Help with Headroom for Mastering - Please!

[DonaldM]

Originally Posted by lowthert

Thanks guys - all great advice and learnings for for me. I bought the Klanghelm and spent the time, remixed the track to ensure -10 on the master bus and the whole thing sounds much better...

I learnt a lot yesterday - a good day! Now for the other 13 tracks...

Thanks all.

This video does a pretty good job of explaining how to use VCA groups with volume automation. This technique is probably the best approach. Set up VCA groups for different parts (ie drums, guitars, vocals, etc) and then you can control overall volumes with the VCA faders without worrying about the automations you've already set individual tracks.

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by musicman691

Why not try a trim plug on the tracks so you don't mess with the faders?

This is my trick as well. Actually, all my session templates and track presets have the TRIM plugin in the last slot(in bypass) and dialed to -10(only on AUDIO and Instrument tracks). Once tracking is finished, I un-bypass the row of plugins and the entire mix drops in level, but the balance stays the same.

[DonaldM]

Originally Posted by albee1952

This is my trick as well. Actually, all my session templates and track presets have the TRIM plugin in the last slot(in bypass) and dialed to -10(only on AUDIO and Instrument tracks). Once tracking is finished, I un-bypass the row of plugins and the entire mix drops in level, but the balance stays the same.

Interesting approach. So, when you prep a mix for mastering, what is your target level? If you set all the Trim plugs to -10, what level do you aim for prior to un-bypassing all the Trims? What meter do you prefer to use for all that?

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by DonaldM

Interesting approach. So, when you prep a mix for mastering, what is your target level? If you set all the Trim plugs to -10, what level do you aim for prior to un-bypassing all the Trims? What meter do you prefer to use for all that?

Without the TRIM's in play, my master tends to bump -0 or hit the red(sessions average 40-50 tracks). I aim for peaks at -6 with no plugins on the master(I might use the Waves SSL Buss compressor(or Slate Grey VBC), but only 2:1 and barely bumping the needle for GR). I also have FabFilter ProQ 2 on the master(I like the spectral display and the hi-res output metering). No EQ is in play other than a Lo Cut around 27Hz.

If I must master the project myself, I start as above but add Slate VTM, followed by either 2 instances of Waves L2, or iZotope Ozone 8

[DonaldM]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Without the TRIM's in play, my master tends to bump -0 or hit the red(sessions average 40-50 tracks). I aim for peaks at -6 with no plugins on the master(I might use the Waves SSL Buss compressor(or Slate Grey VBC), but only 2:1 and barely bumping the needle for GR). I also have FabFilter ProQ 2 on the master(I like the spectral display and the hi-res output metering). No EQ is in play other than a Lo Cut around 27Hz.

If I must master the project myself, I start as above but add Slate VTM, followed by either 2 instances of Waves L2, or iZotope Ozone 8

As you are always so fond of saying, the great thing about digital is there's 6 ways to do something; the bad thing about digital, is there's 6 ways to do something! Thanks for sharing your process!