Demo CD output level etc.

  • Thread starter Thread starter AndreiR
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AndreiR

AndreiR

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Demo CD output level etc.?

Hi all!
Let's say I'm making a demo CD (a single), that I would test on other systems: car, friends' stereo etc. I don't want people saying: "why is it so darn quiet?"
  1. What would be a feasible output level in Reaper? As high as possible, without triggering red light on top of the master track bars?
  2. Should I also apply compression and limiting to the master track, even though this is not a final mix?
Thank you for your help! :)
 
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When the red light goes off, that means you've hit the absolute limit of volume. It's called clipping. Hitting that level isn't bad per-se, but what happens is that if your music is loud enough to exceed the clipping threshhold, everything above that level is rounded down, and your wave forms start to become a little square.

Compression makes the loudest parts of your track quieter. So yes, compression can allow you turn up the overall volume without clipping. It also colors the sound, so use your ears and be careful.
 
VomitHatSteve said:
When the red light goes off, that means you've hit the absolute limit of volume. It's called clipping. Hitting that level isn't bad per-se, but what happens is that if your music is loud enough to exceed the clipping threshhold, everything above that level is rounded down, and your wave forms start to become a little square.

Compression makes the loudest parts of your track quieter. So yes, compression can allow you turn up the overall volume without clipping. It also colors the sound, so use your ears and be careful.
Click to expand...

Thank, VomitHatSteve, for your reply. So, are saying that I shouldn't look at the numbers, as long as it doesn't clip into red?:)
I understand generally how compression works. My question wasn't really about that. It's about loudness: how can I make a working-on-mix-CD loud enough? Should I apply compression while still working on a mix? Or should I, at this stage, limit myself to gain/volume adjustments only?
Thanks!!!:)
 
I use compression to make important voices (such as the primary melody) sound louder and stick out more.

When you're mixing, generally you just want to go for the best sounding mix you can get. Compression reduces the dynamics, which are usually something you want.
As I understand it, compression of the overall track is meant to be done at the mastering stage.
 
Thanks, VomitHatSteve for your help! You made it all much easier to understand. :)
 
No problem! The trick is that I dumb down my explanations until I understand them! :D
 
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