increasing output levels via Pro Tools

[T-Bird]

Not sure if this the right page to post this question on... seems like many of these pages actually cover the same areas of discussion.

I have a simple tune recorded directly into my Mac via a digital preamp/amp modeler and Pro Tools Free. The problem I am having (being new to all this, please excuse my ignorance) is that I originally recorded the two tracks at a low level. When I bounce to disk and produce an .aif file or mp3, the overall volume is much lower than say, CDs I play.

Basically, I would simply like to increase the output level without adding gain or distorting the sound. When I use the "normalize" function in Pro Tools Free, the individual tracks sound ok, but when mixed down to a single .aif file, I hear bass notes distorting and farting out. I would rather not have to "normalize" if there is another way to just leave the individual tracks alone and increase the final file's output level.

I hope this post makes sense. This is my first recording, so the hardware and software is all new to me.
Jim

 

[version2]

Well, you could probably compress it to bring the audio levels up. Unfortunately, in my experience, it is always best to get a good level going into the machine than trying to bring stuff up afterwards.

 

[T-Bird]

version2,
thanks for the help. Next time I'll know how to better set my levels before recording. For this first tune I decided just to go back to the original Pro Tools file, use some compression on the 2 tracks with a just enough gain to raise the level, but not enough for a big change in tone. Good enough at this point.
Thanks again,
Jim

 

[balls1299]

I have protools LE and have had the same problem getting my final 2 track mixes to the levels of commercial material. I don't have the distortion problem , but it is frustrating. The meters in protools seem to be misleading. I did buy a Behringer Ultradyne Pro. I send my finished mix through it to be compressed and then enhanced and then sent to final mix heaven. It sounds good for pop material, however, it's too harsh for jazz or ensemble recordings.

 

[Downside Studio]

I don't get it, getting the song up to pro-level has nothing to do with software metering. It has to do with thousand of dollars worth mastering.
Normalizing is just removing the headroom, and should not add distortion or anything else. The only thing I can imagine is that the distortion was allready there, but by increasing overall volume it got audible.