How do I get my tracks HOT!

[HB1978]

How's it going? I'm new to this forum. In advance I appreciate all the input from u guys. So here's my situation:
I have a 'Triton Workstation Sampler' keyboard and 'Fruityloops'; the 2 systems I use to make my tracks and also Pro Tools to record a complete song with vocals. Not to be arrogant, but I believe that I make pretty good mixes, yet I just can't get that HOT (level) out of my mixes like the pros. When I burn a CD the mix is good but the HOT (level) is not quite there. Does anyone have any pointers?

[Massive Master]

http://www.massivemastering.com/blog...Too_Quiet.html

http://www.massivemastering.com/blog...ng_Levels.html

[Seafroggys]

How do you get hot tracks?

Find a stripper for an engineer.

Or record you engaging in activities with stripper.

[HB1978]

Thanks for the advice. I looked on those sites and read them thourougly. I now have a whole new perspective on recording, mixing, and mastering. I will implement those concepts immediately.

[HB1978]

Originally Posted by Seafroggys

How do you get hot tracks?

Find a stripper for an engineer.

Or record you engaging in activities with stripper.

You're funny. But thanks for the input anyway.

[joeym]

headroom is the magic word.......

[MCI2424]

Originally Posted by HB1978

How's it going? I'm new to this forum. In advance I appreciate all the input from u guys. So here's my situation:
I have a 'Triton Workstation Sampler' keyboard and 'Fruityloops'; the 2 systems I use to make my tracks and also Pro Tools to record a complete song with vocals. Not to be arrogant, but I believe that I make pretty good mixes, yet I just can't get that HOT (level) out of my mixes like the pros. When I burn a CD the mix is good but the HOT (level) is not quite there. Does anyone have any pointers?

Turn it up in the red and listen. You could be just too low.

[Smileyshreads]

Originally Posted by MCI2424

Turn it up in the red and listen. You could be just too low.

isnt the idea to be low.. gives you more headroom you can always make the vocals louder later on.. once you record it too loud theres no way to fix it later on...

[DrumArtist23]

Originally Posted by Massive Master

http://www.massivemastering.com/blog...Too_Quiet.html

http://www.massivemastering.com/blog...ng_Levels.html

Good read, I had a few trial and error ideas that matched up, and alot of stuff I didn't even think about, so overall great links to keep bookmarked!

[omtayslick]

Originally Posted by Seafroggys

How do you get hot tracks?

Find a stripper for an engineer.

Or record you engaging in activities with stripper.

Well, everyone has their own way of working. Gasoline and a match will work every time.

[HB1978]

Thanks for the input guys. I think the headroom concept will work out just fine. I just have to start getting use to tracking my tracks at lower levels, but how do I get pass not hearing that awesome punch that I like in my tracks? Will tracking at lower levels take away the punch?

[NL5]

Originally Posted by HB1978

Will tracking at lower levels take away the punch?

Overlimited tracks will sound louder, but will lack punch - much like most of the commercial recordings of the past 10 years.

[HB1978]

Originally Posted by NL5

Overlimited tracks will sound louder, but will lack punch

There is a track I'm working on in which my kick drum is very low end with a lot of boom. I'm loving the way it sounds in the mix. But the kick peaks at about -3db. It's really loading down my master fader to about -3db. If I lower the volume on the kick track it takes away the boominess. How do I create more headroom on my master fader and/or my kick track without compromising the boom?

[Massive Master]

If you lower the level on something and it takes anything away but volume, there is something wrong.

[Seafroggys]

Hi-pass that bass drum. Get rid of the boom.

[NL5]

Originally Posted by Massive Master

If you lower the level on something and it takes anything away but volume, there is something wrong.

Yep.

The only way to gain headroom is to lower the volume.

[doulos24]

put it in the oven preheat at 400 that should work my pizzas come out hot an fresh so it should work for your tracks to

[ktay]

use iZotope multiband compressor plugins for your drums and bass. it gives such a tight, fat sound!

on your master mix bus use the ML 2000 multiband limiter by McDSP. that will be the finishing touch.

[omtayslick]

Originally Posted by omtayslick

Well, everyone has their own way of working. Gasoline and a match will work every time.

Originally Posted by doulos24

put it in the oven preheat at 400 that should work my pizzas come out hot an fresh so it should work for your tracks to

Yeah, my method may have made the tracks a little too warm.

[nate_dennis]

Originally Posted by doulos24

put it in the oven preheat at 400 that should work my pizzas come out hot an fresh so it should work for your tracks to

So that's what they mean by "Baking tapes!!!" I've been doing this all wrong for all this time!!!

[Massive Master]

400 is a little (about 230-240 degrees) hot for baking tape, but that's the idea.

I like using meat dehydrators personally... Less worry about too much heat.

Sorry - Back to the goofiness.