Headroom

General

• in the Mixing World “Headroom” is the Difference between the Average Signal Level and the Maximum Peak Value

• 0VU Equals -18dBFS

• i.e. if you Mix with a VU Meter Calibrated at 0VU and your Maximum Peak is 0dBFS then you Get a Headroom of 18dB

Headroom in Recording

• it is Still Important to Record with a Good Level and Headroom, but Never at the Maximum Possible Input Level as with Analog Gear

• e.g. in the Analog Days it was Crucial to Fit 0VU on the Meter to Get the Maximum Possible Quality Regarding “Bits” and Signal to Noise Ratio

• but Today Every Interfaces Supports at Least 24 Bit

• so if you Record Towards the 0VU (that is -18dBFS), you Get Proper Dynamics and Pre-Amps / Converters will Work Much Better Plus the Recorded Tracks are Ready for Mixing / Producing

Headroom in Mixing

• Use a Trim Control to Level All Tracks to be Near 0VU (Not the DAW Fader, but Either a Trim Option Inside the Plugin or a Gain Plugin)

• i.e. the Reference Should be 0VU, while you are Able to Go +2 / +3 VU in Some Parts via Automation (e.g. Chorus)

• then Use the DAW Faders to Level the Tracks in the Bus

• on the Busses Themselves you Should Look for a Cohesion between the Different Tracks in the Bus

• thus use the Ears when Using DAW Faders but Always Make Sure to Stay Close to 0VU on the 2-Bus or Master Track

• for Drums it is Recommended to Use a PPM Meter to Register Fast Transients (Fast Transients are Usually Not Registered in a VU Meter)

• but for Bass + Drums you can Use the VU Meter Again