Question on Gain Staging and Master Buss

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smallstonefan
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2015/06/29 08:51:47 (permalink)

Question on Gain Staging and Master Buss

Hi all,
I do a pretty good job of keeping my track levels average RMS at -18 as I feed my busses, and also pretty good keeping the busses at the same level overall. However, am working on a mix that is sounding pretty good, but the master buss is reading about -12 average RMS. So, I have these options - if not more - and wondering what is the best approach?
 
  • Quick group the volume sliders of all busses and nudge them down just a bit. Seems the best way.
  • Use the Trim control on the 2 buss so I can trim down the sum of the busses to the proper level.
  • Don't use any affects on the 2 buss and instead route to another 2buss effects buss. This would allow me to lower the slider on the 2 bus to reduce the levels. Doesn't seem logical to me...
My Mackie Control lets me back a buss to the far right slider - I've thought of mapping it to the 2 bus but does anyone ever change the volume of their 2 buss?

james
My Music at Soundcloud
#1

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    brundlefly
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    Re: Question on Gain Staging and Master Buss 2015/06/29 09:23:48 (permalink)
    I would go with option two - just lower the Input gain on the Master.

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    Bristol_Jonesey
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    Re: Question on Gain Staging and Master Buss 2015/06/29 09:44:24 (permalink)
    What's wrong with -12db?
     
    If it was me I'd leave it as it is.

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    Jesse G
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    Re: Question on Gain Staging and Master Buss 2015/06/29 09:55:59 (permalink)
    Smallstonefan,
     
    There is an article from Sound on Sound Magazine you should read about Gain staging that will help you.  Not sure if you are a subscriber to this magazine or not, however, I have a collection dating back about 6 years. Whenever I get stuck sometimes, I reference one of the articles I've read in the past and it helps me. Also you can see how Sonar has changed over the years if you do a search on Cakewalk Sonar.
     
    Click the link and read the article ~~~ > Gain Staging In Your DAW Software
     
    I hope this helps,

    Peace,
    Jesse G. A fisher of men  <><
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    #4
    smallstonefan
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    Re: Question on Gain Staging and Master Buss 2015/06/29 11:31:35 (permalink)
    Hi Jesse,
     
    I had read that, but I forgot how cool SOS is and just subscribed! :) 
     
    thanks!

    james
    My Music at Soundcloud
    #5
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