adjusting the volume of each songs with sonar

[lapieuvre]

Hi,

I was wondering if there is a way to level the gain of each song so they sound at the same level on an album. Normalizing doesn't mean that it is all going to be leveled correctly. So compression helps but with songs that go from real quiet to loud, it is pretty hard to level up. Should I get a software like sound forge or Sonar is good enough to do the job?

Thierry

 

[mixsit]

It might be better to fix songs with large volume changes in the mix phase, at the track level, although the methods apply to either end -volume control and/or compression and limiting.
Once the songs are in good shape -i.e. they should play fairly well on their own and within the group from song to song, take them to the next level.
You can use a new master cake project with the mixes imported for the completed final, or use other progs.

 

[dachay2tnr]

What you are talking about is part of the mastering process. Sonar is really a multi-track recording and midi-sequencing program.

While (with difficulty) this could be done in Sonar, it's really not designed for it. It's sort of like you could write a letter in Excel, but who would want to when Word is available.

In Sonar there is no easy way to lay out tracks end-to-end to preview the transitions between songs. Nor any easy way to adjust volumes on indivual songs. Nor any way to burn a CD once you get it right. Nor.... I could go on, but hopefully you get the picture.

Obviously, everything ultimately comes down to your pocketbook. If it's empty, you can try and make do with Sonar. If it's full, do yourself a favor and get WaveLab.

If you can't afford WaveLab, Sound Forge is still much better than Sonar for this type of task.

 

[mixsit]

..While (with difficulty) this could be done in Sonar, it's really not designed for it. It's sort of like you could write a letter in Excel, but who would want to when Word is available.

Ah, come on. On the other hand you can get a hell of a lot of mileage just in ACKUS. Line'um up, trim'um, slap on the gain envelopes, do the fades and volumes... Don't have the cd-pq code thingys', but the tools are there.
Go for it!

 

[dachay2tnr]

Ah, come on. On the other hand you can get a hell of a lot of mileage just in ACKUS. Line'um up, trim'um, slap on the gain envelopes, do the fades and volumes... Don't have the cd-pq code thingys', but the tools are there.
Go for it!

Obviously a quote from someone who has never used Wavelab.

As I said, you can write letters using Excel, too.

 

[mixsit]

True. You got me there Dachay.

Wayne