How to get my bounce to a target RMS for mastering?

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Level 1

35 points

How to get my bounce to a target RMS for mastering?

Need some help in the final stages of this project. The mastering engineer wants the stereo track to level out at around -15db RMS so we have enough headroom to play with. My problem is I don't see a way to measure this in Logic. I put the metering tool on the Output 1-2 channel and adjusting the fader on the Output or Master fader does nothing to affect this. How I can properly meter my Master output to target it at the level I need?

20" Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66 iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8), Logic Studio, Apogee Duet, Oxygen49

Posted on Aug 15, 2009 9:16 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 15, 2009 9:40 AM in response to AecDuck

You probably have Pre Fade metering set. There is a place to change it in the menus at top (I'm not by my music computer) Use the Output 1-2 fader to hit the level you need.

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Answer 2

Aug 15, 2009 9:46 AM in response to AecDuck

I put the metering tool on the Output 1-2 channel and adjusting the fader on the Output or Master fader does nothing to affect this.

Because your insert is pre-fade.

You could accomplish this by routing all your 1-2 outputs to a bus instead, which in turn is output to your mix bus. This will give you control of the input to your mix bus output channel.

Or you could download this:

http://www.sonalksis.com/index.php?section_id=99

It's free and excellent. You can then use this to trim your mix bus output level.

The mastering engineer wants the stereo track to level out at around -15db RMS

Are you sure? Is he talking about peak or average RMS? From M.E.s who I've used mostly ask for about -6 dbFS peaks.

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Answer 3

Aug 15, 2009 12:40 PM in response to John Alcock

On you master outs, in the top slot, insert a gain plugin. In the second slot, insert the level meter set to RMS. Adjust the gain plugin 'til the RMS level is as you want it. If you then have peaks going over Odb, you can insert a limiter in the second slot and move the meter down a slot.

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Answer 4

AecDuck Author

Level 1

35 points

Aug 15, 2009 4:48 PM in response to AecDuck

Thanks people. I couldn't find an option to make a post fader plugin so I used the third idea and kept my faders at zero and used the gain plugin with the meter right after it. Works great.

I talked to the engineer for clarification, the -15db is an average, while avoiding any peaks above 0.0. As long as there was no clipping or distortion of any kind mostly.

I'm gonna bounce a couple of these using the gain plugin and see how it sounds.

Edit: By the way... does bouncing in real time or offline make any difference? I'm not using any third-party plugins and I can't really hear a difference.

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Answer 5

Aug 15, 2009 9:31 PM in response to AecDuck

There is no difference in the resulting file between on and off line bounces.

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Answer 6

Eriksimon

Level 6

15,428 points

Aug 16, 2009 12:26 AM in response to Data Stream Studio

Online bounce is a feature for those who use external (sound)modules in their setup. External sources cannot be bounced offline.

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Answer 7

AecDuck Author

Level 1

35 points

Aug 17, 2009 2:51 PM in response to Eriksimon

That makes sense, thank you.

Got the mastering done yesterday, it sounds GREAT and the engineer said the levels were perfect. Thank you everyone for all your help with this project!

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