[movlabs]

I see a lot of track waveforms when I'm putting together radio shows & mixes.
Generally about 60% of them are about right.
Then there's the rest that are almost all too thin in production sound.I know,I know,you say,'well,just turn it up'.
That only helps partially.

Take a look at this professional chart.



'A' represents the sixties & earlier waveform.Clearly this track would be too weak even if turned up.

'B' represents the 80's-90's when they first started making tracks that sounded ok on modern equipment.

'C' represents the modern sound that you should shoot for when mixing.During the peaks in dynamics the waveform should go near the top & bottom,with a little breathing room to let the sounds ring.

Not too often,but occasionally,I see a track where the waveform is one giant block with no room for air at the edges.
I call that a desperate cry for compression help.

Try increasing your volume slightly when mixing,or double your tracks up in the program to get them sounder stronger.

Now,I'm going back to mixing.