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?

I would go with option two - just lower the Input gain on the Master.

What's wrong with -12db?
 
If it was me I'd leave it as it is.

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,

Hi Jesse,
 
I had read that, but I forgot how cool SOS is and just subscribed! :) 
 
thanks!