how to get more volume out of my mixes

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jimistone

jimistone

long standing member
How do you guys get the high volume levels in your mixes?
I will have what seems like a good mix, and I raise the level of the stereo mix as high as it will go without clipping. But, to no avail, almost every other mix I here in the clinic is louder than mine.

Here is an example of a remix I just did last night

https://m.soundcloud.com/jimistone/driving-while-blind-remix

Any pointers would be GREATLY appreciated
 
jimistone said:
How do you guys get the high volume levels in your mixes?
I will have what seems like a good mix, and I raise the level of the stereo mix as high as it will go without clipping. But, to no avail, almost every other mix I here in the clinic is louder than mine.

Here is an example of a remix I just did last night

https://m.soundcloud.com/jimistone/driving-while-blind-remix

Any pointers would be GREATLY appreciated
Click to expand...
Jimi.

You need a look-ahead master limiter on your mix if you want to get the volume up. There are probably a few free ones out there, but I'm not sure which ones. A master limiter will usually use an automatic make-up gain, so it will limit your peaks and bring the overall average level up.

I'm sure if you Google something like "Free master limiter", you'll get tons.
 
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I use a combination of PSP Vintage Warmer and Voxengo's Elephant, although I would call my mixes overly louder than yours.
 
Thanks Rami and Mr Clean. I haven't tried any kind of limiting on the entire mix...just on individual tracks
 
I export to .wav and then apply my "primitive" mastering/limiting/compressing to that in a new project. That's where my volume comes from. My mix down is usually a lot quieter than what you've put up.
 
Mr Clean said:
I export to .wav and then apply my "primitive" mastering/limiting/compressing to that in a new project. That's where my volume comes from. My mix down is usually a lot quieter than what you've put up.
Click to expand...

So, you export the mix before you use the limiter?
 
Ok, let me see if I have this correct...
You export the mix as a wav, then create a new project in your DAW and I guess you import the stereo mix that you exported, as an audio mixdown, into the "new project"?
Wouldn't it be easier to put a limiter on thr mix before exporting?

Forgive my ignorance. I'm not patronizing you...I really am this dumb about mixing.
 
jimistone said:
So, you export the mix before you use the limiter?
Click to expand...

I do. I render a mix with nothing on the master bus and I call it "The song name, un-mastered" and put that in my "Un-mastered" folder. This is a 24bit wave file.

Then, I open a new project, and "master" that. This is where I put the limiter on the mix. I then render a 24bit wave file, a 16 bit wave file, and 320kps Mp3.
 
How to get more volume??? Hmmmmmm. Turn it up?:D



Just kidding with you, listen to the other guys, not me.:thumbs up:
 
I use Cubase, so I don't get the option to make MP3's. But, if I were able to mixdown to an MP3, I would put the limiter on the master bus. As it is, I mixdown to a wav file then import it into Wavelab Elements and put a limiter on it, then burn the MP3.

If your DAW can render MP3s, then just put the limiter on the master bus.
 
Chili said:
I use Cubase, so I don't get the option to make MP3's. But, if I were able to mixdown to an MP3, I would put the limiter on the master bus. As it is, I mixdown to a wav file then import it into Wavelab Elements and put a limiter on it, then burn the MP3.

If your DAW can render MP3s, then just put the limiter on the master bus.
Click to expand...
I use cubase too
 
How do you convert to MP3s? You can still use the limiter on the master bus and render to a wav file. Then use whatever you have to convert to an MP3.

I use the limiter in Izotope's Ozone plug.
 
I "master" on the stereo bus without exporting, in case my attempts highlight something that needs mix fixin' - it is, after all, pretty easy to turn whatever I put there off - but this is more as a result of me not being a great mixer or masterer, and not having a great room to listen in, than being something I'd recommend to others... :)
 
Chili said:
I use Cubase, so I don't get the option to make MP3's. But, if I were able to mixdown to an MP3, I would put the limiter on the master bus. As it is, I mixdown to a wav file then import it into Wavelab Elements and put a limiter on it, then burn the MP3.

If your DAW can render MP3s, then just put the limiter on the master bus.
Click to expand...

I am confused. Full versions of Cubase have included ability to export MP3's. Even LE versions, you can pay $16 for the license for the converter. HERE

Back on topic, there are a number of free limiters that will allow you to get the 'volume' up. Some work better than others.

Fabfilter Pro-L is the best sounding master limiter I have owned. It is also the most expensive I have purchased.


You can send me a wav file of a mix and I will make it as loud as possible for you. Free by the way. :)

Loudest is not always and usually not best. It depends on the material. But then I am still just going on what works for myself.
 
I track in Reaper, render to a stereo file with nothing on the master bus.

I do topping, tailing and volume adjusting in Soundforge.

When I'm happy with that, I convert to mp3 in Reaper if I need to send it anywhere.
 
gecko zzed said:
I track in Reaper, render to a stereo file with nothing on the master bus.

I do topping, tailing and volume adjusting in Soundforge.

When I'm happy with that, I convert to mp3 in Reaper if I need to send it anywhere.
Click to expand...

I am curious more than anything here.

Why the stages of opening in other DAW's to make this happen in your setup?
 
Four reasons mainly:

1 force of habit (I used to use Logic for tracking, Soundforge for mastering).

2 the two particular tools that are present in Soundforge but I haven't found in Reaper, i.e. RMS normalisation, and RMS analysis.

3 the sense of separation it gives between mixing and mastering (this is more a psychological thing)

4 in SF I can load a CD's worth of tracks, and click and play instantly on each to get a sense of relative levels.
 
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