keeping headroom but presevering energy

hey guys,

do you know of any good techniques in Logic Pro 10.5 I could use to help save headroom for when I send my pre-master mix out to an engineer but keep the mix feeling high energy and dynamic?

(I'm well aware of using saturation, automation, compression and delay / reverb and how all of this creates a huge sense of depth and I've been managing to apply it very well)

however, id like to know if theres any other way I can increase the energy without increasing the main output level - maybe playing around with overdrive?

thanks all

- Guy

This is an old topic but one that is dear to my heart.

Use a VU meter, keep it in front of you all the time, and mix to -18dB. Adjust your headphone/monitor volume so you get all the dynamic energy you want.

This one is free: https://www.tbproaudio.de/products/mvmeter2

This video on the topic is awesome:

Hope this is helpful!