How do I use an analyzer to check if my sub bass is at the right level?
Marketing Director & Bass Music Mentor
I use a loudness meter together with Span (a spectrum analyzer) to check sub bass levels by first getting my track to at least -6 LUFS on the loudness meter, then making sure my sub bass hits right at the -30 line in Span, and then I mix everything else into that. Once your track is loud enough (around -6 to -3 LUFS), that -30 line in Span becomes your reference point, where anything above it is probably too loud and anything at or just below it is sitting right where it should be. I've found this method way more reliable than just eyeballing levels or trusting your ears in an untreated room.
Frequently Asked Questions
What loudness level should my track be at before I check if my sub bass is at the right volume using an analyzer?
I make sure my track is at least -6 LUFS (or closer to zero) before using the -30 line in SPAN to check if my sub bass is at the right level. Once your loudness is around -6 to -3 LUFS, anything above that -30 line in SPAN is probably too loud.
Which analyzer tools do you use to check sub bass levels?
I use SPAN together with a loudness meter (like the good hertz loudness meter or uLoudness meter) to check my sub bass levels. I get my sub to the -30 line in SPAN and then mix everything else into it.
How do I know if my sub bass is too loud when using SPAN?
I look at the -30 line in SPAN once my track is hitting around -6 to -3 LUFS on my loudness meter. If my sub bass is above that -30 line, it's probably too loud, and if you want to learn more techniques like this, check out Futureproof Music School for in-depth courses.
Max Pote
Marketing Director & Bass Music Mentor
Max Pote is a professional bass music producer who performs and releases under the name Protohype. He has more than a decade of releases on major bass-music labels (Firepower Records, SMOG, Never Say Die, Rottun, Deadbeats), festival appearances at EDC Las Vegas and Lost Lands, and a feature credit on Tom Morello's 2021 album The Atlas Underground Fire. He was an early Icon Collective alumnus and later returned as an instructor before co-founding Futureproof Music School. He leads marketing at Futureproof and mentors students on sound design, songwriting, and finishing tracks.
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