How loud should a song be before mastering?

[Borrowdale Barron]

What's the common RMS target before a song is mastered?

 

[Goldmidi]

There is no particular RMS target you should follow except making sure your mix is not squashed with compressors and stuff. So generally speaking between -18 dB RMS to roughly -16 dB RMS is okay for mixing. Beyond that, you are probably compressing the track too much, especially on the master bus.

 

[Borrowdale Barron]

How about using the K-14 scale for mixing is that a good idea?

 

[Goldmidi]

How about using the K-14 scale for mixing is that a good idea?

The k-14 scale for mixing is fine but avoid messing with the dynamic range too much unless that's the sound you want.

 

[Bobby]

What are the pros and cons of self-mastering?

 

[Jemba]

What are the pros and cons of self-mastering?

If your mix is great, you won't need to do much to master it. This is the key.

 

[Mr Zone]

If your mix is great, you won't need to do much to master it. This is the key.

Not really because it has to be a certain volume as well.

 

[Kato Kintu]

Not really because it has to be a certain volume as well.

Jemba is right, volume or loudness is only a brickwall limiter plugin away if you have a good mix.

 

[Mulondo]

What are the pros and cons of self-mastering?

A lot of people prefer sending their mix to a separate person to be mastered for the sake of fatigue and bias. A second set of ears will help find room for improvement in the entire track that might be overlooked by someone who has been listening to the track all week. The one mastering will also probably have different analog gear specifically for mastering. Good limiters and compressors especially. That, and multiple reference speakers to make sure the track translates well.

 

[Postman]

What are the pros and cons of self-mastering?

Good question. I'm no expert but I try to mix like there is no master. So basically I mix and worry about everything but loudness and overall polish. It's much easier to master than it is to mix. But it's much more rewarding and creative to mix. I spend like 95 percent of the time mixing and then the master is quick and easy.

 

[Vanity G]

What are the pros and cons of self-mastering?

Mix with a master bus fully engaged. When the mix is done it won't need mastering, but you can then refine it and get a little more juice.

 

[Jjunju]

What are the pros and cons of self-mastering?

It's not something you can explain in a post. I would say before you master your own mixes, you have to do it over 10 years before you develop the ear for one and the other. Cause the tricky bit is not only separating the processes but also learning to mix, having mastering in consideration.

So you try to aim for the best possible mix, but learning what you can leave behind so it then shines with the mastering stage, is something that takes years of practice. And if you're asking this question, take your mixes to a dedicated mastering engineer.

 

[Pharoah]

What are the pros and cons of self-mastering?

Mastering is a myth. Your song should sound really really good standalone.