DO NOT keep raising the fader on the stereo out (main out) way over zero level, totally distorting the song, to match the volume level of your favorite song. Remember, loudness maximization is done in mastering NOT mixing. But again, there's no reason to go over-level. Note - For the record, at times you can peak at 0 level or slightly over if its quick hits like a drum, hi-hat, etc. In your mix, never let your levels go over 0db on the stereo out (main out) meter, OR on ANY of your individual instrument or vocal tracks. How To Create Headroom Before Mastering In Your Mixes This is the ideal amount of headroom for mastering that you want to leave. This is considered +3db to +5db of headroom. The loudest part of your song (peak level) should be around -3db to -5db (below 0 level).

Dynamic range - The range between the highest level and the lowest level of the output signal. Peak level - The absolute highest level the output signal reaches.ī. There are two factors to consider when exporting your final mix for mastering:Ī. Note - It doesn't matter what DAW software you use FL Studio, Pro Tools, Logic, Reason, Cubase, Sonar or Ableton, the headroom examples and instructions apply to all of them. How much headroom before mastering should you leave in your mix? Here's the correct amount of headroom you should leave, using detailed graphic examples.

Fl studio export distortion