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Monitor Levels and your Hearing [good read, short]
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View this Thread in Original format
| CReddick |
http://blog.discmakers.com/2009/08/...d-your-hearing/
All, I thought you guys may find this small article somewhat interesting. Ignore that its posted on the DiscMakers site.. the content is valid.
I've worked with a few people in the studio who monitor WAY too loud... I'm glad I've got some info to back me up when I complain to turn it down!
Do any of you guys keep tabs on your mixing levels? I might go snag an SPL meter for s and gigs. |
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| johncannons1 |
| IS it possible to get a program that monitors what the db is heading to your speakers To ur speakers or something similar? |
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| CReddick |
| quote: | Originally posted by johncannons1
IS it possible to get a program that monitors what the db is heading to your speakers To ur speakers or something similar? |
How would the software know how loud the speakers are set once the audio left your computer? And wouldn't every amp / speaker vary in volume (let alone where your amp volume knob is set)?
That doesn't seem feasible. |
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| johncannons1 |
whati was thinking is that there may be a way to read the output from my firebox. like how much its sending to the speakers?
dunno if its possible but i want one,, lol
:whip: |
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| CReddick |
| quote: | Originally posted by johncannons1
whati was thinking is that there may be a way to read the output from my firebox. like how much its sending to the speakers?
dunno if its possible but i want one,, lol
:whip: |
yeah... no. again, you could measure that level, but it isn't translatable to SPL. That's like asking "hey, how many SPL does that audio CD put out?" it doesn't. the audio playback system you play it through does. |
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| DJ RANN |
Mr. Reddick is exactly right about the fact that all you can measure from your computer is DBFS, not DBSPL because that relies on amplification after the the DAC. You should read up on calibrating your monitors. Read my thread on on DBFS and calibration - if you calibrate your monitors to the K system, your ears will be hurting real bad before you get to peak so it has a built in protection.
Here it is:
http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...48&pagenumber=1
Well, there are programs that can measure the output from your speakers but they rely on a mic being setup to capture the output of the speaker (room analysis).
@Chris - you avatar cracks me up. Absolute classic. |
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| johncannons1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ RANN
Mr. Reddick is exactly right about the fact that all you can measure from your computer is DBFS, not DBSPL because that relies on amplification after the the DAC. You should read up on calibrating your monitors. Read my thread on on DBFS and calibration - if you calibrate your monitors to the K system, your ears will be hurting real bad before you get to peak so it has a built in protection.
Here it is:
http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...48&pagenumber=1
Well, there are programs that can measure the output from your speakers but they rely on a mic being setup to capture the output of the speaker (room analysis).
@Chris - you avatar cracks me up. Absolute classic. |
cheers buddy :)
ill take a look. i didnt think it was. i just thought maybe lol.
ill take a look at your thread.. |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by johncannons1
cheers buddy :)
ill take a look. i didnt think it was. i just thought maybe lol.
ill take a look at your thread.. |
Welcome mate! :) Lower down in that thread is the full explanation of how to calibrate - it doesn't just save your ears but can greatly improve the quality of your mixing. Anyone with even slightly decent monitors should do it, but I never ceases to amaze me how many pro studios forget to do it. |
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| Kismet7 |
| Pretty much all my production and mixing is done at very low monitoring levels. It allows me to stay focused and allow ideas to flow freely. Monitoring at high volumes gets in the way of ideas and the conscience, especially when trying to make something deep or with intricate detail work. Not to mention mixing at low volumes is better on the ears, which should be well taken care of so you can pick up on emotion and mood properly. Of the many hours or days spent working on a piece, I do spend maybe 5-10 minutes of monitoring at higher levels when the track is just about finished, but definatlely a majority of the creative and mixing process is done at low volumes. |
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| Fledz |
I run my monitors (Dynaudio BM5a) at -4b setting at about quarter volume on my audio interface, so quite low actually but loud enough to get a good sound.
I may occasionally raise the -4db setting back to 0db adjustment on the back when finishing up a track but rarely do I need it that much louder.
I find it prevents ear fatigue and just generally annoys other people less :p |
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| Acton |
| quote: | Originally posted by johncannons1
IS it possible to get a program that monitors what the db is heading to your speakers To ur speakers or something similar? |
Sounds like what you would find handy is an external decibel monitor, quite a few producers use them and a sensible idea in my opinion.
Just stick it on your studio desk and well, monitor. |
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| Energy_3 |
So that does generally mean that what sounds good at lower levels should sound good at a higher level of Db? Arguably some sounds would sound there fullest until they reach a certain range
just a thought, so would you need to find the average Db range between the nature of audible frequencies to get the best possible sound out - if that makes sense |
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