How should I prep my mixes for mastering?

[Big 3rd]

Ok...couple questions. I'm running Protools hd2.

I know to bring the ME the original sample rates. And I know to not put anything on my mastertracks. But...

1. How much headroom should I have? And is this peaking headroom or rms?

2. I've heard from a couple of sources that you shouldn't let protools bounce your track down to a two-track, instead, buss everything to a stereo audio track and export that region or track. I guess the reasoning was because protools alters the sound during the converting process and protools sucks at summing all the track when bussed through their master track. Is this a good practice or just foolishness?

If there are any other very important things you can think of to mention, feel free to enlighten me.

[mcsnare]

I think BTD sounds exactly the same as printing to a track. Just BTD at the same bit depth and sample rate as the session and you'll be fine. A db or so before you hit red on the stereo buss is fine. Really any level shy of red is fine with me. The sound of the mix is by far the most important factor.

Dave

[CJ Mastering]

.

How much headroom should I have? And is this peaking headroom or rms?

I tell my clients to have that your signal level on your mix bus (Master bus) should be between -5dB to -3dB. This is peak level.
You do not need to worry about your RMS level, as that will be adjusted during the mastering process.

[Lagerfeldt]

http://www.onlinemastering.dk/pdf/mi...ering-tips.pdf