Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - what is the difference between rms and peak

ckett · 20th February 2008

Hello all,

This is a great thread going on here. I would like to ask a few questions to broaden this discussion.

If I were mixing music that has a style like a film score or even classical music, at what dynamic range should I shoot for? One of the things I am discovering is that as a mixing engineer I need to have some reference in mind for the lows and the highs. Bob Katz's K system has been of great help in at least establishing a monitoring environment that is consistent.

In relation to RMS levels, a piece of music should have a target in which to bring the mix to. I think by establishing a reference high and low RMS level, based on the music per track, the mix can achieve a more acceptable dynamic range before going to the mastering phase. This way the mix only needs very little compression/limiting in the mastering phase and would only need an overall gain increase in level (not normalization or heavy limiting/compression) to bring it close to 0dbfs.

I have found that a lot of compression/limiting in the mastering phase greatly affects the sound of the mix in terms of the tonal balance. It's almost like it can destroy the mix!

The other question I have for more experienced engineers is that I find that to get a mix louder you have to begin cutting the low end. Will having an established RMS reference for the mix aid in getting the tonal balance correct? This way the engineer will know that the equalization of the tonal balance of the mix is in the right place based on the loudness level of the mix.

Anyways, I hope this encourages some discussion!!

Hope to get John and Bob in on this!!

Thanks all!!

20th February 2008	#35
ckett Gear addict Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 313	Hello all, This is a great thread going on here. I would like to ask a few questions to broaden this discussion. If I were mixing music that has a style like a film score or even classical music, at what dynamic range should I shoot for? One of the things I am discovering is that as a mixing engineer I need to have some reference in mind for the lows and the highs. Bob Katz's K system has been of great help in at least establishing a monitoring environment that is consistent. In relation to RMS levels, a piece of music should have a target in which to bring the mix to. I think by establishing a reference high and low RMS level, based on the music per track, the mix can achieve a more acceptable dynamic range before going to the mastering phase. This way the mix only needs very little compression/limiting in the mastering phase and would only need an overall gain increase in level (not normalization or heavy limiting/compression) to bring it close to 0dbfs. I have found that a lot of compression/limiting in the mastering phase greatly affects the sound of the mix in terms of the tonal balance. It's almost like it can destroy the mix! The other question I have for more experienced engineers is that I find that to get a mix louder you have to begin cutting the low end. Will having an established RMS reference for the mix aid in getting the tonal balance correct? This way the engineer will know that the equalization of the tonal balance of the mix is in the right place based on the loudness level of the mix. Anyways, I hope this encourages some discussion!! Hope to get John and Bob in on this!! Thanks all!!