how loud should a typical track be........?

[Dubsta]

When mastering a track....how loud should you aim to get a track so its average volume matches other tracks.......? in terms of db.

[Russla-DJ]

0db peak. My advice would be to stick a professionally mastered track into your DAW and A-B them

[Dubsta]

good idea...so could i stick them into cubase for example and then rise or lower the master volumn to match??

[modern]

Between -6db and 0db, I'm sure. Put a db meter on your master channel and just go from there.

[gingerDoe]

sub bass should be atleast -7.5db to -3db at peak.... kick drum,it should be -6db to 0db

look at pro tunes,the sub bass from dillinja in stealth remix peaks at 0db,dj Heist,Jayline and other super loud dnb artists have kick drums that clip over 0db

[Nydus]

Really quiet tracks can still peak at 0dB. You need to A/B with an RMS meter, this determines average loudness.

[Russla-DJ]

sub bass should be atleast -7.5db to -3db at peak.... kick drum,it should be -6db to 0db

look at pro tunes,the sub bass from dillinja in stealth remix peaks at 0db,dj Heist,Jayline and other super loud dnb artists have kick drums that clip over 0db

Ermm not for mastering, thats approx for mixdowns, dont confuse the situ :P And even so thats completely wrong, the sub should always peak a couple to 3db above the kick and snare.

[ApeCat]

look at pro tunes,the sub bass from dillinja in stealth remix peaks at 0db,dj Heist,Jayline and other super loud dnb artists have kick drums that clip over 0db

Outside of the studio / production arena, won't this be completely subjective?

[neddez]

Really quiet tracks can still peak at 0dB. You need to A/B with an RMS meter, this determines average loudness.

this

[lostnthesound]

Outside of the studio / production arena, won't this be completely subjective?

Indeed, because the audio is no longer confined to the restrictions of the digital realm and/or Nyquist.

And Nydus is correct–it's all about RMS and proper metering; Hence, why I use the invaluable K-Meter.

Cheers.

[Sammy Dexcell]

All depends on how well you've mixdown the track before the export.

I tend to level everything so its sittin nice at -6db then export and limit to 0db if you've been mixing down each element correctly and at the right levels etc then thats all that really needs doing?
Plus depending on whether its a personal track or one for a label/remix it will need to go off for mastering and there's nothing a mastering studio likes more than an already pushed tune with no headroom left! So get used to exporting at -6db with no fx on the master

Its cliche to say but use your ears when pushing your track, and know your system and how other tunes sound on it.

[lostnthesound]

All depends on how well you've mixdown the track before the export.

I tend to level everything so its sittin nice at -6db then export and limit to 0db if you've been mixing down each element correctly and at the right levels etc then thats all that really needs doing?
Plus depending on whether its a personal track or one for a label/remix it will need to go off for mastering and there's nothing a mastering studio likes more than an already pushed tune with no headroom left! So get used to exporting at -6db with no fx on the master

Its cliche to say but use your ears when pushing your track, and know your system and how other tunes sound on it.

Well said!

On a side note, your tunes are absolutely killer!

[subprime]

So has anyone checked out the rms on a pro tune yet? -7/ -8db rms seems as loud as I can push anything with my shonky mixing so I guess pros can get louder.

[Sammy Dexcell]

Well said!

On a side note, your tunes are absolutely killer!

Nice one man!! big up!

So has anyone checked out the rms on a pro tune yet? -7/ -8db rms seems as loud as I can push anything with my shonky mixing so I guess pros can get louder.

I got a bad habit of checkin Ram and Noisia tunes when comparing shit an i mean, both these camps have godly powers at mixdowns.Saying that i know for a fact they are not mastering at home and have either sent out to a proper studio or have a sick enough setup to achieve it.

That being said dust up is averaging at -3ish and troglodyte is about the same.

Ive never ever paid attention to this shit until tonight lol just checked a bunch of our tracks and they are averaging at about -3 to -5 so looks like we need to start keeping an eye on that!!
Thanks op! I learnt something today

[whosblong]

It's not RAM's loudness that I'm impressed with. It's how they can get so much stereo width and keep things tight.