Db Volume Mixing
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Posted on Jun 05, 2010 08:04 pm
pipedreams
Marijuana Czar
Member Since: Oct 01, 2009
I know I've seen this somewhere on this website but I can't find it :@:
I'm looking for a general guideline for what Db each channel of my mix should be.
I recall someone saying they should all be the same db before hitting the master channel, but i also remember someone saying that i shouldnt let any channel pass a certain amounnt n sadhgf im lost man.
is there some guide with like -6db for guitars, -2 for vocals ect?,
coz ive always mixed really close to 0db but ive been told that i can record guitars at like -10db when ive been doin em at like -4
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Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Jun 05, 2010 09:27 pm there's alot of different ideas man really, some say keep your input vol @ -18.86db some say -10db, i dont even bother while im writing and mocking up songs till im gonna record properly.
I think if you can keep your signal from doing any major jumping up and down then maybe -10db could be good.
alot swear by -18.86 if your using digital recording methods which you are.
MM, is the guru for this kinda stuff, he might stop by here and give you the heads up mate.
The main thing is you dont wanna record too hot. you dont wanna be getting too close to digi clipping.
Makes it impossible for the Masterer to do his thing.
Jun 05, 2010 11:20 pm Just don't clip the main buss. If you're near clipping, grab all the faders and bring them down.
Each channel needs to be where it needs to be. Some will probably peak as high as -10dBFS, others will peak as low as -40dBFS (depending on the style of music - Some will peak much, much lower).
As much as tracking levels and mixing levels *should* be similar, they're often not related (as so many tend to track way too hot).
Me? I start with the kick around -12dBFS (which is around unity if I tracked it) and go from there.
"ish."
Sep 14, 2010 08:30 pm @massive master
Sorry, I have heard you use the term "unity gain" multiple times.
what precisely is unity gain?
Sep 14, 2010 09:26 pm 0dB change -- In = out.
"0" on a fader (a.k.a. "+/-0") is unity gain.
Sep 15, 2010 06:21 am the term unity gain is quite well explained in the mackie user manuals - there is a difference to several boards/mixers/equipment using a 4db level.
not all equipment is using that gain definition and working on "unity gain".
actually - your mixer is changing the voltage not the db.
db is a measurement for audio energy and soundpressure.
the sound pressure level that your ears can hear are measured in gauges (logarhythm), means depending on the smallest and the highest soundpressure the human ear can listen to.
the usual recording environment (studio recording room) will give you a background level of average 40db which is measured by your ears as silence. the maximum pressure by a big orchestra is around 100db.
the difference (60db) is the span the human ear will notice as nice to listen and comfortable sound. it would be quite useful to have equipment with the dynamic range to reproduce this span. most of the daw nowadays already have lots more.
if you change the volume by 1 db you can hardly notice that, whereas 10db more will give you the impression of double volume.
add two of the same db level (sound source two washing machines) of 50db and the result is a total of 53db.
actually for your mixing is says nothing how much or less db you have in each track. it just says how much headroom and leak from the room background noise is coming in as well - but the more the better in analog and better less gain in digital recordings.
0 (zero) db means its the end of the line level until distortion or other limitations start to disturb the audible and technical equipment.
hope that explains a little bit about decibel.
jp
