I have got two questions!

[Arash NavidParticipant]

Hi everyone!

01 - What I do for every mix I do is not allowing the Master Level pass more than -6dB. Should I apply Limiter in the Master Channel to send it to the customers to hear it with the loud sound or there is alternative?

02 - At some points, when I finish the Mastering I hear Hiss noise at the first and end of the song and of course I believe the noise affects on the whole track. I turn the Analog off on Waves plugins as well. What should I do to avoid this problem?

Really appreciate if you answer to my questions.
Best,
Arash

[Magnus EmilssonParticipant]

Hello Arash.

1. As long as that headroom works for your process that's fine. It might be overdoing it a bit though, at least to my mind, I usually aim for -2 to -3.
I would at least add a limiter, set the output to -1 db and crank it 6 db (your headroom). You want your mix to sound close to as loud as everything else on their computer, or you will run the risk of the client thinking it's not "powerful" enough. If you can get the mix to -13 db LUFS you should be fine.

2. Weird, check all your plugins and tracks, some plugins such as tape & delays have built in noise or hiss generators, make sure everything like that is disabled, and if you want the color from those maybe automate them. Also check that you don't have tracks with mic'ed silence running. What DAW are you using?
But if the hiss isn't perceivable when the music starts. Crop the file before sending it, no one wants a finished mastered file with a second of silence at the start and end these days anyways.

Hope it helps in some sense.

/Magnus

[Arash NavidParticipant]

Hi Magnus,
Thank you for your answers. I really appreciate it.
For the 2nd question, I use Logic Pro X. I'll try the techniques for the next Friday Feedback to see how it goes.
Cheers,
Arash

[Guido tum SudenKeymaster]

Hi Arash,
01) -6 dB is fine for mixing, but probably too low for customers. Do some sort of mastering before you give it to someone to listen, like Magnus recommended.

02) Take time to switch off every single plugin in Logic and see which one creates the hiss. Sometimes it's only one, sometimes it's the accumulation of several plugins.
Look especially for plugins that simulate hardware. Maybe you left an amp emulation running without a gate? If you found it, please tell, I'm curious.

Guido

[Matt GrahamParticipant]

As Guido stated, check the plugs, Some of the ANALOG settings cause this but turning them off will lose some character which you clearly wanted.
On your master track use Volume Automation in Logic at the intro and outro if you prefer. I have done this many times as the hiss is only evident when all the music is not playing. Your Automation moves need to be MACRO tight ZOOM in as far as you can and ride up just before your first Transient at the head of the track. Play around and see if you can accomplish what I am taking a very long time to explain. LOL

Hit me up if you can't, we can connect and work it out!

Matt

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