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Old 02-04-2004, 08:36 AM
where02190 where02190 is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Ma USA
Posts: 8,145
Default Re: Output levels low

Using a master fader when you bounce and Mastering are two entirely different things. Slamming the master fader up is not how you master. Nominal BTD levels should be in teh -18dbfs range for an 001 and M-box, -14dbfs for an 002. this allows for adequate transient headroom and leaved dynamic room for the mastering engineer to work. If your bounced track is slammed to or near 0dbfs, you've left the mastering engineer little to no dynamic headroom to work with.

My recommendation is to put the master fader at 0, and adjsut your track levels accordingly. this ensures you do not overdrive the mix buss. If you plan on having your mix mastered professionsally do not use any plugins (particularly compression/limiting) on the master fader. If you do use any master fader plugins, remember, unlike audio track and auz plugins, master fader plugins are post fader.

Mastering is the final process done to the bounced file. It is a 3 stage process, and you cannot skip one, track, mix, then master. while mastering can be done with relatively deceent results with PTle and some good plugins, it is best left to a mastering engineer with the proper tools and knowhow.
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