1), which indicates the volume (dB SPL) levels necessary for a listener to perceive a constant loudness level across the frequency spectrum. They developed a loudness contour, called the Fletcher-Munson curve (fig. In the 1930s, acoustic researchers Harvey Fletcher and Wilden Munson studied this phenomenon of human perception of frequencies vs. If that all seems confusing, simply keep in mind that at soft listening levels, music sounds thinner and midrange-y, while at loud volumes the bass and treble feel powerful and the mid-range feels softer. The actual frequency balance of the mix doesnвЂ™t change at different volume levels, but our brainвЂ™s interpretation of the frequency content changes. At higher listening volumes, the low and high frequencies become more prominent and the midrange falls back into place. At low monitor volumes, we are sensitive to midrange frequencies while the lower and higher frequencies seem weak. Monitoring at levels that are too soft or too loud can fool us into making poor decisions because we donвЂ™t perceive frequency balances equally at different monitor levels. Is Monitor Volume Important While We Mix or Master? A big part of nailing every mix or master or production is simply creating productions that have a uniform frequency balance and perceived loudness. In order to consistently create songs that sound as you intend, you should work in a consistent, calibrated listening environment. A well-mixed and well-mastered song should sound balanced at any reasonable volume level. Our job during mixing and mastering is to create the impression of the appropriate intensity, or loudness, of the music. We sense the original energy of the sound (its loudness) independent of its volume at the moment.

A recording of a whisper played back at a high volume will always be recognized as a quiet sound. For example, when we listen to a recording of an explosion played back at a low volume, the explosion sounds like a loud sound to our brain. Volume describes the actual sound pressure level (dB SPL) in a room, while loudness can be thought of as how intense, dense, powerful, or вЂњloudвЂќ the sound feels to you. As simple as it sounds, monitor volume during mixing and mastering is one of the main variables that we can control to help us achieve consistency in our mixes, especially when we are trying to create the appropriate amount of impact. One of our main goals while mixing and mastering is to create a certain amount of musical impact, which we call loudness.

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