Another question about mastering

[Smithers]

I have a question about mastering not related to gear but theory I guess.

I see ME's making a big emphasis on metering and stereo analysis. So much so that they feel the need to have a special meter and a visual spectrometer (the colorful one, sorry have no idea what the colors mean). So the question is: why?

I mean, if the program you're using to master has a meter, and you're listening to the sound in stereo right in front of you; then whats the extras for?

I can only assume that the stereo meter is showing you how much of the stereo field you are covering. But if you're listening to it then why look?

And why use external metering if you're program is telling you whether or not you are peaking?

I am trying to grasp the concept of what benefit these little tools give in a finished product. Hopefully this will help in my mixing (I am not a ME, just an E). I've never felt the need to look at a stereo analyzer; should I? Will I see something my ears don't hear? will a Dorough meter give me a better level than my DAW? I've been mixing for 10 years and trying to figure out whats the next level, the last puzzle piece. Links and articles are welcome.

Thanks

[Darius van H]

No benefit - the less you see, the more you listen.

I've got one level meter and that's it. Occasionally i'll need an FFT or a stereo meter, in which case i'll open one up, but IMO these things should not be on view all the time.

If a client wants to annoy me during a session, the no. 1 way is to ask me to open up a meter and to then (the client) start making decisions about what to do based on what you see.

[inlinenl]

I could ride my ducati without it's speed/kmh meter ...
but it's still on ....

about audio meters .... it's just there I even don't take a look ... but it's always just a millisec watch/glimps to see all is going okay ....

in my workflow it has to do with QC ...

[Waltz Mastering]

Originally Posted by Smithers

Hopefully this will help in my mixing (I am not a ME, just an E).

In addition to what D and I said. When it comes to mixing in a 24 bit system you can keep your individual track levels down around -22 rms dbfs. There's really need to push the levels at all.

[inlinenl]

I think in mixing it could be a + to use metering, did you never use an analyzer ????? try if it works for you .. finding rumble when by-passing the drums/bass parts ???? some problematic freq. in vocals ... many more uses ..

you could do easy without, you can do it with metering .. try to find out if they have any use for YOU ...

in some part off your career you should try and find out if it sticks with you or not ....

just have fun and be open minded .. try/taste/comment and move on ...

[Table Of Tone]

Meters are just a rough guide for me really.

I have a stereo pair of organic vintage pink meters though.
They are the ones I use the most!