how can i achieve an rms of 11-9 without distortion

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Member Since: Dec 26, 2007

hi guys. i have checked out a couple of songs in the style of music that i do and most of them are in the rms range of 11-9.

when i try to max the song to reach that, it begins to distort. the best i can get without distorition is 13 and 12

What could i do to enable me achieve that rms range without distortion??

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Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Jun 23, 2008 03:49 pm

I'll suggest forgetting about RMS. Set your meters to register decibels (dB).

Try to get your average level to float around -18 dBFS (decibels full scale) while keeping your peaks under -3 dB or so. For percussion, this is a little harder to achieve, so remember just to keep it down. Most other instruments are easy to keep in this range.

Digital audio has plenty of room. Don't be afraid to let the sound breathe.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jun 23, 2008 09:22 pm

Yep, drop the RMS metering and switch it to the dB scale, it will give a much better representation of what you are doing.

And even with the loudness wars those that max at 0 dB full scale are crushing the life out of their music and it sound terrible. Leave some room and use a maximizer that will limit at -3dB or there abouts and it should be just fine.

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Jun 23, 2008 10:45 pm

-12db rms is the loudest i ever push my mixes, i don't care how 'heavy' the music is, -9 is just overkill.

f'n system of a down is slaming the meters at -9rms and i can't stand it, causes me to turn the volume down.

don't worry about being 'loud'....that's what volume knobs are for.

Member
Since: Dec 26, 2007


Jun 25, 2008 12:26 am

the problem i normally get is that the songs i have that are at an rms of 13-12 sound low as compared to others even when the db meter is at -0.1.

i also wanted to find out what hinders one to get more volume from a song without getting distortion. is it too much lows, mids or what?

Anyone kind to share this info:
- when the submix is exported eg from cubase, at what levels should the db meter be picking at?
- A sample process used at the mastering stage. eg eq,exiter,compressor,analoger then limiter. Anyone just give me the process you use at the mastering stage. i just want to compare notes.


Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jun 25, 2008 08:31 pm

What you really want is a mastering compressor/limiter. That is what most of us use for a final mix.

It will allow you to set a maximum upper limit such as -3dB to avoid clipping and then it pushes the signal up.

As for sounding low, can you give us an idea of exactly what music or song you are comparing it to? That will help immensely.

If you are comparing it to one of the newer over compressed CD's, then you are simply going to have to just turn the compression up to the max and set a limiter to hold the signal at about -1dB or so. That is what they do, crush the life right out of the music so it sound so loud, but in reality it is nothing but sonic mush.

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