Editing Volume of vocals...after the fact!

[bloozguy]

I've had no problems so far on the console using the snapshot and update features to adjust rise and lowering of volumes on many of my songs recorded thus far.

What's wierd though, is that I have a song presently where my vocals are coming out in the mixdown too strong.

I went back, even wiped the track of the "Console Automation Data" but was surprised to see that when playing back, the sliders and levels still remembered former adjustments. I thought after all, that after so much hassle, I'd simply redo those settings rather than re-sing the solo track.

So, any common sense or simple suggestions on lowering the volume of the lead vocals? thanks...

bloozguy

[PaulB]

I don't know what version of Cakewalk (or Sonar) you are
using. I use Cakewalk Pro Audio 9.3 myself. Are you saying
the entire vocal is too loud?

If only certain sections are too loud, I'd use the 3 db quieter
(or sometimes 3 db louder) feature....sometimes just on one
word or just a part of a word.

I have a friend who singers very powerful. I had an external
compressor I sent her which she is gradually learning to
use to try to bring down some of those big peaks.

But for me, the answer is bringng the the peaks "by hand"
using 3 db quieter feature.

PaulB

[vicevursa]

The compressor might be a good way to go.

Vice

[bloozguy]

I'll 'speriment on this advice....thanks!

bloozguy

[postalblue]

have you ever tried using volume automation? you can access it in the audio via, just right-click on the wave and select envelope > volume. you do it by adding nodes (double click on the spot where you want a node added) and adjusting them. it's a lot of work, but i do it all the time for vocals. since i'm the singer, i always devote whatever time it takes to get it sounding perfect. volume automation is always the first thing i'll do with a keeper take.

adriano

[dachay2tnr]

Postal's got it right... use volume envelopes.

Stay away from the 3db quieter function, as it's a destructive edit.

Compression, of course, is another way to "even out" a track as vice-versa suggested. But I would try the volume envelopes first. They are light years ahead of using the "track automation" in Console view - if only for the fact that you can "see" where the changes are.

[bloozguy]

Well...I did do the 3db quieter thing, and it worked. However, I have about four more songs to finish for this cd project, and will try and learn to use this volume envelope thing.

Yes, I can see how the 3db thing would be destructive, at least for that track and subsequent options. Thanks...

Larry