Volume of mixing

[morbidstudio]

I am one to usually mix and master at hugs volumes but I am woondering if there is a volume that you would suggest that would actually be more professional to mix at.  Hope you may have some info. for this.

Thanks!

[RawDepth]

Welcome to the site.

You bring up a good point. It sounds different at low volume than it does at high and you really should check it at many different volumes and on different playback systems.

I've heard professionals say that they mix at lower (more comfortable) volumes. This is so their ears last longer before that dreaded ear fatigue starts to set in.

I do this as well. But I do turn it up once in a while to get the feel for the power and dynamics. However, I think it is more difficult to notice the differences between instrument levels at higher volumes.

[morbidstudio]

Thanks for the answer, I always play it really loud and have a hard to rock'n out to a lower level but in order to get a descent mix I for sure have to learn to change my volume around once and a while.  I do use my car stereo and a little radio as well, oh yeah a laptop speaker as well.

Thanks!

[stainless]

generally- if you're going to send the be sending the final mix out for mastering, most mastering engineers/houses want somewhere between -18dB and -10dB so they have enough headroom to work

If you're mixing/mastering your own tunes-  -2db seems a good level to try and NOT EXCEED- digital clipping/distortion is much uglier than analog, in fact that is why tape style has an appeal to great many artists