KVR Audio

fluffy_little_something · Thu Dec 01, 2016 2:29 pm

I was reading in one of those Klanghelm threads and people were talking about all kinds of different standards (RMS, DIN etc.) and db recommendations, it seemed like a jungle to me.
I have never really cared much about metering, loudness etc., simply trusting my ears and keeping the volume out of the red in my DAW meter, basically. But I know there are some rules finished songs have to comply with in terms of dynamics. Is there some simple guide for non-pros?

rod_zero · Post by **rod_zero** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:08 pm

I would start by watching some videos on gain staging and then go in to loudness standards.

sadriabi · Post by **sadriabi** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 1:42 pm

Try to keep your instant peaks below -6 dBFS in your DAW before mastering.

sbj · Post by **sbj** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 1:56 pm

Here is a free plugin to get you started: http://www.mzuther.de/en/software/trakmeter/
(Windows and Linux)
There is also some info about gain staging.

fluffy_little_something · Sun Dec 04, 2016 3:33 pm

sbj wrote:Here is a free plugin to get you started: http://www.mzuther.de/en/software/trakmeter/
(Windows and Linux)
There is also some info about gain staging.

Thanks. Looks suitable for my amateur needs

So, are those the two levels I have to target, -20 dB FS RMS and -9 dB FS for peaks?

Should that plugin be the last one on the master track? And what the master track meter of the DAW displays becomes basically irrelevant if I use that plugin, right?

flugel45 · Post by **flugel45** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 3:50 pm

rod_zero wrote:I would start by watching some videos on gain staging and then go in to loudness standards.

This.

MogwaiBoy · Post by **MogwaiBoy** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 6:05 pm

-20db integrated RMS level is too quiet in my opinion. The whole "-23LUFS" is a misnomer for music production and is really only a standard for broadcasting peeps. They'll turn your song down if they use it in the background of a TV series.. you don't have to create the music that quiet already - unless you are actually creating music to fit nicely between advert breaks

I know I will cop some flack for this opinion but hey.

ALso: Even with LUFS becoming more accepted,target RMS levels should still be kept an eye on.

nickamandote · Post by **nickamandote** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 6:18 pm

No.1 mistake every newbie does: has no idea what gain staging is. After this you're already ahead many.

Lejurai · Post by **Lejurai** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 6:28 pm

fluffy_little_something wrote:Is there some simple guide for non-pros?

Make sure you don't compress that much that your peak- and rms value is the same

Generally I try to keep my peak volumes to -12dB and rms few dB under that. Not sure if it's _right_ but it seem to work.

sbj · Post by **sbj** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 7:39 pm

fluffy_little_something wrote:
sbj wrote:Here is a free plugin to get you started: http://www.mzuther.de/en/software/trakmeter/
(Windows and Linux)
There is also some info about gain staging.
Thanks. Looks suitable for my amateur needs
So, are those the two levels I have to target, -20 dB FS RMS and -9 dB FS for peaks?

Should that plugin be the last one on the master track? And what the master track meter of the DAW displays becomes basically irrelevant if I use that plugin, right?

I am in no way professional but here is how I use it:

I put the stereo version of Trakmeter on individual channels. First I place a gain plugin (in my case Amplifier which is a Mulab stock plugin) and then trakmeter.

Then I use Amplifier to lower the volume until Trakmeter shows no reds. The sound usually becomes very low but that is taken care of in group channels and the master channel with my limiters and/or compression.

Maybe this video can help you a little:

Dynamics for dummies