how would you like to receive a good mix? (RMS, peaks...)

Ciaccona · 29th January 2009

As there are many posts about what a mastering engineer doesn't hope to be sent (overly compressed loud mixes that leave no room etc.) in order to master what would you like and what is best to master speaking in terms of RMS and peaks etc. (and not about the music, arrangement itself)?

how should it be prepared volumewise?

Bob Olhsson · 29th January 2009

When I mix, I aim at peak levels around -6.

My reason for not heavily limiting a mix is because the best sounding limiter and limiter settings can't really be determined until the mix is in its final position within the album with the appropriate eq. settings. This is what I mean by "leaving room."

Another reason for conservative mix levels is that the analog stages of many common D to A converters sound pretty bad when the levels are cranked and that can have an adverse effect on mixing decisions.

Proggm · 29th January 2009

I usually ask the mixing engineers to not apply any limiting/clipping on the master bus. There’s no problem if they use some compressor because of an artistic choice, as long as it’s not crushing the mix.
That being said, most mixes I receive (keep in mind I mostly work with rock/metal bands) are around -16/-12 dB rms. Of course, peaks should NEVER go over 0 dB.

29th January 2009	#1
Ciaccona Gear addict Joined: Nov 2008 Location: Germany, Europe Posts: 355 Thread Starter	how would you like to receive a good mix? (RMS, peaks...) As there are many posts about what a mastering engineer doesn't hope to be sent (overly compressed loud mixes that leave no room etc.) in order to master what would you like and what is best to master speaking in terms of RMS and peaks etc. (and not about the music, arrangement itself)? how should it be prepared volumewise?

29th January 2009	#2
Bob Olhsson Motown legend Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Songwriter Gulch, Nashville TN Posts: 10,877 Verified Member	When I mix, I aim at peak levels around -6. My reason for not heavily limiting a mix is because the best sounding limiter and limiter settings can't really be determined until the mix is in its final position within the album with the appropriate eq. settings. This is what I mean by "leaving room." Another reason for conservative mix levels is that the analog stages of many common D to A converters sound pretty bad when the levels are cranked and that can have an adverse effect on mixing decisions. __________________ Bob's room 615 562-4346 Georgetown Masters 615 254-3233 Music Industry 2.0 Interview

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29th January 2009	#3
Proggm Gear maniac Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Argentina Posts: 176	I usually ask the mixing engineers to not apply any limiting/clipping on the master bus. There’s no problem if they use some compressor because of an artistic choice, as long as it’s not crushing the mix. That being said, most mixes I receive (keep in mind I mostly work with rock/metal bands) are around -16/-12 dB rms. Of course, peaks should NEVER go over 0 dB.