Who's using VU METERS...?

proxy · 25th March 2006

As I read more and more interviews with seasoned Mixers, often VU levels come up casually specifically with regards to snare, kick and bass. In the age of more and more hybrid systems, is this still something that is very relevant and integrated into mixing? Low end is often one of the hardest things to balance and it seems like as many perspectives as possible are useful. Or is this just a legacy technique that was unique to mixing to tape?

Not discounting a balanced room (that you know), plus listening on small/consumer speakers, and then maybe the opposite, listening on a full spectrum system, maybe with a subwoofer, BUT...

...how (or how often) are you pro mixers using this other way of "hearing" what is going on?

- Justin

JDinBNA · 25th March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by proxy

...how (or how often) are you pro mixers using this other way of "hearing" what is going on?

While I'm not a high dollar, world class pro mixer... I still can read english and type, and take advantage of a free forum...

For ProTools...
Thanks to Digi for including the BF VU meters. I use them all the time, almost every session. Its rough and crude, but I'm used to it and familar with it.

I put it up as the last insert on the master fader at the start of every mix. Next, I set up that master fader (with analog channel, a compressor, an eq, what ever this mix calls for) and get those multitrack faders roughed in. Then group all the multitrack faders and ride up and down, finding the right spot.

Of couse, they're only meters...

phelbin · 25th March 2006

I always start my mixing in the exact same way no matter what style. I read that a few respectable mixing engineers start this way, and I tried it and kept doing it. I get the kick sounding roughly the way I want, then I adjust the gain to about -5db on the 2bus VU. Then I get the bass to sound roughly the way I want, and get it to -5 on the VU. Put together they should be about -2 or -3db on the VU. This gives me a good starting point. Once the rest of the drums and the other instruments are in the mix I'm at a fairly good overall level. I'm definitely tweaking the kick and bass all throughout the mix process, but I always try to stick to -5 as a guide.

And when I'm doing a rough mix in PT, I'll usually start the same way by putting a VU on a Master track and balancing everything out the same way.

When I first started, all my mixes were too hot and sorta crispy sounding. Starting with this really helped bring everything under control, and now my mixes breathe a lot better.

25th March 2006	#1
proxy Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 447 Thread Starter	Who's using VU METERS...? As I read more and more interviews with seasoned Mixers, often VU levels come up casually specifically with regards to snare, kick and bass. In the age of more and more hybrid systems, is this still something that is very relevant and integrated into mixing? Low end is often one of the hardest things to balance and it seems like as many perspectives as possible are useful. Or is this just a legacy technique that was unique to mixing to tape? Not discounting a balanced room (that you know), plus listening on small/consumer speakers, and then maybe the opposite, listening on a full spectrum system, maybe with a subwoofer, BUT... ...how (or how often) are you pro mixers using this other way of "hearing" what is going on? - Justin

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Good VU meters?	RoundBadge	So much gear, so little time!	31	27th June 2006 01:02 AM
Sampling 'The Meters'	Jack P	Rap + Hip Hop engineering & production	20	16th March 2006 09:04 PM
Question about meters	JimmyPills	Music computers	5	22nd July 2005 02:00 AM
VU Meters	BruceTheProduce	So much gear, so little time!	7	27th May 2005 07:58 AM

25th March 2006	#3
phelbin Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 355	I always start my mixing in the exact same way no matter what style. I read that a few respectable mixing engineers start this way, and I tried it and kept doing it. I get the kick sounding roughly the way I want, then I adjust the gain to about -5db on the 2bus VU. Then I get the bass to sound roughly the way I want, and get it to -5 on the VU. Put together they should be about -2 or -3db on the VU. This gives me a good starting point. Once the rest of the drums and the other instruments are in the mix I'm at a fairly good overall level. I'm definitely tweaking the kick and bass all throughout the mix process, but I always try to stick to -5 as a guide. And when I'm doing a rough mix in PT, I'll usually start the same way by putting a VU on a Master track and balancing everything out the same way. When I first started, all my mixes were too hot and sorta crispy sounding. Starting with this really helped bring everything under control, and now my mixes breathe a lot better.