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

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Phil

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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!

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Analogue Mastering
Esoteric sound for the discerning ear

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.

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cit. "Back then people danced to a dj set. Nowdays they are recording it with their smart phones."

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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

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Analogue Mastering
Esoteric sound for the discerning ear

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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.

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ALFI - BOHICA - DJ MIX (Stream+Dropbox)

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

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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.

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If less is more think about how much more more would be. -Frasier

Thanks a lot guys!

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?

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!

im sorry but what do you mean by UNITY?

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.