I've finished watching the excellent Matering in Cubase tutorial but I have a question I hope someone can help me with. I understand that each individual track should not clip before mastering, and that's how I've got mine set. I also understand that in the mastering, you set the correct plug-in to prevent the overall mix from clipping (to e.g. -0.3db) However, before mastering, the overall mix does clip on occassion even though the individual tracks don't. I guess that's because of a combination of all the audio. So my question is, should your final audio version (before mastering) not clip? If so, how is this best achieved when none of the individual tracks clip?

Hi Petearch Well I mix in Logic but the basic premise is the same across all DAWs. I never let my master output clip. If that means lowering all the levels of the individual tracks then that's what I would do. You're correct that when mixing all audio signals from all tracks are combined, so you will find that you'll be able to lower them significantly to make sure the master level never touches the red. Mostly during the mixing process it's a good idea to have your output peaking at about -6dB. this gives you enough headroom when mastering to make your final mix louder using limiters and compressors etc. Some people prefer to let their mixes peak at -3 and others lower e.g. -12dB... So it's about finding what works best for you. Remember you can always turn up your monitors to hear your mix at a higher volume, but once you clip there's a good chance that you may have distortion at that point. I know that Cubase has a different internal audio engine than Logic which may influence your decisions in this regard, but this is what I would call good general mixing/mastering practice IMHO. Hope that helps :) Rounik

Thanks Rounik, that makes sense. So if you find you have to lower each track but you're happy with the sound as it is, do you lower each track by the same amount or by ratio? I mean if one track peaks at -6db and another at -12db, do you lower them both by (say) 1db or lower the first by 1db and the second by 2db? Or do you just use your ears :)

Hi Yes in Logic and on an analog desk you'd reduce all the channels by the same relative amount. (e.g. By 1dB)... But yes you should trust your ears ;) In logic for example, I open the Mixer window and select all the channel strips and then lower one of the levels to reduce them all by the same amount. You can group channels also... Hope the helps Rounik

Oh of course, I've just remebered in Cubase you can link all the faders, then lowering one will lower the others by the same amount. That's great, thanks very much for your help again!

No problem! Keep an eye out on the blog for some mastering articles in the future... :)

Very nice thread in mastering.