The Importance of Level Matching
It's natural for us to initially hear louder as "better." If we hear a track at one volume and then pop in a plugin that increases the volume we're probably going to think that plugin made the track "better" at first because it's louder. But over time we may find that it didn't actually make it better at all. Maybe we figure this out when we go back to the track the next day with fresh ears.
This is (in as simple of a way as I can put it) why level matching is so important. When we add an effect to something we want to zero in on what the effect is doing (so we can hear whether we like it or not) rather than just being dazzled by an increase in volume.
In order to make sure we are hearing the effect itself rather than a volume increase (or a decrease if the effect makes the sound quieter) we should adjust the output of the effect so that the volume level matches the volume when the effect is bypassed.
In short: by using level matching we are tuning our ears in to what really matters instead of being distracted by a superficial change in volume.
March 10th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
I think I understand what you’re saying here and I think it’s actually a bit of an “awakening” for me as to where I’m going wrong. I am looking forward to trying this out.