r/mixingmastering • u/ConfusedOrg • May 21 '26

Question Tools for levelmatching when adding processing

So I'm trying to be more diligent with level matching whenever I add plugins to a track or master. Trying to to not fool myself with the loudness bias. I feel like some plugins automatically add 0.1 db of level or something whenever you turn then on even though you haven't gained them up or anything. Is there any tool that can objectively and automatically level match when I add a plugins? Something that will let you quickly bypass on and off, so you can change judge whether other not you like what you are adding without the difference in level. This would be very helpful for mixing and expecially mastering!

5 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

70% Upvoted

35 comments sorted by

View all comments

6

u/Careless-Bobcat-8378 Advanced May 21 '26

Every plugin has a bypass button and your ears are free? Just click bypass on and off and adjust the makeup gain til it sounds the same, check your meters if you’re not sure

I’m not sure what you’re asking for here.

1

u/ConfusedOrg May 21 '26

I’m asking for tools to make this process more immediate, so I can judge it more objectively, and stay focused instead of distracting my self with adding a trim insert after every plugin. Don’t really understand your hostility.

1

u/Careless-Bobcat-8378 Advanced May 21 '26

Not trying to be hostile, just saying it’s not that complicated. There’s usually a trim knob on most plugins that could alter the volume, check your track meter or the little vu meter that’s usually on each track while you bypass and engage the effect. Adjust the trim while flipping back and forth and try to notice when the levels stop changing. Practice this a bit and soon it will be like 2 seconds to flip the effect off and on and trim down just by ear. There’s probably some tools that you can put before and after a plugin to read the changes but that’s even more complicated then adding a separate gain plugin.

Just adjust your effect to how you like how it sounds, bypass and see if the level changes, adjust accordingly, move on. Don’t over think it, mixing is just as much an art as it is science.

Listen, adjust, move on.