Cubase intermittent problem (and some clips)

[vicenzajay]

Hey all,

Using Cubase SE (not v.3) with a Firepod - no problems with tracking, etc. Decided to record a rehearsal with our pickup jazz jam group (3 of us last night) - links to the songs are below.

The only "dressing" I did to the recorded tracks was to put a little compression on the bass and guitar (and a little more compression on the sax - his levels were not necessarily very even). Here's the problem - when using the Sonitus FX compressor - every 6th or 7th time I would open the control panel for editing, I would get the error message - "Cubase has experienced a serious error, please try to save this project under another name...blah, blah, blah" - then the program would crash (everything).

This is a bit troubling - wonder if anyone here has a solution or has experienced the same thing?

Anyway - here are the songs - please remember, this was rehearsal, and there were no "retakes" - pretty raw, but I was fairly impressed with how the Firepod and Cubase worked together to capture the feel of the rehearsal.

Oh - I play the bass BTW.

Jay

Links:

Seabreeze

You have to guess

[RezN8]

My guess is it's the compressor. Is Cubase stable when you aren't using it?
Hit F12 and see what the performance meters are doing.

I figure Sonitus is fighting for memory when you try to open the editor. If you have to use it, make sure you stop playback before opening the editor.

Also check to see if you have anything running in the background on your computer that could be sucking away your memory.

Enjoyed the track Seabreeze -- even though it sounds like there's a "blanket" over the speakers. Kind of makes me want to drink heavily in a smokey bar.

Actually, I'd feel like that even if I wasn't listening to the track.

[vicenzajay]

It's obviously the compressor - wondering if someone has some advice on how to integrate the sonitus plug-ins with Cubase? If not - is there a nice, free downloadable compressor that is recommended?

Thanks for listening, by the way. I should have boosted the db's a bit on mixdown - not sure of the "blanket" thing as I'm not getting that with my speakers.

Take care!
Jay

[travelin travis]

are you running the plugin as a vst or dxi? maybe try switching to the other to see if anything changes.

[vicenzajay]

Going to show my ignorance...

I think I'm running it as a VST...but I'm not sure (it's an insert into the channel).

Love some education on this one.

[TheTrickster]

Sounds like a bug in the compressor software.

Kjærhus Audio is renowned for it's quality plugins, here are some free ones:

http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-series.php

[vicenzajay]

Downloaded them - In just a bit I'll upload Seabreeze again (redone).

Jay

[vicenzajay]

Completely redone with the plug-ins that trickster recommended - and no hangups in Cubase either!

I also adjusted the volume level for the mixdown (everyone should here it a bit clearer. Linky:

Seabreeze

Whaddya think (especially RezN8 - hope the overall track is clearer for you now)?

Jay

[RezN8]

Originally Posted by vicenzajay

Completely redone with the plug-ins that trickster recommended - and no hangups in Cubase either!

I also adjusted the volume level for the mixdown (everyone should here it a bit clearer. Linky:

Seabreeze

Whaddya think (especially RezN8 - hope the overall track is clearer for you now)?

Jay

OK, let me first start by saying I dig the track. It's pretty good for a rehearsal recording as well.

It's hard for me to compare b/c I'm on different speakers now. I think I preferred the "vibe" of the first version. This one sounds a bit too compressed now. Just my humble opinion here, but with jazzy numbers like this, try letting the natural dynamics define the song rather than over compress.

There's very little going on above 8k. But I don't think that's too much of a problem. Maybe a bit too much fighting for space around 200.

Whatever you put the sax through almost makes it sound unatural at times (almost like a synth replication of a sax). Maybe some phase problems? Subbed to mono for posting on the internet?

I also hear too much finger click in the guitar track the compressor (and maybe reverb) might be making worse here. Was the guit recorded with the reverb on it? If not, I would try a verb that more closely resembles the room you recorded it in so it "blends" with the bass better. Or maybe try adding just a little to all the tracksb/c it sounds like they are all in different rooms.

Well you ask for my opinions. There they are. I'm not trying to criticize, jsut trying to help. But heck, what do I know?

[vicenzajay]

Originally Posted by RezN8

OK, let me first start by saying I dig the track. It's pretty good for a rehearsal recording as well.

It's hard for me to compare b/c I'm on different speakers now. I think I preferred the "vibe" of the first version. This one sounds a bit too compressed now. Just my humble opinion here, but with jazzy numbers like this, try letting the natural dynamics define the song rather than over compress.

There's very little going on above 8k. But I don't think that's too much of a problem. Maybe a bit too much fighting for space around 200.

Whatever you put the sax through almost makes it sound unatural at times (almost like a synth replication of a sax). Maybe some phase problems? Subbed to mono for posting on the internet?

I also hear too much finger click in the guitar track the compressor (and maybe reverb) might be making worse here. Was the guit recorded with the reverb on it? If not, I would try a verb that more closely resembles the room you recorded it in so it "blends" with the bass better. Or maybe try adding just a little to all the tracksb/c it sounds like they are all in different rooms.

Well you ask for my opinions. There they are. I'm not trying to criticize, jsut trying to help. But heck, what do I know?

That's exactly what I need...no kidding.

Thanks - and keep it coming should anything come to mind.

Jay

[vicenzajay]

Yes - on the saxophone....combination of simple mic'ing (Audix D-4) and a bit too much "honk" on the original. So I overdid it a bit. I just remixed everything again (for practice - I need it), but I haven't reposted anything to the net.

Also, next time I do a saxophone, I'll combine an instrument mic with a condenser mic to get some more air and overall instrument feel from farther "up" the instrument.

I used some of the defaults in the new plugins for the compression, so I'll lighten them up as well. I think you'll like the new reverb scheme for all the mixes. I'll get some loaded and linked within the next few days.

Thanks again,
Jay