Cubase Exporting volume

  • Thread starter Thread starter Muffin
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Muffin

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I know I'm not the only one with this problem, but when I have a song recorded, mixed and such. It's exported(wav.) product is much quieter that of any published CD.
I've done a fair bit of searching on the matter and tried one solution that I found actually on this site(dated in '08).
Convert the final product to an MP3 and then run a program called 'MP3 gain'. I've tried this route and yes it does make an improvement in terms of volume, however I find that my mix doesn't sound as punchy as it used to(in Cubase). My master fader is set to it's default and the tracks have a good amount of volume going through them.

I know the proper way to do this is to get my tracks professionally mastered but I'm wondering if there is something that would allow me to do it myself. Maybe not mastering but even just boosting my Cubase exported mix to the appropriate level without hindering the sound.
 
Commercial CD's go through a limiter (as well as other stuff) to lower the spikes (transients, etc) to a level more consistent with the rest of the audio program. Then they raise the overall level to near (or beyond) clipping.

The mixes coming out of your DAW will probably have way more dynamics, air, breath, life, than a commercial CD. So just turn up the volume knob and enjoy. Or run your mixes through a limiter, remove the differences between the loud and soft spots and have it sound closer to a commercial cd.

Hope my lame explanation helps.
 
So I should put a limiter on the output(0db.) and crack up the master volume? Wouldn't that make it muddy?
 
Well, you're looking for a quick fix to circumvent real mastering. Yeah, put a limiter on your master bus. I wouldn't crank it up to 0db, but you should play around with it and experiment. I don't know if your mix will get muddy or not, but you're still working within your DAW, so you can adjust the mix.
 
Hmmm, maybe I should just go for mastering if I want to get a good product done. I understand vaguely what Mastering is but how would I go about getting it done?
 
Mastering is taking your collection of songs and getting them ready for mass duplication. It entails adjusting eq, levels, spacing, fade ins, fade outs, etc to get all teh songs to sound like a coherent album. Like they were recorded all on the same day with the same equipment, etc.

There are three guys who frequent the site that can help you out.

Masteringhouse
Massive Mastering
and
Waltz Mastering

Look through the Mixing/Mastering section of the site to fiind their websites.

Hope this helps.
 
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