Got it on the automate the threshold.
Got it about using my ears and fixing crazy peaks on individual tracks.
Seems reasonable to not being bothered too much with the variations in the silent parts, but focus a bit more on the loudest section at the end, to make sure that section doesn't clip, for example.
My mixes don't normally sound too problematic. That waveform image is not one my songs, it's Stairway to Heaven.
I'm rather new at mixing, and because I've heard so many 'experts' say == "compress this, compress that, limit this, limit that, leave -3db of head space, master to -0.1 db", etc., LUFS is this, RMS of that, I often feel confused about how it relates to my songs, especially those with a steep crescendo?
I know I've already ruined one my songs by over compressing and raising the volume with a limiter. The song I had composed was meant to be very quite and get much louder in time, but ended up being loud all the way --- which sounded strange especially given that the beginning of the song had only one classical guitar while the end had two electric, one acoustic, a synth, a bass, and drums...
A part of me really doesn't like compressing the sound of instruments. But,
I recognize that I'm not always playing guitar, bass, etc., with equal strength/volume throughout the song. I know that compression really helps the vocals. But still...
What I really don't like it slapping a Limiter at the end of the mixing process. Perhaps it's because I'm a novice who doesn't know what he is doing, but I really don't understand why I would add a plugin to change the dynamics of the song I work so hard mixing? I mean, once I'm done mixing the song sounds perfect to me (that was the goal of mixing, right?). But, then I add a Limiter, set the limit to -0.1 db (for example) and crank the nob to make everything louder - with a resulting song I don't enjoy (e.g. the quite guitar in the back is too loud, some drum hits have become disproportionate, the vocals have become harsh, etc.).
Strange to hear so many artists and producers complain that they hate the final cut after mastering. That they liked their mix better... I even heard Daniel Lanois talk about this issue regarding his latest album with Neil Young. You would think that if someone like Daniel Lanois is happy with the sound of his mix, that it would be cut that way?! But he suffers like most...
And here I am, doing it to myself. Because, why?
The waveform I showed in the image example is exactly what I want; the song putting to listener in a calm peaceful state, almost daydreaming, to the heartbeat getting faster with no room left to daydream, the mind lost in an emotional frenzy. If the waveform becomes a 'sausage' then all is lost...
At this point in my amateurish home studio producer/mixer growing phase, I feel I need to break free from most of what I've learned about compression/limiting. Especially once I'm done with the mix. Heck, it's not like some big-exec will complain that it's not LOUD enough, that listeners will boycott because they need to crank the volume nob on their I-pod docking station, or that I care if my songs don't sound like other songs on the radio.
I don't like sausage-like music.
Just looking for a way to smooth out a crescendo.
Thanks the tips