Method for measuring RMS? Analyzing master wave forms.

Is there any way to measure RMS (and A-weighted RMS) in Sonar - aside from estimating from the meter.  Like an actual number?

There are several ways to do it for sure and using an editor program such as Adobe Audition etc will often include the ability to give you all sorts of readings including rms values.
 
Another way to do it is to calibrate your system to an rms ref level eg -14 db FS.  Insert a VU meter plugin and get it calibrated to show 0 db VU when a -14 dB FS signal is present.
 
Then play your master into the VU and see what is going on.  If it just hits 0 dB VU then you know your master is mastered to around -14 db FS.  If it falls short and only reaches -2 db VU then you know it is mastered to -16 dB FS rms level or if it hits + 3 db VU then you know it is mastered to -11 dB FS etc rms level.
 
Another option is to just insert a VU meter plugin  (some are very cheap eg Klanghelm meter and others are free too) and keep adjusting the ref level so the needle is just hitting 0 db VU most of the time.  Then read off the ref level.  That is what your master has been mastered to rms wise.  It might be high eg -10 etc..
 
Sonar's rms readings are 3 dB lower than what they should be.  A -14 dB FS rms signal shows up at -17 on the Sonar rms meter.  Be aware of that.  It is not accurate.  (Well actually it is accurate but it does not follow the standard of the rms level being the very tops of the sinewave, it is showing rms as being 3 dB down on peak which is technically correct but not so for this type of measurement though.)
 
 
 
 

mikebeam
Jeff, are any of the things you mentioned free?  I think a VU meter that's free would be great!

The Klanghelm meters are just a bit over 10$.
 
 

Jeff Evans
There are several ways to do it for sure and using an editor program such as Adobe Audition etc will often include the ability to give you all sorts of readings including rms values.
 
Another way to do it is to calibrate your system to an rms ref level eg -14 db FS.  Insert a VU meter plugin and get it calibrated to show 0 db VU when a -14 dB FS signal is present.
 
Then play your master into the VU and see what is going on.  If it just hits 0 dB VU then you know your master is mastered to around -14 db FS.  If it falls short and only reaches -2 db VU then you know it is mastered to -16 dB FS rms level or if it hits + 3 db VU then you know it is mastered to -11 dB FS etc rms level.
 
Another option is to just insert a VU meter plugin  (some are very cheap eg Klanghelm meter and others are free too) and keep adjusting the ref level so the needle is just hitting 0 db VU most of the time.  Then read off the ref level.  That is what your master has been mastered to rms wise.  It might be high eg -10 etc..
 
Sonar's rms readings are 3 dB lower than what they should be.  A -14 dB FS rms signal shows up at -17 on the Sonar rms meter.  Be aware of that.  It is not accurate.  (Well actually it is accurate but it does not follow the standard of the rms level being the very tops of the sinewave, it is showing rms as being 3 dB down on peak which is technically correct but not so for this type of measurement though.)
 
 
 
 

Hi Jeff, now that I've discovered soundforges little tool, and I've found out I've been short changing my masters...although no one seems to be complaining about my mixes or masters anymore...what do you think...should I try and add 3 or more db to my masters.
I think I have been overmastering again...I've worked out that by proper gain staging or structure in the mix means less mastering...Virtually I just turn everything up and add a little sparkle...although I'm still having to carve the mids.  I would probably have to do even less if I just turned everything up another 3db.
Anyway your opinion would be nice...yes I said it would be nice.
 
Ben

Hi Jeff...sorry went off to dinner...I had a look at my last piece...which has timing issues...I'm fixing them and that was -18db, one of the "classical" pieces was only -23db...I think I've figured the formula...maybe lol!!
 
Ben

mikedocy
Put Voxengo Span on your master buss or any track and get real-time RMS readout.
It's free:
http://www.voxengo.com/product/span/

I actually already do...hence my work sounds alright...I've just worked how bad my ADHD is or arrogance...take your pick. Mix of,last track if you can call it that was not great because I finished composing the thing then actually didn't mix it properly timing errors and over compression. Shakes head. 
 
Ben

You might look at this.  Its cool and free.
 
http://www.orban.com/meter/

I use and like the Orban loudness meter. But it works a bit differently to a standard plugin concept.  You have to route audio to it.  It can be tricky but my PatchMix software for the EMU audio interface I use allows some pretty fancy routing so I can do it.  You may have issues getting it to work.
 
The Klangfreund meter is good and works just like a normal plugin and can be inserted anywhere.