Master level question...

[Varela]

Maybe it's an old topic of this but anyway I want to know why my mixes sound at a low level than others... I tried to keep VU without clipping, and sometimes (mostly the Master) I use a Maximizer in track for reference in my master track when I bounce and carry mixes to hear as test in my car and at home. But I noticed than my mixes sound less powered than commercial ones. I am not talking about quality & mastering (that sure in this step you'll get more power), but I became to mistrust in PT VU, in my opinion, not very accurate.
Any tip will be welcome.
Regards

[Emcha_audio]

Originally Posted by Varela

Maybe it's an old topic of this but anyway I want to know why my mixes sound at a low level than others... I tried to keep VU without clipping, and sometimes (mostly the Master) I use a Maximizer in track for reference in my master track when I bounce and carry mixes to hear as test in my car and at home. But I noticed than my mixes sound less powered than commercial ones. I am not talking about quality & mastering (that sure in this step you'll get more power), but I became to mistrust in PT VU, in my opinion, not very accurate.
Any tip will be welcome.
Regards

It is completely professional grade Mastering. A lot of them uses a combination of hardware plus software to get the maximum crush on your mix with the added eq and other effects they think your mix might need to get that last notch before release.

Also a tip, when you mix change the VU metering from pre fader to post fader metering, this way you will actually know what's going on in your mix. While mixing click on your option menu, and un-check the pre fader metering. This will now return the true value of the signal that is being sent to your master fader.

Here's a small video

http://therecordingrevolution.com/ta...ader-metering/

[dave911]

Originally Posted by Emcha_audio

It is completely professional grade Mastering. A lot of them uses a combination of hardware plus software to get the maximum crush on your mix with the added eq and other effects they think your mix might need to get that last notch before release.

Also a tip, when you mix change the VU metering from pre fader to post fader metering, this way you will actually know what's going on in your mix. While mixing click on your option menu, and un-check the pre fader metering. This will now return the true value of the signal that is being sent to your master fader.

Here's a small video

http://therecordingrevolution.com/ta...ader-metering/

+1
Without a good mastering room and monitors it is hard to judge the low end, which can use up a lot of power without even being audible

[Varela]

Originally Posted by dave911

+1
Without a good mastering room and monitors it is hard to judge the low end, which can use up a lot of power without even being audible

Sure, but I 've got Dynaudio's BM15-A with Sub Dynaudio BM12-S.
I know a good song, well played, well recorded, well produced, well mixed and well mastered, sounds great at any scene, isn't it?
I' m learning yet (as whole life!!!).
What about Finalizer, by TC electronics? Had someone tested it? I know it's an old gear, but I recorded some CD at 2000's and it was great then!
Today there's a lot of plugins that tell a new history...
I'll test the last from Universal Audio Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor Plug-In.
Regards

[dave911]

Do you have fully treated and tuned room?

[CME]

I'll echo what others have said. Average monitors in a well treated room will give much better results than "perfect" monitors in an untreated room. And while you should trust your ears when mixing, a good RTA can help you see problem frequencies. It's no replacement for your ears and a good monitoring chain, but can help those with less than perfect setups.

FWIW I just picked up Metric Halo's plug-in bundle. And their channel strip includes their spectra foo RTA. It's really nice. That said I've also used FreqAnalyst, and it's free. I believe waves H-EQ also has an RTA. And there are lots of other options also.

[Varela]

Originally Posted by dave911

Do you have fully treated and tuned room?

Definitely not . I moved my studio this year and I' m building the new one yet. Meanwhile I have to trust in my ears but I have to take a look at this point. I'll check CME suggestion. Thanx for your answers.