I’ve spent a thousand hours producing recording and mixing on here and this just opened my eyes on some real sht, because mixes are sounding weak a f. Ty
I just want to say THANK YOU for this video! I'm no engineer, but at least now i can vibe out to my beats with better volume until fully mastered! I was pretty disappointed! I couldn't find anything on youtube as thorough as this THANK YOU!!!!
Thank you a lot! I recently started recording songs with my band and on my solo project and your videos are amazingly helpful and on point. I really appreciate your work! Huge thanks from switzerland!
Good morning Colin. I am visiting this video again to refresh myself in the mixing process and have some questions. You have on the master track of the mix two mvmeters. The first one I trust is that on peak meter readings where you have to see that the readings are between -6 to -3 db. I have done this step and the mix plays within this range at peaks. Now, you ask to add another mvmeter set to RMS Standard and, using the limiter and see that the RMS levels are at -10 or as near to that as possible. After this gets done, when I use the limiter to scale up the volume, the music becomes squashed by the time I raise it up by 7 db or so. Fine. But the problem is that when I look at the RMS statndard values, the meter shows 17 -20 rms units but doesn't approach 10.
You forgot to link the meter thingy. Very useful tips. I developed a habit of cranking the limiter til the master track was on the verge of clipping and didn't think there would be sonic consequences
I'm a bit confused. Though I have understood your teaching as to how to reach -10 RMS standard level or any level that sounds good by using the limiter's gain, when we are to turn off the limiter on the master track when exporting the mix, then, doesn't the volume of the exported file becomes low as before we did this step?
Hi Dr. Somanna! That is correct- if you are exporting just to listen to your mix and make any notes, exporting with the limiter on is the best way to approach it. If you are exporting your final mix to be mastered, you should turn off the limiter because limiting is a stage in the mastering process. I hope that makes sense!
@@TheBandGuide Thanks my Teacher. Understood your teaching and appreciate your approach in making your GB's living waters free of charge🙏. Until I heard from you, I did not even bother to assess the finished mix for further improvements before finalising the mix for mastering. Didn't even know that one has to do it. For the past two weeks I have been spending my time on just one song, trying to do the mixing and mastering according to your teaching. I hope that gradually, over a period of time, I will be in a position to better understand the matter; Then I will be able to edit my audios in a shorter frame of time with a better output I was capable of in the past.
for some reason, when I increase the gain like the video talks about, the master track is peaking and going into the red area. any help would be appreciated.
Supremely helpful! A question for you: I'm currently using the Youlean loudness meter to keep my mix volume in check, and I've tuned the vol to around -14dB integrated, but when I pass that through mwMeter the RMS is sitting around -15... so which one do I follow? Many thanks!
Great question! This is exactly where metering gets tricky. I would try to get your RMS meter closer. There’s a little flex in LUFS (they can be as low as -7) but you want to use your ears to make sure the track is still sounding good to you as you push into the limiter that much. I hope that helps!
I’ve never used the limiter, I’ve just been setting the Mvmeter to have the Master arrive around -10db to -9db in the loudest part of the song. Will that also have the same consequence of sounding “thin”? I haven’t noticed. Thanks for the great videos!
@@CameronPriceJ Without a limiter on the master track, it is likely peaking at some points if it's hitting -10db RMS! Instead, I'd recommend setting mvmeter on "peak standard" and aiming for -6db to -3db in the loudest part of the song
I downloaded the mvmeter2 app on my Macbook but when I choose audio units>tbsoftware>mvmeter, I just get a big dialog to adjust multiple settings. I chose RMS meter mode, but when I click the plugin button I don't get the meter, only the same dialog box. What am I missing? I have an intel Iris Plus Graphics card so I downloaded the GFX version of the plugin. At least I was able to adjust the limiter, but just by ear.
