Pre mastering tracking levels ...

[ptfigg]

I spend most of my time dealing with dialog and spoken word for broadcast, etc. As I begin to explore the art of mastering music -->>

I have a question in reference to optimizing levels during tracking in order to provide acceptable headroom before mastering.

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Lets say for example I have 5 or 6 tracks in a project. I will use -6dBfs as a arbitrary reference [peak] level for the mix-down before the mastering stage.

The channel reference meters in DP go as high as '+6', and I *think* if I understood some prior references here on the forum, this is sought of equivalent to 0dBfs.

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Back to my project:

Each channel has a unique level based on my intended mix. One of the channels will have a higher level than the rest.

Do I set the level for THIS channel at '0', and adjust the remaining channel levels accordingly, AND set the master fader to '0' as well before mix-down?

-or-

Do I set my highest channel level to '+6', adjust remaining channels accordingly, and simply set the master fader to '0' prior to mix- down?

Sorry if this sounds confusing. Just to be clear - what is the best method of allowing 6dB of headroom in this arbitrary example?

Thanks everyone -

-ptfigg. ny.