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Ok dumb noob question I know...but Ive only been taking mixing seriously for a little less than a year.

Anyhow, I didn't even really think that it mattered. But I remembered reading SOMEWHERE that u NEVER have the master fader higher than the channel faders. or was it VICE VERSA?

Lol...there were reasons behind the rule too and Im feeling pretty dumb that I forgot. Currently mixing a project and really want to know more about this.

Thanks!

Comments

Ripeart Fri, 06/24/2011 - 00:00

It's really what works for you. There are very few absolutes. Absolutes meaning: clipping is bad, etc...

I can't think of any instance where your relative fader settings can be detrimental or helpful based on the setting alone as it's compared to other fader settings- even if it's the mastfade.

Something that I've learned is that while you don't want to record too hot in digital land, you don't want too record too low either. The sweet spot is larger than analog but there is still noise floor to consider. If your finding yourself constantly pushing faders up into headroom land than you may want to consider tracking a bit hotter overall.

For me anything above unity i consider headroom for peaks and such.

bouldersound Fri, 06/24/2011 - 00:55

JLiRD808, post: 373239 wrote: But I remembered reading SOMEWHERE that u NEVER have the master fader higher than the channel faders....or was it VICE VERSA???!!

Forget you ever read this. Put the faders where they need to be for a good mix. Note, however, that if the master fader is way above or below the 0 mark it could indicate a gain structure problem upstream. Same can be true of channel faders though there are cases where some may end up rather low. For what it's worth, I pretty much never move my master fader off 0.

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