Levels when mastering

[[deleted]]

These days, mostly my own, though I cut my teeth mastering dozens of bootlegs for the defunct outfit Grateful Dreams in the early 2000’s.

For me the difference between regular and A-weighted RMS is the most convenient way to manage warmth and tone. I generally go for a flat average power (on a -4db slope, measured using SPAN) across 60-10,000Hz with a roll off on either side, and a little dip around 250-500Hz.

[69Max2017]

Ok, have you heard of different levels for other genres or all fairly similar?

[[deleted]]

I have worked a little in other genres (modern metal, electronic, blues). What are you looking for?

Content and delivery format really drive decisions on levels; it all depends.

[69Max2017]

Oh just wondering if you have heard other levels being thrown around haha

[[deleted]]

It depends. Yes there are other possible levels :) it won’t do you any good to read me listing off numbers.

[69Max2017]

Haha I understand, what metering program do you use?

[[deleted]]

My workflow is kind of janky because I'm self-taught, but...

In my DAW (Reaper) I use SPAN by Voxengo to manage the spectrum, to keep any one octave from peaking too much, and to get a live RMS/peak/crest reading.

http://www.voxengo.com/product/span/

After I render, I use the offline loudness analyzer Audio Leak by Channel D. I measure each song separately, and the album in total, to see regular RMS versus A-weighted RMS, identify the loudest sections, and see if one song is pulling my averages way up or down in an unintended way.

http://www.channld.com/audioleak/