how to get your audio loud without...

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Nick The Man

Nick The Man

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how do the pros get they're audio so loud without getting that sound of the compressor pumping. And their audio doesn't clip. I don't want to start the whole professional thing I'm just wondering if there is a tip or trick I'm missing. What are your steps when you start to master your track. Do you raise your volumes first?? Oh yeah just out of curiosity too, what does RMS stand for, i know what it is but i just don't know what it stands for.
 
RMS = Root Mean Square

As far as pumping goes. A lot of times a multi-band compressor is used. Especially for really loud stuff (~-12dB RMS). Or you might be hearing a stem mastered song.

Also, the settings are really important. As far as attack, release, threshold, etc. are concerned.

Another thing people do is use a compressor in front of a limiter. Letting the compressor's attack be slow and depending on the limiter to catch all the overs. But there is a fine line where this will sound like overcompressed shit.

Also, don't forget about Fletcher-Munsen curves. They're used more often than you'd think.
 
There sure is more than one way to do it. And unfortunately, they even sacrifice quality in many cases when doing this.

Shortening release times while compressing reduces pumping, but raises modulation at the same time.
Multiband compression can reduce the pumping alot, but also changes frequency distribution. This is pretty much overdone on many radio stations.
Slight distortion on peaks (mimicking tape saturation) can gain a few dB. HDCD is usually done that way, but not limited to that.
During boosting, you avoid clipping with a hard limiter.
The most brutal masterings are actually hardclipped a few dB, too.

It depends pretty much on the kind of recording which of those can be done without sacrifying the quality. You probably want none of them on a classic recording, while most of them might work on heavy metal to a certain degree.
I strongly recommend not overdoing this, though. Good masters are between -12 and -20 dBFS RMS sine. And there are CDs much louder, and they rarely really sound well. Don't emulate them!
 
I hesitated to post because the real answer is, as you know, that there is so much to it, from the talent, mics, pre-amps, engineering skills, mastering skills and equipment, etc....

But I just wanted to say that if you use a decent mastering plug-in with a long release, it shouldn't really give you that typical compressor "pump". It might do other bad things, but a look-ahead compressor with a long release shouldn't really "pump" like a regular compressor. At least that's my experience.
 
I'm using soundforge 8

i use the "wave hammer" (limiter) and then normalize it
 
Nick The Man said:
I'm using soundforge 8

i use the "wave hammer" (limiter) and then normalize it
Click to expand...
Ughh, the Wave Hammer is almost as bad as using HarBal! It's a quick and dirty shortcut.

If your mix is fairly consistant (ie, no large random spikes throughout), using a limiter alone should be enough to bring the level up. Just make sure to have the auto-gain compensation checked. I usually set it to bring the level up to -0.2 dB.
 
where is the limiter in soundforge.. i cannot find it
?? :confused:
 
Nick The Man said:
where is the limiter in soundforge.. i cannot find it
?? :confused:
Click to expand...
IIRC, Effects->Dynamics->Graphic

I can check for sure when I get home from work tonight.....
 
heres what i found



limitergt1.jpg
 
that one ethan posted looks all to simple.. why arent they all like that? :rolleyes:
 
Nick The Man said:
heres what i found



limitergt1.jpg
Click to expand...
Yep, that's the one. You want to set the threshold to the average peak level of your mix, click the auto-gain box so it's on, then set the output gain to where you want it. You'll probably want to shorten the release time (lower left) - I'd start around 150-200ms and see how it sounds.
 
My experience, if you're just trying to get the volume up without pumping, try using a couple of transparent compressors in a row, both only comping a db or two, then the limiter.

-LIMiT
 
yeah im really brutal with compressors though.. this doesnt help lol ive read up on them but i cant seem to get a hold of them i try them and don't notice much difference and then i get discouraged
 
Nick The Man said:
how do the pros get they're audio so loud without getting that sound of the compressor pumping. And their audio doesn't clip. I don't want to start the whole professional thing I'm just wondering if there is a tip or trick I'm missing. What are your steps when you start to master your track. Do you raise your volumes first?? Oh yeah just out of curiosity too, what does RMS stand for, i know what it is but i just don't know what it stands for.
Click to expand...

Squash the thing so it is a big DC level signal at exactly 0dbfs.

Can't get any louder than that, I assure you.
 
A monkey with a limiter can make *any* mix as loud as any other.

What it's going to sound like at those levels are another story entirely...
 
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