VU Meter Example Setup Level for Kick and Bass

General

• Summing 2 Nearly Identical Loud Elements will Boost the Level About +3dB

• e.g. Adding a Signal at -6dB + Another Signal at -6dB will Output to Around -3dB 

– this Trick Quasi Builds the Foundation of the Mix Down and Should be Used as the First Task when Start Mixing

Workflow

1) Put a VU Meter on the Main Mix (or Control Room)

2) Adjust the Kick Gain so the VU Meter Kisses -3dB 

– you can also Leave the Kick Fader at Zero whilst Using the VU Meter “Trim” Temporarily to Match the -3dB VU Meter Reference

• also Notice that the -3dB are Relative and Not a Target per Se, i.e. you Could Make the Kick Dance Around -6dB or -10dB

– but the -3dB has the Advantage that Doubling the Kick will Add 3dB, thus the VU Meter will Dance Around 0dB

3) Mix In the Bass and Make Sure that Both Together Kiss -0dB on the VU Meter, i.e. Whenever Both are Playing Together the VU Meter Peaks at Around 0dB

4) Now you have a Consistent Mixed Level between Kick and Bass so you can Comfortably Continue to Mix In Other Elements of the Song

5) Remember you can Use that VU Meter Trick also for Other Combinations of Sounds, e.g. Test Keyboards Against Bass or Keyboards Against Vocals etc.