Hello,I’m new to garageband and your videos help me a lot.Quick question why when i click on any pluggins in a track i can’t see the buttons down showing in the output and eq thing,can you help me find them please.🙏🏾
Thank you! If I understand correctly, I think you’re looking for the plugin list? If you hit “B” on your keyboard it brings up your smart window. In the bottom left of that there is a drop down menu for plugins you can click on that will show you any plugins on that track. Let me know if that helps!
@@TheBandGuide I do know where the list of pluggins are,what happen is like the blue rectangle you have when you add another track and click on b you have all the buttons to change settings and everything but mine doesn’t show up...😢 For instance when you click on a track you can see down below in yours effects/Output/EQ and you have all the knobs to change settings.My garageband doesn’t have them,how can you help me find them.
Perhaps it's a dumb question. What's the relationship between the volume knobs on each track, the one on top right and the one on the master track. When you mix and listen aren't you listening to the master track output or is mastering another step and chnages the volume again. Thanks Band Guide... For all your help
Great question! The volume knobs on each track control the volume of the that track going into the master track. The master track is the output volume of ALL of your tracks. I ignore the volume on the master track and keep it set at exactly 0. SOMETIMES I'll automate the master track volume for effect if it's not going to push my total volume too loud. I'm no 100% sure, but I THINK the volume in the top right is just an output independent of anything going on in your mix
You have me super confused though with the metering. For those of us recording real drums, what numbers do I need to worry about. Do I use VU, Peak, RMS for real drums? Master track? Should there be no red what so ever? How do you make it to where there is no red without making the mix super quiet
When you are recording you want no red whatsoever! For most recording I recommend using the VU meter to set your recording level. Drums are a bit unique in that they are all transients (big spikes), so VU isn't going to accurately capture it (VU reads the volume level over a short period so it might not accurately reflect the big peak). I would use the Peak meter and be looking for -10db to -6db (at the loudest) Master track you want the peak meter and you are looking for -6 to -3db at the loudest. It's okay if your mix sounds quiet at this stage- that's what the limiter is for and what mastering is for. If it sounds too quiet to you while mixing, turn it up in your headphones!
I’m sorry to hear that! The lack of master track processing seems to be one of the biggest hang ups on iOS. I’m not as familiar with GB iOS though- it’s definitely still amazing
‼️ Download the free 6-Step Checklist here: www.thebandguide.com/6stepPROmix ‼️
I’ve spent a thousand hours producing recording and mixing on here and this just opened my eyes on some real sht, because mixes are sounding weak a f. Ty
Thanks for taking the time, man. Very easy to follow. I like the way you show step by step.
I just want to say THANK YOU for this video! I'm no engineer, but at least now i can vibe out to my beats with better volume until fully mastered! I was pretty disappointed! I couldn't find anything on youtube as thorough as this THANK YOU!!!!
Great lesson my friend. You just solved one of my main problems. Much appreciated
Glad to hear it!
Thank you a lot!
I recently started recording songs with my band and on my solo project and your videos are amazingly helpful and on point. I really appreciate your work!
Huge thanks from switzerland!
That's so awesome! I'm glad I can help- and stoked to hear what you do with it!
So helpful! Thank you! :)
You sir are a legend for this
🙌🏼
awesome video , thank you for the help
Thank you so much! Did you ever do a video on how to get to that magic number by mastering?
Excellent video!!! Just what I needed
Thank you sir
Thank you so much very insightfully helpful
cant thank you enough for these
I’m glad they are helping!
Good morning Colin. I am visiting this video again to refresh myself in the mixing process and have some questions. You have on the master track of the mix two mvmeters. The first one I trust is that on peak meter readings where you have to see that the readings are between -6 to -3 db. I have done this step and the mix plays within this range at peaks. Now, you ask to add another mvmeter set to RMS Standard and, using the limiter and see that the RMS levels are at -10 or as near to that as possible. After this gets done, when I use the limiter to scale up the volume, the music becomes squashed by the time I raise it up by 7 db or so. Fine. But the problem is that when I look at the RMS statndard values, the meter shows 17 -20 rms units but doesn't approach 10.
very helpful!!!
I have a question when mixing you don’t want to hit the red right? And also don’t u leave a little space on the mix for the master?
