mastering in wavelab

[ChrisAylett]

Hello all, I'm afraid I'm still very much a novice. I've recorded a tune in Sonar, got it sounding good, now I've imported it into wavelab for mastering, although my main priority is to get that volume level up, as this isn't going to be a professional release. I've read through most of the help section but am still a bit lost, as I've tried boosting everything and so on and so forth, but its still disappointingly quiet compared to 'professional' recordings, and it distorts!

The song is composed entirely of soft synths (pro53, dreamstation etc) and the drums were done using reason.

Can anyone give me any tips? is there a generic button to press?! i'm loathe to say I'm looking for a 'quick fix' but I don't have months to spend mastering!

Thanks all.

[ecktronic]

If even just one of your single tracks in your song are distorting at a high level then it will ruin the song. You will need to track that track again.
For getting a louder master volume you need to stick a limiter on it. What you do is boost the level of the signal through the limiter, so the limiter cuts the peaks from the top of the wave. Too much boosting though and it will sound distorted. So go easy on the limiter.
Some good limiters for this are Waves L2 and Peak master.

[ChrisAylett]

thanks...none of the tracks are distorting in the raw version,its just when I boost the volume that I have a bit of trouble.

was trying peak master, didn't have a great deal of luck, though this is undoubtedly due to my ignorance. would anyone have any suggestions for just generally getting a glossier feel? Globally speaking, would anyone suggest I bring out the trebles/mids more, or is that not wise?

[mshilarious]

Ah heck, Wavelab comes with a multiband compressor with presets. Just crank it up.

[Teacher]

Originally Posted by ChrisAylett

thanks...none of the tracks are distorting in the raw version,its just when I boost the volume that I have a bit of trouble.

REMIX IT!!!...When your mixing make sure to check at different levels....from real low to REAL LOUD....

If the mix falls apart at high volumes its a shitty mix plain and simple

[Massive Master]

I've said it a million times - For a recording to be able to handle those types of volumes, EVERYTHING has to come together from the start - Comparing mixes that have a $5,000+ budget just for mastering with recordings completely produced with less than that invested in the whole rig - I'm sorry to say it, but it's pretty unlikley that you're going to get the same results. The potential for volume is decided during the tracking stage by the arrangement and sounds recorded (see my sig).

[mshilarious]

Sorry John I've given up. Every day somebody wants -4dB RMS, quality be damned.

Originally Posted by 10,000 Maniacs

Hey, hey, give 'em what they want.
So their [ears] are growing hazy
'cos they wanna turn it [up],
so their minds are soft and lazy.
Well, hey, give 'em what they want.

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Originally Posted by mshilarious

Well, hey, give 'em what they want.
- 10,000 Maniacs

To paraphrase an even larger songwriting team...

They can't always mix what they want
But if they post here sometimes
They just might find
They get what they need

Death to high RMS!



G.

[ecktronic]

Originally Posted by Teacher

If the mix falls apart at high volumes its a shitty mix plain and simple

Or shitty monitors.

[Teacher]

Originally Posted by ecktronic

Or shitty monitors.

well my test is to crank some of my favorite commercial cd's if they don't fall apart on a shitty system(which they don't) neither should yours....Yes even on $20 computer speakers IME

[ChrisAylett]

thanks for the tips everyone...I'm obviously after quality as well, just wanted a reasonable volume level too! Have got the hang of it now.

[StonedSunset]

you say that wavelab has a multi_comp. is this true for the essential 6 version, i have it but i can't seem to find the compressor

[mshilarious]

Originally Posted by StonedSunset

you say that wavelab has a multi_comp. is this true for the essential 6 version, i have it but i can't seem to find the compressor

In 2005, Wavelab 6 had not yet been released