Is there a general rule of thumb regarding sound levels for a final product? Obviously, you don't want your levels to ever go into the red. Is there a range on the meter where your sound levels should stay throughout the piece? I'm asking because I have source audio that needs to be bumped up and I have source music that needs to be toned down. Any tips on mixing would be very helpful.
Sweetening Sound
- Thread starter cocco
- Start date
ullanta
Veteran
Re: Sweetening Sound
Ideally, your peaks should be exactly at 0dB - although I'd recommend staying a tad lower because meters don't pick up some transients and some players make some noise very close to 0dB. So keep things to around -2 to -1dB for safety.
These are PEAK levels; the average should be significantly lower to prevent ear fatigue.
As for mixing, it's hard to tell without knowing your material. Compression often helps speaking voices to have a consistent level relative to music, etc. Preserve dynamic range - your sound level should change a lot, rather than stay at one point throughout the piece. Listen to your mix on a variety of playback devices - includin mono TVs if that's one of your potential playback devices...
Tell us more and we can help more...?
Ideally, your peaks should be exactly at 0dB - although I'd recommend staying a tad lower because meters don't pick up some transients and some players make some noise very close to 0dB. So keep things to around -2 to -1dB for safety.
These are PEAK levels; the average should be significantly lower to prevent ear fatigue.
As for mixing, it's hard to tell without knowing your material. Compression often helps speaking voices to have a consistent level relative to music, etc. Preserve dynamic range - your sound level should change a lot, rather than stay at one point throughout the piece. Listen to your mix on a variety of playback devices - includin mono TVs if that's one of your potential playback devices...
Tell us more and we can help more...?