You forgot to link the meter thingy. Very useful tips. I developed a habit of cranking the limiter til the master track was on the verge of clipping and didn't think there would be sonic consequences
Thank you for catching that! I just added it to the description.
If I crank the gain in limiter.. it has no effect on the MvMeter.. it stays around the -12..? What am I doing wrong?
I downloaded the mvMeter and it’s my first plugin but it doesn’t have any other options like RMS standard, what am I doing wrong?
same question
I know everybody already said it, but thanks bruh.
if I didn't have the ev meter plugin what other stock plugin would you suggest that's already on garage band
I'm a bit confused. Though I have understood your teaching as to how to reach -10 RMS standard level or any level that sounds good by using the limiter's gain, when we are to turn off the limiter on the master track when exporting the mix, then, doesn't the volume of the exported file becomes low as before we did this step?
Hi Dr. Somanna! That is correct- if you are exporting just to listen to your mix and make any notes, exporting with the limiter on is the best way to approach it. If you are exporting your final mix to be mastered, you should turn off the limiter because limiting is a stage in the mastering process. I hope that makes sense!
@@TheBandGuide Thanks my Teacher. Understood your teaching and appreciate your approach in making your GB's living waters free of charge🙏. Until I heard from you, I did not even bother to assess the finished mix for further improvements before finalising the mix for mastering. Didn't even know that one has to do it. For the past two weeks I have been spending my time on just one song, trying to do the mixing and mastering according to your teaching. I hope that gradually, over a period of time, I will be in a position to better understand the matter; Then I will be able to edit my audios in a shorter frame of time with a better output I was capable of in the past.
@@TheBandGuide that actually makes sense thanks
for some reason, when I increase the gain like the video talks about, the master track is peaking and going into the red area. any help would be appreciated.
why is the master track a midi-track?
I signed up but never got the pdf :-(
Supremely helpful! A question for you: I'm currently using the Youlean loudness meter to keep my mix volume in check, and I've tuned the vol to around -14dB integrated, but when I pass that through mwMeter the RMS is sitting around -15... so which one do I follow? Many thanks!
Great question! This is exactly where metering gets tricky. I would try to get your RMS meter closer. There’s a little flex in LUFS (they can be as low as -7) but you want to use your ears to make sure the track is still sounding good to you as you push into the limiter that much. I hope that helps!
How the hell do you put in a master track tab along with your other recorded things
I’ve never used the limiter, I’ve just been setting the Mvmeter to have the Master arrive around -10db to -9db in the loudest part of the song. Will that also have the same consequence of sounding “thin”? I haven’t noticed. Thanks for the great videos!
Great question! What setting do you have the mvmeter on?
@@TheBandGuide Thank you,
RMS Standard just on the loudest part of the track
@@CameronPriceJ Without a limiter on the master track, it is likely peaking at some points if it's hitting -10db RMS! Instead, I'd recommend setting mvmeter on "peak standard" and aiming for -6db to -3db in the loudest part of the song
@@TheBandGuide excellent, I’ll give that a go with the track I’m working on Thanks for all the help!
Won’t let me add plug-in
I downloaded the mvmeter2 app on my Macbook but when I choose audio units>tbsoftware>mvmeter, I just get a big dialog to adjust multiple settings. I chose RMS meter mode, but when I click the plugin button I don't get the meter, only the same dialog box. What am I missing? I have an intel Iris Plus Graphics card so I downloaded the GFX version of the plugin. At least I was able to adjust the limiter, but just by ear.
Hello,I’m new to garageband and your videos help me a lot.Quick question why when i click on any pluggins in a track i can’t see the buttons down showing in the output and eq thing,can you help me find them please.🙏🏾
Thank you! If I understand correctly, I think you’re looking for the plugin list? If you hit “B” on your keyboard it brings up your smart window. In the bottom left of that there is a drop down menu for plugins you can click on that will show you any plugins on that track. Let me know if that helps!
