starting volume of new tracks

When I start a new track, I like to put it at around -6db to give myself some extra headroom, is there a way to change the default?

Thanks,

Yes I'm referring to the output level of the track.

So say I insert a new synth, I want the output level to start at -6db, instead of 0 db.

you want it to be less than that. -12 to -18, assuming you are going to have more than 4 tracks in the project as a whole.

"you want it to be less than that. -12 to -18"

Thanks for the tip


As regards to track templates, I thought that was only if you wanted say like 10 audio tracks at the start etc.

But I don't know which synths I'm going to use for each project.

Could you be kind enough to explain he benefit? I just kinda figured it better to capture the signal hot (but not peaking into the red zone) then I cound always turn it down as needed.

0dbvu = 18dbFS

Your analogue gear (mic pre's etc) should be designed to work optimally at 0dbu (+4) (at the point where it's putting out 1.2volts (thereabouts)).

With 24bit recording you have enough finesse in the way the data is written and enough headroom such that you don't have to go near the top of the digital meter, as we all know digital distortion (overs) sounds horrible.

By tracking with a sensible input level you get the best performance out of your analogue gear, you also leave enough headroom in your mixbuss such that you can do all sorts of processing and not have to turn the buss / master down to get it all back in under 0dbfs before conversion.

There are a number of other arguments to support this approach relating to 'intersample peaks' and issues of clipping fixed point numbers in plugins before returning to floating point streams, which I don't pretend to understand! The bottom line however is that you're less likely to encounter these if you use the headroom provided by a modern system as it's intended i.e. as headroom!

Cheers
Child