Cakewalk help

[mikeandronda]

Ok Im recording with Cakewalk homestudio 2002.......After recording I have turned my files into mp3s and even though they are at the max clipping level and if I bring it up any higher on the recoding it distorts.......These recordings are not even close to the volume of other mp3s......I understand they are not mastered but is there a way to fix this problem?

 

[dachay2tnr]

Ok Im recording with Cakewalk homestudio 2002.......After recording I have turned my files into mp3s and even though they are at the max clipping level and if I bring it up any higher on the recoding it distorts.......These recordings are not even close to the volume of other mp3s......I understand they are not mastered but is there a way to fix this problem?

Compression and limiting.

 

[mikeandronda]

Thnx

Ok Im very new to this......I have tried to use the compressor included in homestudio but if I raise the gain it clips. Im fairly lost using this tool. Though I am a quick learner and after I write this reply I am gonna go mess with it ......All I really want to do is raise the over all volume......they (mp3s) are mostly just used for our singer to write with.

 

[dachay2tnr]

As its essence, what you want to do is reduce the transient peaks so you can raise the overall gain of the material without clipping. Sometimes you can do this on the track that is most problematic - say the snare drum. When you do it to the "entire mix," it is really part of the mastering process.

Not all compressors/limiters are created equal AND you have to know how to use them.

Do a search of these forums. This topic has been covered a million times. In particular, check the mixing/mastering forum. There are also many good articles on the subject - so check Google.