Hi guys I have a question about bouncing levels when preparing a project for mixing, I've asked a few people and have received different answers so wanted to see if GearSlutz could provide clarity!
By 'bouncing levels' I'm talking about the levels of individual tracks when they are being recorded back in as audio (if using hardware) or 'bounced' if using software..
The main reason I want to know this is because as well as my own I am also mixing stems (individual tracks,wavs,seperates,parts) for clients and when they export (bounce) their individual parts as audio I currently ask them to reset the level faders on the tracks and to pull down any tracks that are as a result then in the 'red' to -3db (below 0db - in case there's another variant i'm not aware of
)
So the question is...
When recording back in as audio should you try and get the maximum level from your synth? i.e push up the synth output and/or track fader.
If so...
- Does this provide a better signal to noise ratio??
- Make the signal healthier/better for mixing
- Save having to compensate (what you could have got) with make up gain later on (assuming you may need that part to be louder)
If not...
- Is it because you use up all available headroom?
- Change/alter the quality/harmonic content of the sound in a detrimental way
or any other reason..
Thank you in advance for your advice and feedback and please note that by 'Maximum level' I do not mean in the red or making things distort, simply getting what I can at that first gain stage.