What RMS to shoot for to keep clients happy (going for a commercial rock sound)?

[Kayo]

Originally Posted by sanddigger1

Are you talking about max RMS or average RMS ? If it's average -12 is already too much.

Good point.
I used to stick to -16db RMS to -18db RMS. But, over the years, since the average level of masters started to go up, relative to that, the mix RMS ascended too.
So, in many ways.. “Yes”.. from an old school point of view, -16db RMS could still be a lot.. But, it’s sure better than -8db RMS. Geeezzz!

FD

[jamescater]

Originally Posted by FaTT Dust

Do you mean raw mixes at -8db RMS!?
I'd find that way too loud, for an incoming mix, for mastering. Not that, it’s not possible to master at -8db RMS.

No, I mean I try to get my Masters to -8db Average RMS over a few bars of the chorus (2db quieter than current pop tunes)

The mixes will be round -13 average RMS in the chorus

So ultimately I take off 1db because my mixes are not quite as good as the pros and another 1 db becuase I think that the current brickwalling trend has gone 1db too far.

[MAzevedo]

Something to keep in mind as all these numbers are being bandied about:

Different meter ballistics will give wildly different readings for the same program. I had a client recently who brought in mixes with an RMS level of around -14dBfs on the meter plugin he was using for his mix, but were -7dBfs on my Dourroughs.

I think the only real solution is to have a calibrated playback level in your room that you know by ear to sound 'loud enough' with 'competitive' mixes, and then push what you are working on until it sounds 'loud enough' in your room. In my case, I monitor with my Grace controller set to 78.5 when working on something where there is an expectation of 'competitive' levels. When I have the freedom to do a more dynamic master, I just raise my monitor level to 82.5 and work to the same perceived 'loud enough' in the room. The blinking lights on a meter are a great way to measure LEVEL, but for making accurate decisions about LOUDNESS there is really nothing that can compare to your ears.

[themadnun]

Originally Posted by FRP

these are indications but I m just a young soundi , recodring with poor mics and cracked Le in a 10m2 room.

erm. whats the official gearslutz stance on cracked software? i know they dont like it over at studio central. thought i'd sound the horn if its the same case here.

[Riccardo]

Originally Posted by themadnun

erm. whats the official gearslutz stance on cracked software? i know they dont like it over at studio central. thought i'd sound the horn if its the same case here.

It is against the rules. If people read GS general rules as well as specific forum rules before opening their mouths ........... well we can't have everything, can we?

[Jesse Graffam]

Originally Posted by Riccardo

It is against the rules. If people read GS general rules as well as specific forum rules before opening their mouths ........... well we can't have everything, can we?

Never can man. I admin several forums myself, and almost nobody reads the rules. The few people that do read the rules report posts for me all the time. Which is nice. But few & far between.

[xlii42]

Blimey, I love this thread! Must be the most gripping RMS chat I've ever witnessed. I think I need to get out more. It is surely a sign of trouble when I'm falling asleep browsing the net and wake up & get excited about this topic? Makes me wanna "Say it loud! I'm a geek & I'm proud!"

[Kayo]

Originally Posted by xlii42

Blimey, I love this thread! Must be the most gripping RMS chat I've ever witnessed. I think I need to get out more. It is surely a sign of trouble when I'm falling asleep browsing the net and wake up & get excited about this topic? Makes me wanna "Say it loud! I'm a geek & I'm proud!"

Yup, lack of previous sleep .. and a high level of audio interest can do that!! hahaha....

Cheers,
Kayo