How do i know the value of my faders?

[professorlamp]

I was about to try out ahjteams suggestion on making tracks sound bigger and there's one part thats got me stumped

'bring up the bass first and keep that as a benchmark. Have it fucking slammed against the compressor and put it so that the peaks hit at -18dBFS and never move it again.'



How do i know where -18 db's is?

edit : I tried bringing my fader down to -18 but that doesnt seem like what he was talking about, think i realise hes talking about the threshold of the compressor now, god i feel stupid.

Im going to feel more stupid if that isnt the answer

 

[P-E]

-18 on the fader (EDIT : METER, SORRY ). So it peaks on it, loudest hit is at -18. If it normally is at, let's say, -8, bring it down 10dB and start mixing from there, bringing the other faders down.

 

[professorlamp]

ok thanks!

 

[ahjteam]

not -18dB on the fader, but maximum peaks at -18dB on the meters

In this picture in the "Wave" (the first track) the peak is at -12.8

 

[Force666]

In this picture in the "Wave" (the first track) the peak is at -12.8

Are you sure?

 

[ahjteam]

fuuuuuuuuuuuu! copied it to my server:

 

[professorlamp]

Ok thanks that's helped alot more , one question though do you ever have your stuff pass unity on the mixer? I thought that was just for outboard gear that it was a big nono

 

[ahjteam]

Ok thanks that's helped alot more , one question though do you ever have your stuff pass unity on the mixer? I thought that was just for outboard gear that it was a big nono

I don't understand the question. I pass everything in balance to the mixer. With digital it doesn't matter where the fader is as there is no quality loss.

 

[P-E]

not -18dB on the fader, but maximum peaks at -18dB on the meters

Hahaha, that's what I meant.

 

[professorlamp]

ahjteam you answered my question without realisintg 'there is no quality loss' thanks again!