Volumes when Mixing

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The Beat Keeper
Member Since: Dec 16, 2004

I know ive come across somewhere (dont know if it was here or not) what the best volumes for recording kicks and snares were. Just how much head room should i have? I always thought i wanted it as close to -0 as possible. Later then finding out i would need room for compression and effects and things of that sort. Im using one shot samples sampled from records.

Thanks

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Dec 20, 2006 08:03 pm

Try not to go over -.3 (or -.03 I forget) due to some weirdities with some older CD players...some will clip over that level. Some past member mentioned that, then I actually dealt with it...

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Dec 20, 2006 10:22 pm

Yep, dB has it spot on. -3db is about the top. I have burned to 0 and indeed some older player don't like it.

As for headroom in the digital realm. Yes indeed you still need headroom. Even though it is digital it still adds gain in most cases. Some DSP are running comensation, most are not. Sonar does have the ability to do it. But I always allow for lots of headroom. I generally shoot for -6db and no greater then -3db. This allows for processing error and it gives you less crap to deal with when sending multiple tracks through multiple busses.

The Beat Keeper
Member
Since: Dec 16, 2004

Dec 20, 2006 11:02 pm

Thanks guys. Im using pro-tools. I can set the volume and it reads -12 (whatever), it doesnt tell me what db it is coming in. How would i go about figuring out if the signal is at -3db or -6?

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Dec 20, 2006 11:37 pm

If you can see -12 then just above that will be -6. Your meters should be able to be set to a resolution that will show 0db at the top. Anything over that will be red. Usually the meter's on most apps will be set to hit the yellow around -6db and then stay yellow untill they peak over 0db and that will go red. If PT can't allow adjustment to view the scale to show -3 then try to keep the meters in the middle of the yellow or just hitting the yellow. that should be pretty close and give you plenty of head room.

The Beat Keeper
Member
Since: Dec 16, 2004

Dec 20, 2006 11:46 pm

alright cool. Thank you very much!!!!!

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