oh by the way, I will be using sound forge 6.0 to make the mix cd. I'm not going to mix track by track though. I'm just gonna play out straight to to end.

It should (with a capital S) stay under 0dB in the digital domain (in other words : when you look at the levels in your software). This doesn't mean the levels can't go over 0 dB on your mixer (yet you should AVERAGE around 0dB in the analog domain, on the loudest signal). Those meters operate in the analog level and going over 0 dB is not as critical as in the digital domain. Once you hit 0 dBFS (FS= full scale, the decibel scale used in digital recordings) clipping occurs. Clipping is bad (most actual software still use some interpolation algorhythms to minimize the audible distortion, but don't count on it to save your butt).

So how do you make an optimal recording? Play some stuff, and at the loudest parts (let's say when you are in the meat of a tune, or in the mix), try to have at least a 1-2 dB margin (adjust your recording levels either in the recording software, or when that's not possible, in the windows mixers "recording properties"). NEVER hit 0dB.
After the recording is done, you can normalize it all (or if you want the average volume to be louder, use a compressor or maximizer) with a maximum output peak of -0.2 or -0.1 dB
This very little margin is still a remnant of older cd pressing plants, where a certain period of 0dB peaks was considered as an error (and those machines had an error counter that stopped the pressing once x number of errors were reached).

That's what I do too.
I recorded a mix cd to offer my girlfriend on valentine's day and what I did was never reach 0db (-2db tops)and then I normalized and it's great!
Cheers and good luck!

Thank you DJ Thy!

So as long as the software doesnt go over 0 DB it's cool right? But is it ok if I go over 0 DB on my mixer? Also, it is nearly impossible to mix without going over 0 DB.......

Yup I said it's perfectly possible to go over 0 dB on your mixer meters (unless you use a full digital mixer). On the loudest parts of your set you should average around 0 dB. You can occasionally peak at +3 or even +5 dB (all depends how much headroom your mixer has). But try to never KEEP the levels over 0 dB, only short peaks.

As for the fact it's impossible to keep a steady level, that much depends on the style of your mixing. It's perfectly possible to go in the mix without increasing a single notch on the meters.

thank you dj thy

what kind of mixer are you using?

a lot of mixers have the record output, which is a set level that can't be changed

you should use this and keep your gains down, keep in mind you can always make your mix louder after all is said and done, but if you're clipping you can't really fix it since the sound is basically lost

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With digital recording, you want to get a good balance. Record loud enough so that the background level of noise is not clearly audible, but record quietly enough to prevent going over the magic 0dB.

In practice, a couple of peaks going over 0dBFS for a couple of thousandths (1/1000) of a second will not be noticible. Sure, some information will be lost, but so long as it really is only a few peaks you won't tell.

And Dj Thy makes a good point - the volume going over 0dB is due to your style of mixing. It is possible to avoid this!

Thanks for your help guys.

Oh by the way, im using djm-500 mixer

quote:

Originally posted by deejay2002 Thanks for your help guys. Oh by the way, im using djm-500 mixer

try different mxing styles so the volume does not go over 0dB, good luck.

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