Volume Level

Loud enough that you can hear it.

Loud enough that you can hear it.

 

ok so the volume of the computer doesn't matter when it comes to the mixing process? it seems to me like it changes my perception of the volume levels in logic.

Yes, we don't perceive different frequencies the same way depending on loudness: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fletcher–Munson_curves

So it's expected that listening at different levels results in different perceptions of the same audio. It's often recommended that you mix at a "reasonable" level (where you can hear things clearly but not getting tired and certainly not damaging your ears), and then check your mix at low and high levels.

I would start by getting "proper" listening using dedicated monitors and not the Mac's speakers.

That's definitely on my to-do list but at the moment i don't have $600-$1000 dollars to drop on high-quality monitors. Any recommendations on headphones that could be used for this purpose?

at the moment i don't have $600-$1000 dollars to drop on high-quality monitors.

I would recommend getting a solid pair of headphones then. I recommend the Audio Technica M-40X which cost about $99.

That's definitely on my to-do list but at the moment i don't have $600-$1000 dollars to drop on high-quality monitors. Any recommendations on headphones that could be used for this purpose?

There are speaker monitors that are less expensive than that.

If you want to go the headphone route, I'd look into Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro (I have mixed with those), or AKG 702.

What should the volume level of my laptop be when im using logic?

In terms of your laptop, the output of your computer should be set to max output. Why? because at lower computer output levels, you may end up mixing too hot and not realize that you are actually distorting your signal. Your DAW level meters should be the give-away, but with a lower computer speaker level, you won't hear the distortion and assume everything is fine.

In terms of your laptop, the output of your computer should be set to max output.

I disagree.

i don't have $600-$1000 dollars to drop on high-quality monitors.

A pair of JBL 305's will run you $200.

What should the volume level of my laptop be when im using logic?

 

In terms of your laptop, the output of your computer should be set to max output. Why? because at lower computer output levels, you may end up mixing too hot and not realize that you are actually distorting your signal. Your DAW level meters should be the give-away, but with a lower computer speaker level, you won't hear the distortion and assume everything is fine.

This is what I was doing but it seems others disagree on it

That's definitely on my to-do list but at the moment i don't have $600-$1000 dollars to drop on high-quality monitors. Any recommendations on headphones that could be used for this purpose?

There are speaker monitors that are less expensive than that.

 

If you want to go the headphone route, I'd look into Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro (I have mixed with those), or AKG 702.

Thanks, I'll look into that, I've read good things about Beyerdynamic