RMS vs Peak and Track Referencing

[bigdaveo11]

Hey guys,

I have two quick question in regards to referencing other tracks. Recently I have been putting a reference track on an audio channel in my arrangement to constantly switch back and forth between to check my original levels. I know the track has been mastered so my questions are as follows...

1. how do I go about matching the loudness levels? Obviously by ear is my best bet but is there a method to match them somewhat close using the level fader which leads my to my next question 2. regarding comparisons between RMS and peak levels when trying to get your tracks to sound similar to professional tracks, granted they have been professionally mastered so I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to even be concerned with RMS/peak levels of reference tracks.

Apologies if these questions seem confusing, as I am having trouble stating exactly what it is I am trying to ask.

Appreciate your time.

[ehbes]

Are you comparing your mix to a mastered track?

[didi]

Whack the reference track into your daw. Route it to a free mixer channel and set the faders so that it has a matched subjective loudness level to the track you're making.

Then mix to match the power, and quality of the mix. This way your ear won't be fooled into thinking the channel with the greater subjective volume is the better mix.

Once you've matched the punchiness and the power of your pro track, give it to your ME, and reap the rewards.

[bigdaveo11]

yup^ what I was trying to accomplish. Helps me get the relative levels of the instruments "right" and match punchiness/power. I was just unsure about how to match the volume levels and bring the mastered track down to what level? I know its a by ear process but was wondering if peak/RMS had anything to do with it and if numbers could give me a ballpark range ya know??

Anyways thanks guys.

[mitchAUS]

was wondering if peak/RMS had anything to do with it and if numbers could give me a ballpark range ya know??

Yeah rms should get you close, but subjective loudness isn't a hard thing to work out by ear. Be careful what you use as a reference track tho. I wouldn't bother with something thats been brick walled to the high heavens. Decisions are far more transparent IMO, if your reference track has retained a lot of dynamic range even after mastering. Voxengo span has a meter mode where it shows dynamic range in the metre. Can be a useful tool in confirming what you think your hearing.

[e-motion]

Yeah for mixing, RMS all the way. Using peak levels, your track will sound like shit because it ain't mastered, so it will be much lower in loudness than the other (and louder = better psychoaccoustically).

[bigdaveo11]

Good points, thanks guys. Did not know that about Voxengo, sounds very useful.

[mitchAUS]

Good points, thanks guys. Did not know that about Voxengo, sounds very useful.

And it's free