compress and boost

[dobro]

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?

 

[CyanJaguar]

automation, but I doubt that it would have wqorked as well.

A limiter could alo work

 

[dobro]

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?

 

[Gidge]

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......

 

[dobro]

So *that's* what automation means! 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.

 

[dobro]

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!

 

[tdukex]

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.

 

[dobro]

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...