Proper RMS(noob question)

[brianhood]

What do you guys do to get a proper rms reading? I've been using the Waves Paz meter on the last insert on my master fader and letting the whole song play through, but i've noticed the number varies by a few db depending on what the "response" is set it. The default is 160 i think. Do you guys just leave it at that? The lower the response, the lower the rms is reading

or am i not even in the right ball park with this thing?

 

[Lasse Lammert]

I don't have anything like that on my 2bus.
I don't see a reason for an RMS meter tbh, all that matters is that it doesn't clip and that I've got some headroom.

in Mastering I usually let the DAW analyze the waveform and show me the stats after a quick testmaster. sometimes I'm using elephant as well, it's got a pretty accurate reading, too.

but even in mastering I don't really care for RMD, since for example bass heavy material can have a very high reading and still sound softer than other stuff, mid-heavy stuff sounds louder despite a low rms etc (Fletcher Munson).

I'll compare the volumes to some reference files though to know whether I'm in the ballpark or not. Don't rely on analizers (unless they're your ears)

 

[Dom Ostarig]

i was in a tought thread on a production community about that.... i was saying there's no reason to even look at the RMS meter on the mixing step.... but the guys said that's very important, and i've decided give them attention i start to read about that...... but no conclusions. Could someone enlighten that question securely??

sorry my english