Setting the channel volume before starting Mix

[No_Use]

Could this be an option:

After playing raw tracks, I now know the peak db for each track. Accordingly, I subtract x amount of numbers so each track is peaking at -18.

ex. one track is peaking at 6db, so lower it by -24 on the trim plugin, another track peaking at -20.6db, so add 2.6db by trim plugin. And doing it this way for all individual tracks..

Does this work? Does anybody do it this way by any chance?

The -18 mentioned here often is not meant as -18 db peak (digital full scale) but as a reference level on a VU meter, meaning when gain staging the VU's needle should move around 0 when set to -18 as reference level. See:
http://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/ ... w-software

[rod_zero]

i vote for option 3: check your track levels during the tracking stage and shoot for 0db on a VU for sustained material and 0db in a PPM meter for transient material (meters calibrated to -18).

This way, your tracks are all roughly starting out at a similar level, and one that won't distort your analog modeled plugins too hard. I like setting things at this level during tracking because 1) I don't need to repeat the process at mix time, and 2) when it comes time to mix, it's easy to visually orient what you're hearing with what you're seeing on the console faders when all the tracks are at similar levels. It's weird when you have a bass track that's at -6db on the console fader, but is considerably louder than the vocal that's fader is at 0db.

The annoying thing about this approach is that just about EVERY VST synth has presets that output way too hot. So I'm constantly turning the output down when dealing with VSTi's and preset browsing can be a pain when I'm looking for something different.

Could this be an option:

After playing raw tracks, I now know the peak db for each track. Accordingly, I subtract x amount of numbers so each track is peaking at -18.

ex. one track is peaking at 6db, so lower it by -24 on the trim plugin, another track peaking at -20.6db, so add 2.6db by trim plugin. And doing it this way for all individual tracks..

Does this work? Does anybody do it this way by any chance?

Nope, just use a VU meter.

[musiclover55547]

Could this be an option:

After playing raw tracks, I now know the peak db for each track. Accordingly, I subtract x amount of numbers so each track is peaking at -18.

ex. one track is peaking at 6db, so lower it by -24 on the trim plugin, another track peaking at -20.6db, so add 2.6db by trim plugin. And doing it this way for all individual tracks..

Does this work? Does anybody do it this way by any chance?

The -18 mentioned here often is not meant as -18 db peak (digital full scale) but as a reference level on a VU meter, meaning when gain staging the VU's needle should move around 0 when set to -18 as reference level. See:
http://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/ ... w-software

As mentioned, in addition to VU Meters for cases in between different inserts as well as catching True Peaks, a DAW's Macro Setting for Pre-Fader Metering is key:

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/newbie- ... fader.html
https://ask.audio/articles/why-use-pre- ... ogic-pro-x
http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=113168
http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=214870
https://www.steinberg.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=77342

From this last link:

Can someone please help me understand this very basic aspect of mixing that I am lacking?

"There's an important reference omitted, and also points out the incorrect implementation of the 'PRE' function in Cubase 7 & 8. In Cubase & most DAWs you can select whether the track meters are monitoring PRE or POST fader (VIP in the gain staging argument). In this video (and in this thread), this information is omitted but given the way the video is presented is is clear that the mixer is set to monitor post-fader. Wrong. This does nothing for the gain staging argument.

The general idea is that the gain staging (& matching of input levels is about setting a schema such as 0dbVU = 18dbFS or similar depending on your persuasion; Bob Katz also refs sine wave as 0dbVU = -20dbFS). Whichever, the point is to provide the channels with some headroom and so as to make better use of the overall digital summing as audio passes through the various mixing stages, busses and master fader.

All of which needs to happen in reference to pre-fader metering (i.e., source levels); post-fader metering then is reserved for referencing the final mixdown itself. The point here is that if Cubase track meters are set to pre-fader metering, then it is obvious to see that using the Cubase PRE Gain function (as demonstrated in this video, either via cannel strip of mix console) has absolutely zero effect on the meter levels. Clearly, the Cubase PRE function is inserted post WAV file. This is not a PRE or Gain trim function in the true use of its implementation. Elsewhere in other DAWs this is applied correctly via various means: in ProTools via the 'Clip Gain' function on the waveform itself; or in many others via a trim tool.

In Cubase therefore the correct way to set true input gain for pre-recorded files is either to use the level handle on the waveform itself, or to process the audio via gain change; check this via the track set to monitor pre-fader. Unfortunately, the Cubase PRE function is actually set as a post-fader function. Stupid really.

The idea of pre-fader metering should to be applied to both tracking /recording and of course to gain staging, post recording or when receiving files that may be a little 'hot' from others; it also VIP applies to gain staging for VIs which are invariably defaulted as way, way too hot."

[LawrenceF]

Edited. No point.