Master volume level for final mix.

Hey John,

Yeah, keep master at 0.0db and mix the rest to that, ensuring you're not getting any red clip indicators. You just don't want to exceed 0.0db - anywhere so if you have the master fader at more than 0.0db you'll be clipping into the export. To push the mix a bit you might try using the compressor on the master track. Use carefully though or you might flatten everything. But keep an eye on those clip indicators.

The master volume should only be used to turn the thing down if the phone rings for those that don't have an external volume control on an interface or breakout box.

Often I will lower the Master lever below 0db rather than adjust all the faders individually. Then I use the C3 Multi Band Compressor 1_2.component to give the final track more punch.

I must say though that when I worked in the pro world I never raised or lowered the Master fader beyond 0db. And 99 percent of the time in the digital world I never let the signal go beyond 0db. ( I did love to see those big spade tipped analog needles move around though) WOOF WOOF WOOF. 🙂

But in GB I dont see that it matters so much. I find that even if I keep the Master level at 0db I still need to use the C3 Multi Band Compressor 1_2.component on the Master track to get a nice dynamic recording out of GB.

The GB meter are so incredibly and ridiculously small that its hard to take them seriously when it comes to the real fine stuff. At least in my opinion and experience.

Actually it is very important that you do not clip the main outs or you will get a lot of noise. so if you are clipping the main outs, by all mean, bring down the volume. And yes compression is a big helper here also to keep your mix under control

I keep it at 0, and use the C3 for makeup gain.

In case you don't already have the C3 Multi Comp, it is here http://www.apulsoft.ch/

I really love the C3 Multi comp and I use it on almost every mix now but I have found that it can add distortion to the final mix if your not careful. Even if you are conservative with the meters sometimes too much bass information, or reverb on high frequencies can create distortion.

In my opinion the GB meters do not always show the full picture in the meter levels. I believe there may be times when the harmonics of a signal become distorted and of course this wont show up in an amplitude meter. But hey maybe I stay up too late playing my tracks over and over and over.

All in all I think the C3 Multil comp is definitely worth using or at least experimenting with.