Mixing Volume levels
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Posted on Dec 26, 2007 10:06 am
bahcoach
Member Since: Dec 26, 2007
I am still new at all these and any kind of help will be greatly appreciated.
I just wanted to find out the volume levels that one should use when mixing a song.
My BX8a's have a volume knob behind, my mixer has master volume fader and the sound card has also a volume control.
Should i set the sound card and monitor levels at max then i control the overall output via the mixer or how does one go about it?
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pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Dec 26, 2007 11:55 am Just as a shot in the dark,
i'd first set the B8Xs at around 3/4 throttle.
Then, I'd set the soundcard at around 3/4 throttle.
Then I'd use the mixer master fader to control my volume.
My powered mixers are full on all the time, which seems OK as they're very quiet.
I don't know how much noise comes from the monitors, but I'd run them less than full, unless you knew for sure that the full on power won't be a problem.
Also, not knowing what soundcard you have, driving them full may induce clipping of the DAC circuit. And clipping is something you DON'T want when monitoring.
Plus, this way you can control level with the easiest part of the system, the mixer master fader. Usually it's close, and handy.
In my mind, I wouldn't want any part of the chain to be over 50 or 75%. Could introduce noise.
Welcome to the HRC.
Dec 26, 2007 01:16 pm thanks a bunch pjk.
The sound card is an M-Audio 2496 Audiophile. Mixer is Berhinger Xenyx 1002.
So at 75% on the BX8s and on the Audiophile volume should work just fine?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Dec 26, 2007 10:10 pm Yep, try that first. But you may find you have to turn the Bs8's all the way up and then use the master fader on the mixer or the 2496 to control the final volume to the speakers. I run my amps and audio interface normally at full then control the output with my desk. But you may find that 75% is fine and won't induce any extra noise.
Dec 27, 2007 06:43 am thanx everyone, it has really helped.
DrbaguMember
Since: Jan 27, 2008
Jan 27, 2008 11:19 am I'm pretty much a recording noob, but I think that the half way point on most volume controls (50%)is usually set by companies as a nice comfortable levels. I think most people set mixer levels to roughly '0'
I suppose the level people listen to music in general is good, hi-fi's and stuff tend to add/take away EQ when you change the volume I find.
Mar 11, 2008 03:58 am I dont mix with out a dB meter, the reason for this is that i try to keep a constant level for my mixes, allthough i vary the level very often to check my mix in low and high levels, the other reason i use a dB meter is because i dont want to go over the 83-85 dB range (at least not for a long time) to keep my ears in top shape and to ensure a happy long career in the music industry.
Even the Radio Shack meters work, they are cheap and efficient.
