Comments on: Keep Your Mixes Consistent by Using a Reference

By: Brian Hazard

Brian Hazard — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 22:31:49 +0000

Just plopped down the $5.99 for the iPhone app. There are a number of them (one for $19.99!), but “SPL” has solid reviews and the price is fair. It’s showing about 5 dB hotter than my Radio Shack meter, but I see it can be calibrated.

I just use that Neuropa track as my reference point on everything. It’s drilled into my brain.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:20:57 +0000

If you’re one of the legion of drones (like me) with an iPhone, you can get a pretty decent SPL meter app. It’s possible to A-weight and C-weight, it’s nice and readable, and when I A/Bed against another SPL it gave the same answer. Plus it’s fun to just whip out my phone and take SPL readings anywhere.

I’ve got a few IO snapshots set up with my outputs calibrated to K-12 and K-14. That way when I need to work loud or quiet, I can adjust my front panel volume knob, but if I need to work K-14, then I’ll set the knob to a designated notch, fire up the mixer snapshot et voila, my C-weighted pink noise comes out at 83db. Makes it really handy for auditioning reference mixes. Granted, nto everyone has a digitally controlled IO that allows gain templates, but it’s not terribly hard to do with most off-the-shelf hardware.

While you’re right that you can’t always force K-12 or K-14 on clients, it at least becomes a nice reference point when starting out.

By: Brian Hazard

Brian Hazard — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:29:00 +0000

It sounds like we both agree that it’s important to monitor at a consistent level, and have to adjust our monitor gain on a project-by-project (or in your example, genre-by-genre) basis to achieve that. As much as I’d like to sometimes, I can’t simply force a K-12 standard on my clients. The levels of the stuff I work with don’t conform to any standard, so I have to adjust my monitors to match. The final volume of a master depends on how the material responds to the peak limiter, and the taste of the client. Of course, the monitor level stays the same throughout the session, so I can tell if a song is too quiet or too loud.

By: Justin

Justin — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:44:36 +0000

I was considering calibration as measuring something against a standardized reference.

Using the reference pink noise that I linked to above, your monitor calibration would be at the K-20 standard. Turning your monitors down for the rock track 8dB would put your monitor calibration at the K-12 standard. If the rock track is too loud at this monitor setting, the track is way over compressed + make-up gain.

I like having a consistent monitor level because then I know when something is too loud or too quiet and not have to second guess myself (unless I’m listening for way too long). It makes mixing track volumes so much easier and faster.

I don’t master other people’s work though, so please do what works for you. =)

By: Brian Hazard

Brian Hazard — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:03:41 +0000

Thanks Justin! I read Bob’s book awhile back and learned a lot of interesting things. He regularly participates in a couple of mastering forums I visit, and I appreciate what he’s trying to accomplish with establishing the K-System standard. It’s been awhile since I read the article you referenced, but I definitely have read it at least once.

Yes, I’m suggesting that you measure the sound of whatever audio you are working on at the time. If I mastered everything to, say, the K-12 standard, then I suppose I could calibrate my monitors and never touch the volume knob again. But my level varies according to what I’m working on, and obviously I mix at a much lower level than mastering, since there is no peak limiting involved.

Perhaps I’m misunderstanding your suggestion. Could you elaborate on how calibrating your monitors to a set standard precludes the need to adjust your monitor gain on a project-by-project basis? If I start my day mastering an orchestral soundtrack and then move to rock in the afternoon, don’t I need to turn it down?

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:50:12 +0000

Hi Brian,

I believe you forgot one important thing: what sound are you measuring? It doesn’t make sense to pick any audio you are working on at the time.

You can download a -20dBFS RMS Pink Noise WAV file from Bob Katz here: http://www.digido.com/media/downloads/category/1-general.html

Play this and this alone when you are measuring SPL to calibrate your monitors.

Also, Katz’s Level Practices in Digital Audio Part 2 is a must read: http://www.digido.com/media/articles-and-demos/13-bob-katz/21-level-practices-part-2-includes-the-k-system.html

By: Brian Hazard

Brian Hazard — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:28:06 +0000

I don’t know of any reliable way to calibrate the volume on headphones. I can usually get into the 82-88 dB range without checking the meter on my monitors, so I bet I’m working at a safe level on phones too. I suppose you could work on monitors at 85 dB, then switch to headphones. After a bit, go back to monitors and see how loud they seem in comparison. Bouncing back and forth like that can be disorienting though. If you find yourself wanting to turn up the volume every few minutes, or your ears ring when you finish a session, that’s obviously too loud.

By: Brian Hazard

Brian Hazard — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:01:04 +0000

Don’t worry Chuck! I’ve only got four “mix tips” articles planned, with dozens of promotion topics lined up. I’m humbled that you’ve implemented so many of the the techniques discussed here.

By: NJM

NJM — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:57:16 +0000

This makes me wonder about mixing with headphones. That 85 db spl, is that sound pressure in an open room? Does that change if you cover your ears?
I think you make a great point about keeping a reference.
I was listening to some of your songs again, referencing the track you posted, and I would say you’ve found the sound your going for.
Excellent post.

By: Randall

Randall — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:15:13 +0000

I didn’t know Radio Shack sells anything but phones these days.