Author Topic: Whats the preferable way to create additional headroom?  (Read 8277 times)

-endjamin-

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Whats the preferable way to create additional headroom?
« on: December 12, 2016, 07:12:05 pm »
I have a mix that I'm pretty happy with in terms of how the instruments relate to each other, and currently have around -3.5db of headroom on the loudest peaks, but I want to try to get that down to around -6 before bouncing the file for mastering. Is there a way to keep the relative levels the same but just pull everything down by 3db, and if so, how can I accomplish this in Ableton?Or is it preferable to go back to the drawing board and start re balancing levels from scratch?

Mussar

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Re: Whats the preferable way to create additional headroom?
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2016, 07:40:29 pm »
If you like the mix, just put a Utility plugin on your master chain and pull down the overall gain until you get to -6.

Also, -6 dB is mostly a relic of pre-digital (and especially pre-32 bit audio) recording and is not really all that necessary now; it's just an arbitrary value. -3 dB is fine, -6 dB is fine, -12 dB is fine... all you're gonna be doing is bringing it back up to 0 anyways, so find the level you get comfortable with. Technically, you can master with sounds hitting Unity gain (0 dB) and have it sound fine - Steve Duda has been quoted as saying his kicks will sit at 0.

That being said, it is also a good habit to try and mix quieter than it is to mix louder. Mixing is about taking away as many frequencies as possible while maintaining the integrity of every sound, and if aiming to have your mix peak at a level below 0 dB helps you to accomplish that goal, do whatever you want! If it's feeling too quiet, you can always increase the output level of your speakers if needed.

-endjamin-

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Re: Whats the preferable way to create additional headroom?
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2016, 03:41:50 am »
Thanks. All these mastering guidelines are probably one of the more confusing parts of producing to me.

vinceasot

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Re: Whats the preferable way to create additional headroom?
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2016, 04:11:55 am »
you're alright, some mastering studios ask for -3db or in between -6db, you can drop by the master and use wavelab audio to check, use wav file 24bit no dither for ableton 

but after that everyone has their own methods of mastering, its a big topic

Marrow Machines

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Re: Whats the preferable way to create additional headroom?
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2016, 05:03:25 am »
make sure you ask the mastering engineering to get their preference.
Josh Huval: Honestly, the guys who are making good art are spending their time making it.

Bugster

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Re: Whats the preferable way to create additional headroom?
« Reply #5 on: December 26, 2016, 08:04:28 am »
If you like the mix, just put a Utility plugin on your master chain and pull down the overall gain until you get to -6.

Also, -6 dB is mostly a relic of pre-digital (and especially pre-32 bit audio) recording and is not really all that necessary now; it's just an arbitrary value. -3 dB is fine, -6 dB is fine, -12 dB is fine... all you're gonna be doing is bringing it back up to 0 anyways, so find the level you get comfortable with. Technically, you can master with sounds hitting Unity gain (0 dB) and have it sound fine - Steve Duda has been quoted as saying his kicks will sit at 0.

That being said, it is also a good habit to try and mix quieter than it is to mix louder. Azmyth Recording is about taking away as many frequencies as possible while maintaining the integrity of every sound, and if aiming to have your mix peak at a level below 0 dB helps you to accomplish that goal, do whatever you want! If it's feeling too quiet, you can always increase the output level of your speakers if needed.

I agree. I would stick with your -3 db mix if you like it.