Master Buss Too Hot -quick remedy versus best remedy

[Michael Fogarty]

thanks, everybody. I am just going with lowering the input gain which was my initial question.  I was looking for confirmation, not direction if that makes sense and I got it. The individual tracks all sound fine, and he wants a really hot mix. I am using a clipper on some tracks. The mixes already sound a thousand times better so I am not going to start from scratch. The client is stoked. I also added keys as a bonus.

Thank you, and thank you again.

[Craig Anderton]

Although perhaps not relevant because so many buses are involved, don't overlook Cakewalk's offset mode. It's a feature every DAW should have, but few do.

[John Vere]

13 hours ago, Michael Fogarty said:

I don't use prochannel.

I don’t use it on the master I only turn it on to check this situation and once it goes out after turning down the input gain I bypass it again. As long as my LUFS are good I’m happy. 
I used to master as a second step but now it’s a simple process of just getting an export perfectly done.