Volume
Definition
The perceived loudness of a sound. In a mix context, volume refers to the fader level controlling the output of a channel after all processing has been applied.
In Simple Terms
How loud something sounds to your ears. In a mix, it's the fader position — the most basic and most important control you have. Great mixing is mostly just setting the right volumes for each element.
In Practice
After processing, a vocal fader is pulled back slightly to sit within the dense arrangement of the chorus without competing with the guitars.
Sources & Verification
- Fletcher, H. & Munson, W. A. — Loudness, Its Definition, Measurement and CalculationJournal of the Acoustical Society of America, 1933
- Moore, B. C. J. — An Introduction to the Psychology of Hearing (6th ed.)Brill, 2012
Last verified: 2026-05-05