Making it all sound good.

[icecycle66]

I transferred raw wave files from a Fostex multitask recorder to Reaper v3.71 (Evaluation).

You can see in the picture that track 2 is pretty consistent. However, Tracks 1 and 4 are all over the place. I want to equalize the tracks waves; in the picture I added some red lines I want anything that does not reach the red lines to reach them, and anything that goes beyond the red line to come down to them. I know a compressor is supposed to bring the large peaks down, but how do I get them all to meet in the middle (the red lines)? Also, I don't really know how to use compressors if they aren't in a rack or a pedal.

I am not worried about dynamics at this point. I just want to know how to get the high and low peaks on each track in line with themselves, using the tools in reaper.

 

[squibble94]

The real question is does it sound good? Don't worry about how things look. You want to mix with your ears, not your eyes. If it sounds consistent, then don't worry about it.

 

[icecycle66]

No, no. It sounds like it looks. Pretty crappy.

On that first track, there is a lot of noise that is very near the same volume as the quiter parts of the track. There is also a large difference between the loud and soft peaks, when they should all be pretty close together in volume.

The that big bubble on the bottom track is a loud honk that clips out in the recording that needs to go away.

 

[squibble94]

A compressor might fix it then.. I think you would be better off with a limiter. Try the limiter first.

 

[VomitHatSteve]

With the compressor (I have no clue how to use a limiter), you can lower the peaks so that they're well below the red lines, and then raise the overall volume so that it meets the lines.

 

[squibble94]

With the compressor (I have no clue how to use a limiter), you can lower the peaks so that they're well below the red lines, and then raise the overall volume so that it meets the lines.

A limiter is basically a compressor on steroids. It's mainly used for final mixes/mastering.

 

[travelin travis]

try a volume envelope. http://stashbox.org/1032027/volume-envelope.gif

double click to add points, delete key to remove points...i think this is the default behavior, i've changed some things from the default.

 

[diggy_dude]

Also, I don't really know how to use compressors if they aren't in a rack or a pedal.

The virtual ones work the same way as the hardware ones. Same knobs and everything.