compress and boost

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dobro

dobro

Well-known member
A vocal track had too much dynamic range, making it difficult to make out the words during the quiet parts.

So I compressed it about 2.5:1 above -7 dB, and then boosted the overall level of the track, and now it's easier to hear all the words.

Is there another way I could have done this? Different settings? Something other than compression?
 
automation, but I doubt that it would have wqorked as well.

A limiter could alo work
 
Okay, so I get everything as close to 0 dB as I can, then apply some limiting, then boost the level again.

How much limiting can you usually apply before it starts impinging on the sound? 2 dB?
 
what I learned here to to split the vocal track into 2 or 3 tracks....only use the loudest parts on 1 and set it at the appropriate volume....the average level on 1 track set at appropriate volume....and the quietest parts on a separtate track at its appropriate level......

or like Cyan said, automation....you can go in and draw volume envelopes to follow the dynamics of the track......
 
So *that's* what automation means! :D Yeah, I did the volume envelope thingy, and it improved it, but scrunching and boosting seemed to work a bit better overall.

I never would have thought of splitting the track into three separate tracks. It wouldn't even add to the file size of the session. Interesting... Hmm.
 
Actually (a very British word, actually), this thread reminds me of another thread in which Slack talked about breaking a Fruity beats session into separate tracks for each component of the beat.

You guys are starting to inspire me. Talk about control!
 
What's a volume envelope?

If I have an acoustic guitar track with too large a dynamic range I'll drop the track into Sound forge and boost the softer part 3-6db until a good balance is achieved. Is that a volume envelope? I might still compress the track after I'm done.
 
Don't have Sound Frogs and don't understand that.

In Cool Edit, any track has a sound evelope that allows you to cut/boost any given segment of the track. It's a bright green line that runs through the length of the whole track. Drag it down to cut the level; raise it to boost the level (if you adusted it downwards beforehand...). You can boost or cut any section of track using a volume envelope. Very useful. The old guys ride the faders... :D
 
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