May 20, 2008 12:40 pm Usually about -.03dB is the recommended max.
At what level should a finished song be mastered to?
Posted on May 19, 2008 06:43 pm
Zeek
Member Since: Jan 08, 2008
I use wavelab to master my songs after I mix them down in protools. The main level meter in wavelab extends all the way to +6. My question is should I pull the levels all the way up to +6(clip), or should I stop at 0db. I know there are some seasoned wavelab users in this community, if anyone can help it would be much appreciated. Thanks.
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May 20, 2008 12:58 pm I always max out at -.03dB as well.
May 20, 2008 05:42 pm Same... and by that I mean the max with just a few peaks hitting it. My mixes tend to be a couple dB quiter than the average mix as I am forcing myself to quit overlimiting so damn much to conform with modern day technique.
With some bands they want and demand it, that is fine by me. For my personal mixes I like a little room for the song to breath.
May 20, 2008 06:02 pm i like mine commercial level loud....
May 20, 2008 06:09 pm If mixed well, I think a song can have room to breath and be darn near commercial loud. I am working with a heavier band right now and it sounds fantastic so far, alas I know they will want me to crank it in the end.
I have not posted a song in some time (they aren't mine) but I am gonna ask these guys to let me use one for my portfolio and to let you all listen if it comes out as good as I think it will.
I can do a ninja face too...
p.s. Actually with the hip hop, I would want it commercial level also. It seems to work with certain types of music better for sure. Acoustic stuff not so much imo.
May 20, 2008 06:24 pm Agreed, it definitely needs to be mixed well. And I haven't worked much with accoustic material, but it makes sense that it would fare better if not pushed all the way, just for the sake of pushing. Even country, I listen to quite a bit, and I feel that its being pushed too far on commercial radio, and even at the CMA's the other night.
Actually, side note, i've been hearing more and more poorly mixed music played on the radio as of late. I'm baffled by this trend. You would think these artists with the big advances could pay someone to get it right.
...ninja face on! You can't tell I'm smiling underneath...
May 21, 2008 06:20 am [quote]CptTripps
If mixed well, I think a song can have room to breath and be darn near commercial loud[/quote]
Yep. I find my track need less and less limiting as time goes on. The lastest needed very little. Just for some high end peeks.
Distorted electric is less dynamic so not as many peaks as Acoustic.
I use Cool edit. I stick to 0db max, RMS 11.
May 21, 2008 12:42 pm I want to thank everyone for their feedback, your responses were really helpful. I kind of figured it was 0db, but I was looking for verification. Once again thank you all.
May 21, 2008 02:10 pm Quote:
i've been hearing more and more poorly mixed music played on the radio as of late. I'm baffled by this trend
I think the answer to this is no one has money for proper productions anymore.
May 21, 2008 02:14 pm ...or that they no the average kid that buys CD's doesn't care, or know the difference...so why spend the money.
May 21, 2008 04:26 pm yeah close to 0dbfs for peaks, and i try to keep 'loud' parts around -12db RMS there's better meters in wavelab if you pull 'em up from the menu. RMS is more of a 'loudness' reading than peak.
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