Hello Everyone,

I wanted to ask what you all do for what I call temporary mix downs?

Meaning, I am still tracking a song, maybe just some core tracks (drums, bass, chords, etc...) 

When I track, I usually don't peak any individual track over -8db and my master bus usually won't peak over -4db (which I feel is OK, correct?)

So I am asking, what is the best way to make a temporary mix down for the car so it is loud? Just throw a limiter on the master bus and turn the threshold until it peaks at around -0.2 db or something?

Sometimes I like to drive around with my songs as I am working on them to help develop new ideas in my head.

Would love to know what others do.

Thank You,
Adam

What you just explained is basically what i do. I understand your thought process on that because i do a similar process. However i usually don't do it on the master bus. I usually export the project as is then import it to my master template then kind of do a real quick, Rough master. Nothing to crazy and like you, i dont like to go over -2 sometimes ill push to 0. Just to kinda boost it and glue everything together. My experience with just adding it to the master bus over the project... to me anyways... didn't sound as good. I prefer to export then re import to either a separate project that i use for mastering or to maybe re-import it to a track on the same project then add my limiter, compressor or whatever i so choose.

Woodyoflop
What you just explained is basically what i do. I understand your thought process on that because i do a similar process. However i usually don't do it on the master bus. I usually export the project as is then import it to my master template then kind of do a real quick, Rough master. Nothing to crazy and like you, i dont like to go over -2 sometimes ill push to 0. Just to kinda boost it and glue everything together. My experience with just adding it to the master bus over the project... to me anyways... didn't sound as good. I prefer to export then re import to either a separate project that i use for mastering or to maybe re-import it to a track on the same project then add my limiter, compressor or whatever i so choose.

 
Thanks for the reply.  Hmmm, that doesnt make sense though.  Why would the limiter sound better just because it is in a different template?

You say you export "as-is", then import into your mastering template, then use the limiter - but wouldn't that sound just like adding a temporary limiter right into the master bus in the original project file?

I can't honestly give you a fact based answer on that. It's simply from my experience. It could be that i just THINK it sounds better so my brain tells me it does. Its a possibility. But yes i export as-is then re import either to a seperate template i have pre-made for master or reimport it into the same project on its own track to apply what i want. 
 
The most reasonable explanation i could give for this anomaly is that perhaps when its in the project. The coding from the DAW might interpret it slightly different when applying it to all the tracks individually from the master bus than it when it does from a single wav file when all the tracks are in a sense already smashed together. The frequencies might be interpretted differently perhaps.

Woodyoflop
I can't honestly give you a fact based answer on that. It's simply from my experience. It could be that i just THINK it sounds better so my brain tells me it does. Its a possibility. But yes i export as-is then re import either to a seperate template i have pre-made for master or reimport it into the same project on its own track to apply what i want. 
 
The most reasonable explanation i could give for this anomaly is that perhaps when its in the project. The coding from the DAW might interpret it slightly different when applying it to all the tracks individually from the master bus than it when it does from a single wav file when all the tracks are in a sense already smashed together. The EQs might be interpretted differently perhaps.

i think it is mental man :)

all the tracks sum into the master the same as it is if they are in 1 track imported back in :)

I usually play the song through, measuring average loudness in an EBU meter (I use RME DigiCheck which comes with my interface). That way, I have a predictable volume level.
 
I add compression to get the mix fairly close. I might do a bounce a little soft to find the few errant spikes and use some volume automation to contain them.
 
Then I limit 1-2 dB at the most and bounce to tracks.
 
I use this as a guide for the amount of compression. I pick an average loudness, then compress to within a 1-2 dB, then I limit.

Ha. it most likely is. Im sure someone will be along soon enough to de-bunk what i just said as well lol. As far as your process tho. It is similar. Sound has a lot do with the way you perceive it. I do also have a hearing issue, my left ear has a deadspot where i cannot hear much in the 5000 range. So my right ear makes up for it and my left might interpret the frequency more lower or higher in range. It does cause issues sometimes panning wise as u might imagine lol. Thats when i have to look at meters to make sure the right really isnt louder than the left ;) lol.

For the Drivin' Around Test - we all do it - just throw a limiter on the master bus followed by an instance of SPAN set to K-14 metering (or K-12 if you like it a little louder) and slow averaging (there's a Mastering preset you can use). Get your average levels bouncing around the 0dB mark, ranging from around -4dB during the quiet parts and no more than +4 dB during the loudest parts. This is just a general target but should work fine for your next D.A.T.

gswitz
I usually play the song through, measuring average loudness in an EBU meter (I use RME DigiCheck which comes with my interface). That way, I have a predictable volume level.
 
I add compression to get the mix fairly close. I might do a bounce a little soft to find the few errant spikes and use some volume automation to contain them.
 
Then I limit 1-2 dB at the most and bounce to tracks.
 
I use this as a guide for the amount of compression. I pick an average loudness, then compress to within a 1-2 dB, then I limit.

 
If you are only limitng 1-2db, i would imagine you are tracking too hot, no?  what is your peak before you do your temporary master?

Woodyoflop
Ha. it most likely is. Im sure someone will be along soon enough to de-bunk what i just said as well lol. As far as your process tho. It is similar. Sound has a lot do with the way you perceive it. I do also have a hearing issue, my left ear has a deadspot where i cannot hear much in the 5000 range. So my right ear makes up for it and my left might interpret the frequency more lower or higher in range. It does cause issues sometimes panning wise as u might imagine lol. Thats when i have to look at meters to make sure the right really isnt louder than the left ;) lol.

DUDE, i have the SAME problem in my ear... I want to say mine is more in the 2000 range, but still.   How did that happen to you? 

Mine was an ear infection, it hurt so bad... and it created a deadspot in my ear.  I was depressed for a long time because it effects how I hear music :(