Level accuracy in software??

  • Thread starter Thread starter DavidK
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DavidK

DavidK

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I am preparing my weirdo classical CD for mastering. I am trying to keep the peaks at about -3 in SONAR. Therefore, I pull the output level down about -3.5 and all looks fine. When I open the .wav in Wavelab, the levels are about -7. :confused: :confused:

Which one is correct? Does it really matter? Which one do I trust? Anyone? Bueller?

I'm frightened, hold me :(
 
DavidK said:
I am preparing my weirdo classical CD for mastering. I am trying to keep the peaks at about -3 in SONAR. Therefore, I pull the output level down about -3.5 and all looks fine. When I open the .wav in Wavelab, the levels are about -7. :confused: :confused:

Which one is correct? Does it really matter? Which one do I trust? Anyone? Bueller?

I'm frightened, hold me :(
Click to expand...
It doesn't matter as long as it is below 0dbfs.
 
DavidK said:
I am preparing my weirdo classical CD for mastering. I am trying to keep the peaks at about -3 in SONAR. Therefore, I pull the output level down about -3.5 and all looks fine. When I open the .wav in Wavelab, the levels are about -7. :confused: :confused:

Which one is correct? Does it really matter? Which one do I trust? Anyone? Bueller?

I'm frightened, hold me :(
Click to expand...

I'm guessing they are both right. You said you pulled down the output level -3.5, and Wavelab said the peaks were at -7. That probably means the peaks were originally at -3.5 before you reduced the level in Sonar.
 
mshilarious said:
I'm guessing they are both right. You said you pulled down the output level -3.5, and Wavelab said the peaks were at -7. That probably means the peaks were originally at -3.5 before you reduced the level in Sonar.
Click to expand...

No, the peaks were at around 0 in Sonar, maybe +0.3. I thought I would bring all tracks down to around -3 so I chose -3.5 to be safe.

They SOUND different. The track in Wavelab sounds considerably softer than in SONAR. I assume if Fairview is correct ( He seems to know his stuff very well) that it doesnt matter?
 
That 4dB really won't make a difference. It'll all come out in mastering and the ME won't care about that 4dB; it won't affect the quality or difficulty of his job, really.

As far as why the difference, it would be intersting if you examined it's levels and other characteristics using an analyzer plug-in. Dave, if you don't already have it, you might want to grab a free plugin called "Inspector" by Elemental Audio (www.elementalaudio.com). There is a free version of it availbale for download that gives several types of metering, peak level readings, spectrum analysis, pan distribution, etc. It'd be interesting to play the wave in Sonar and Wavelab and let the Inspector plug look at it in both.

G.
 
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