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Another important questions.

Since I moved from my apartment into a house I've left the speakers in the cupboard and produce in HD25 MK2's. I abused the music in the last place to the point where the landlord wanted me to move out. Although to me, it wasn't loud it was to the neighbors so I've got more respect for them now.

Although, producing in headphones usually misses some frequencies. Like to me, the tune will sound good, but stick it on a computer, or someone elses speakers and certain elements sound far to loud in the mix.

I'm sure there are others with the same problem. How do you cope with it? Is it possible to mix a track at low volume, or better still master a track at low volume?

I've just had to get 1 speaker out the cupboard (Rokit 5) to mix the track before handing a sample to a few producer friends.

i keep things moderate until i want to test certain things, but i also swap between my monitors, closed back cans and open back and open back + monitors to gauge different things

It's generally a good idea to monitor at varying levels, since human frequency perception changes at different SPL's.

That said, a good standard to start with is the K-System reference used by a lot of mastering engineers. That's 85db per side. Easy way to achieve this is to get a mono pink noise sample, loop it, feed it through each speaker, and measure with an spl meter (there are a few smartphone SPL meters, otherwise your local electronic hobbyist shop should have one cheap). Adjust to 85 on each side, mark your amp settings, and you've got a pretty good reference point for what it's going to sound like when a mastering engineer gets hold of your tracks. It's also about as loud as you can go before you start getting ear fatigue quickly, which will really mess with your perception. Don't monitor loud for very long , or you won't be able to trust your ears.

Yes 85dB SPL is technically optimal. Personally I find this fatiguing over the course
of a working day so I tend around 75dB SPL. This is fine as the PMC IB1's chuck out plenty of bottom
end at this slightly reduced level.

SafeandSound Mastering
online mastering

I have overdone the db quite a bit in my day. I am getting older though and the ears aren't holding up. I tend to mix at a nice medium level now but it's still fatiguing. I can't really do the headphones thing for very long tbh. I have been lucky to find places I can rock out in. Never lived in a place where it was strictly forbidden. I am sure neighbors get pissed but for me it's not every night and the cops have not been called so fuck em.

GV1 wrote:Another important questions.

Since I moved from my apartment into a house I've left the speakers in the cupboard and produce in HD25 MK2's. I abused the music in the last place to the point where the landlord wanted me to move out. Although to me, it wasn't loud it was to the neighbors so I've got more respect for them now.

Although, producing in headphones usually misses some frequencies. Like to me, the tune will sound good, but stick it on a computer, or someone elses speakers and certain elements sound far to loud in the mix.

I'm sure there are others with the same problem. How do you cope with it? Is it possible to mix a track at low volume, or better still master a track at low volume?

I've just had to get 1 speaker out the cupboard (Rokit 5) to mix the track before handing a sample to a few producer friends.

i only have it loud when im mixing. unless im working on a low ass bass line , like sub bass then i turn it loud.

id say the best way to cope with it is mix in headfones, make 1 mix with the bass at (arbitrary number) 6 db then -6db then go to your car (or homestereo) and get a feeling for what the difference sounds like. also test it on your laptop, and earbuds as well.