@@TheBandGuide I do know where the list of pluggins are,what happen is like the blue rectangle you have when you add another track and click on b you have all the buttons to change settings and everything but mine doesn’t show up...😢 For instance when you click on a track you can see down below in yours effects/Output/EQ and you have all the knobs to change settings.My garageband doesn’t have them,how can you help me find them.
Ah! Are you working on midi tracks by chance? You only see this type of screen when you’re working on audio files!
Perhaps it's a dumb question. What's the relationship between the volume knobs on each track, the one on top right and the one on the master track. When you mix and listen aren't you listening to the master track output or is mastering another step and chnages the volume again. Thanks Band Guide... For all your help
Great question! The volume knobs on each track control the volume of the that track going into the master track. The master track is the output volume of ALL of your tracks. I ignore the volume on the master track and keep it set at exactly 0. SOMETIMES I'll automate the master track volume for effect if it's not going to push my total volume too loud.
I'm no 100% sure, but I THINK the volume in the top right is just an output independent of anything going on in your mix
@@TheBandGuide thanks this is helpful
Can no longer download the plug in. Website won't load for me.
I believe they were just doing site maintenance! It’s back up now
I think 🤔 this is where me and my friend went wrong when recording my first 4 singles.
Just to clarify, it's best to not leave the limiter ON before exporting the mix file to be mastered?
Correct! You'll be limiting in the mastering session, so I would turn it OFF here.
How did you get the master track separated on there?
i was told you could get me higher
How are you able to have more than 5 plug-ins? Plus to get the setting for RMS Standard? Is there more plug-ins that I need to install?
On the blue plug-in icons hover your mouse just over the tippy top of the highest blue rectangle and click
bruh i can’t download cus my max don’t have intel…. i’m so mad
What should I do after I apply the limiter??
how to you add the master track at the end ?
You have me super confused though with the metering. For those of us recording real drums, what numbers do I need to worry about. Do I use VU, Peak, RMS for real drums? Master track?
Should there be no red what so ever? How do you make it to where there is no red without making the mix super quiet
When you are recording you want no red whatsoever! For most recording I recommend using the VU meter to set your recording level. Drums are a bit unique in that they are all transients (big spikes), so VU isn't going to accurately capture it (VU reads the volume level over a short period so it might not accurately reflect the big peak). I would use the Peak meter and be looking for -10db to -6db (at the loudest)
Master track you want the peak meter and you are looking for -6 to -3db at the loudest.
It's okay if your mix sounds quiet at this stage- that's what the limiter is for and what mastering is for. If it sounds too quiet to you while mixing, turn it up in your headphones!
Thanks! I downloaded the mvMeter but I can't seem to add it to the plug in. How do I get it into GarageBand after downloading it?
You might need to enable audio unit plugins! From your top menu select GarageBand>Preferences>Audio/Midi then click "Enable Audio Units"
Hi Colin I have just downloaded the Mvmeter 2 but it doesnt showup in my garageband. what can i do? thank you!
I’ve noticed I often have to restart my computer to get it to show up in GB!
Is it another way? The mv meter not showing up on my computer after restarting it
You might need to enable audio unit plugins! From your top menu select GarageBand>Preferences>Audio/Midi then click "Enable Audio Units"
hi colin, can i do this on Ios ipad garageband?
I'm not as familiar with GB iOS so I'm not positive!
No offense but I don’t listen to music like this but that song ima start can I get the link to the song 🔥
Heyyy that’s high praise! It’s my band, Broke Royals ruclips.net/video/HL2hszYgcBw/видео.html
Hi , how to new master track open ?
Are you on macOS or iOS?
Why doesn't my mvMeter2 have any presets? There's no RMS Standard.
I’m not sure! Are you still having this issue?
@@TheBandGuide same question ?
Why has no one told me ab this
You can’t download on your iPhone
I’m sorry to hear that! The lack of master track processing seems to be one of the biggest hang ups on iOS. I’m not as familiar with GB iOS though- it’s definitely still amazing
It’s never sounds good without real drums