Raphie on Dec-22-2013 19:21:

quote:
Originally posted by Newty
im sorry but what do you mean by UNITY?

You can lower or raise your fader right? the default 0dB (where you also get back to when you CRTL + Click the fader) is what one calls "unity"

Posted by Newty on Dec-22-2013 19:41:

quote:
Originally posted by Raphie
You can lower or raise your fader right? the default 0dB (where you also get back to when you CRTL + Click the fader) is what one calls "unity"

ok thank you for your time, the reason i posted this thread is because i find it to loud for my ears when im producing and if i turn down the volume of the pc i lose information. i produce with headphones wich obv dosnt have a volume knob. Any solution?

Posted by DJ RANN on Dec-22-2013 21:29:

Soundcard with a headphone volume control or headphone amp.

Posted by Newty on Dec-22-2013 21:39:

quote:
Originally posted by DJ RANN
Soundcard with a headphone volume control or headphone amp.

thanks Rann! any idea on a good soundcard with those features that also helps with latency? (reasonable price)