Optimal dB levels in mixing??

[Soundmonk]

Hi all, its my first post here, although i´ve been reading the forum for a while now.

I like to make electronic music - psytrance, DnB, etc...

However, i´ve been struggling with dB levels in my mixes for quite a while now. It seems that its either too loud or too low, and when compared to a record, its not as near phat or juicy.

I know that most records have been mastered and it makes a huge difference, but i believe that a mix can sound great if you mix things right. Or it should at least.

Now, in my mixes i´ve been EQing and compressing all my elements till they sound right, making sure they dont peak above -12dB (each one).

I came up with such value using IXL Meter - anything above -12dB, IXL considers it on the yellow zone, and above -6dB on the redzone.

I just want to make sure my levels are in the zone, as i dont want the noise floor invading my tracks because they were mixed at a low value, nor i want my audio clipping.

So, at what optimal levels should i mix each element? When combined, at what level should i keep the whole mix around? -6dB? -3db?

Also, after the mix is done, to make a polished track without being mastered, do you advise compressing the whole lot and raising the levels up to between -3dB...-0.1dB?

Thanks

 

[Djnx]

Levels don't matter on individual tracks as long as the master has a maximum peak level of -3dB.

 

[Noyzi]

The biggest issue with mixing is knowing what the mix needs in the first place. almost everything you mix will need something different in a unique way. The best advise i can give is keep the master under/around -3/-6dB, then work each channel the way you like it until it's all right for you and run it thru something like a vst masterer "izotope 4"...I just got one and I'm going back to alot of stuff and giving it that monster-in your face presence.

 

[Soundmonk]

thx guys