elMisse wrote:ejanuska wrote:I'm listening to Happy Feet on the OPs soundcloud right now and I don't think there are any issues with the levels or volume.
Seriously?
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Maybe I am wrong from some point of view yes.
The thing is, that when I listen to almost any random stuff there I now always compare the volumelevels to my tunes and notice I have to crank volume up like 5-10 steps.
So what I'm saying is that there must be something wrong in my process, because I thought I am really peaking very close to 0db in outputmeter, and I use light maximizing (ozone).
Like others have said, a loud mix starts with a loud arrangement, using loud sounds, etc. If you wait until mastering to achieve your desired loudness level, you'll potentially be doing a LOT of work (processing) to achieve that goal. Making a lot of assumptions with those comments, of course.
Do you listen to reference tracks when building your own? It could be helpful, not necessarily every time, but at least for getting a better handle on getting things right from the start and not "fixing it in the mix" (or mastering).
Also, loudness comes from a few areas. One is the frequency spectrum, so understanding the basic ideas behind the Fletcher/Munson curves is important IMO. The other is the relationship between peak and average levels. The Big Meter (set to VU + Peak) is helpful here. A "raw" sound such as a kick or snare (recorded yourself, not a sample) can have a peak to average ratio (aka "crest factor") as high as 20 dB or higher. A mastered mix that sounds "loud" can have a much lower crest factor, averaging around 12 dB but ranging as low as 6-8 dB for VERY compressed/distorted mixes to as high as 16-18 dB for a more "open" mix (often with more acoustic instruments). Genres such as jazz and classical, or solo acoustic tracks can have much higher crest factors (over 20 dB) because very little (if any) dynamic range compression or level "riding" typically takes place.
Compare the crest factor of tracks you like and which you want to match in loudness. Then you will have a target to match, and you should be able to come close to this level when mixing, and get the rest of the way when mastering. Hopefully when mastering you'll only need to do a few dBs brick wall limiting, maybe as much as 6 dB or so for more "heavy" sounding genres.
This is a subject which can generate a LOT of differing opinions, so take in all the comments you can and see which approach works best for what you're personally trying to achieve! As with all creative subjects, comments such as mine that are given without hearing your musical examples are just a shot in the dark - take them with a large grain of salt knowing there are no absolute rules with the creative arts.
Bottom line: If it sounds good, it IS good.
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