my Protools mixes sound small after bounce

[jimmyhuf]

I have the solution!

Hi.
I am a rookie at this as well. I had the same problem. But in messing around with my Mbox, i actually have not yet bought my Monitor Speakers, which lies the problem! In the back of the Mbox, there are two 'OUTPUT' ports. They are for the monitor speakers. The monitor speakers allow you to hear the fine details of how your music will sound. The HEADPHONES (from the headphone outputs) DO NOT. I discovered this when i plugged my headphones into the OUTPUT in the rear of the Mbox. So i suggest, either use a good pair of headphones plugged into an OUTPUT Jack in the back (Which wont work well unless you are only using mono recording) OR for BEST results with mono and stereo recording, buy a good pair of Studio Monitor Speakers like i have just done, and what you hear through them, will be what you hear through your computer after you bounce.

James.

 

[Will Smythe]

When exporting your file - make sure nothing is clipping and bounce it down to a WAV file.

Re-import it into a new project

Add a "Multi-band" compressor - i believe pro tools has a 5 band - logic a 7 band



you may need to do this twice.

Split up your final frequency bands, solo-ing each one at a time to see which sounds best.

don't compress your highs too much
Bass and mids will need more compression due to resonant frequencies of speakers and the audio space you are sat in. the shapes of you're speaker cases etc.

roll of the above 18kHz and below 70Hz



Mastering in you're audio POST PRODUCTIONAL PHASE is every bit as important as the mixing phase.

It is effectively the reason that adverts are SOOOOOO much louder then movies on the TV.
Adverts - Compressed to buggery - Metallica death magnetic - compressed so far it CLIPS audibly.

Movies - have a more natural dynamic range hence no crazy mastering techniques.



Mastering is difficult as you may notice certain elements of instruments will change GREATLY during this phase.