Why -3?

[pHz]

just setup a template edit with it set to 0 then ...

slainte rob

[Beno]

it's the question that can't be answered, yet mixing to zero sounds much better, so I always make the change.

No, it doesn't sound better, it sounds louder. 3db louder to be exact. To be honest, no matter where it starts, you should be adjusting it. You want your mixes to get close to clipping without actually clipping. So that is why it starts a little lower. Tracktion is giving you a bit of headroom to start. But once you start going, if you see your master clipping, you should turn it down a bit, or add a master comp or adjust your levels somewhere else.
Ben

[Lunch Money]

It's true. I think it's folly to set it at 0 and then simply hard-limit everything to zero. Say goodbye to the life of your mix. So, you really WILL be adjusting it at some point in time anyhow. If you want it 3 db louder to begin with, you can always turn up your monitor speakers.

[stash98]

My mixes have great dynamics. I don't hard limit to 0. I agree that's a bad way to go about things. I will add a master comp sometimes with a very low setting just to catch peaks. but I like mixing close to 0. When I capture the stereo wav it is never close to being too loud. RMS is usually around -14 to -12. I then master to get it to -10.

I just go by my ears, and I get better mixes when I mix closer to 0 in tracktion. I also like mixes that are hot, but I am not going for the commercial mix either where you have everything at basicly a square wav.

Plus, I have alway used zero Db as my reference, so I am very comfortable doing it that way.

I made a post a long time ago about mxing with a comp on the 2 bus, and a lot of people posted saying "that's what mastering is for". I still disagree with that statement, because I believe in mulitiple stages of light compression. So, I agree with Beno, to use a comp to catch peaks, but obviously mix a little under the level (-3, 0, or whatever) that you set the 2 bus at.

[Lunch Money]

Word. Bottom line, use whatever you're comfortable with. I'd be lying if I said I NEVER nudge the master meter up.

[rpc9943]

im comfortable w/ 0dB



RoNC

[Mr Coffeehouse]

ok, now try this...

pick a number between 1 and 4

[mandolarian]

Or one between 2 and 4

[IIRs]

im comfortable w/ 0dB



RoNC

What, even if it clips?

[Beno]

Right, in the digital realm the number on the master fader means nothing. It is simply your final level control to prevent clipping in the exported file.
Ben

[rpc9943]

okay well i set the master to 0dB and my master bus multiband comp's limiter set to -0.1dB

[O-Jay]

But does this mean that if the master exceeds 0dB (clips) then it is sufficient to lower the master bus fader, instead of lowering each channel fader separately?

[mandolarian]

Yes! The bus faders, the mix bus have waaaaaay more headroom at 32 bits, than our wimpy D/A convertors can handle. It's tough to switch from analog habits. So consider digital OdB the +10dB of the analog world. Or if working at 32bits, the +96dB of your analog console.

[stash98]

I think it is better to remix and get the peaks under 0. lowering the master fader wil work, but that doesn't erase a potentialy harsh frequency that could annoy a listener.

[IIRs]