Normalization

  • Thread starter Thread starter David Tanner
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David Tanner

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Hi, this is my first posting. I have been recording for
a long time but I never made a CD before. (and my idea of mastering is just getting the levels right) There is
alot to learn! I've been using a VS-880 for five years or so.

I recently just got the Roland UA-30 (it's a
audio input/output interface with digital and analog input/output). It came with Cool Edit Pro LE, but I also have Sound Forge Xp (and CD Architect), Diamond Cut Enhance CDR and Easy CD Creator Deluxe. I guess the main problem is getting the levels right. I have tried normalization but some tracks come out louder than others. I also can't to get the levels even like on my bands (they made a CD before I joined them) CD, (which was made in a recording studio and then sent to one of those CD mastering
package deals).

Anyway, from what I read here, a compressor should help but none of my software has any, I think. (I just spent alot of money at once getting all this software and Sound Foundry Acid Pro. I also plan to get some recording/midi software too.) Does anybody have any suggestions on some compressor plug-ins? Any other advice would help too! I'm new to most of this software.
 
Unfortuantely, the 880 dosn't have the mastering tool kit that the 880EX and 1680 have so I'm not sure what it will sound like but try this:

I think you have a sterio effect A66 Compression on your 880?? am I right?? or the A96 is good too... try taking your final mix and running it throught that (in sterio) to another sterio channel... and while you do it, adjust the levels as HOT as you can without distortion... burn a CD and listen to it and compare to other CD's... there are several controls that will allow you to tweak those volumes higher and hotter... don't worry about going over the 0 db line... if there is no distortion, fine... most radio stuff is set for +2 db with high compression anyway... personally, I like lower compression with hot levels... check out the stuff I've done on my 880EX... also check out this site:

http://www.vsplanet.com

it has a lot of good advise for VS users only...

Ben
http://www.mp3.com/benwalter
 
Normal

Thanks Ben. I have the oldest Vs-880 and I don't use
it to burn CDs. I don't use to Comp for total mix on
my roland because sometimes I'm using both effects.
However, my diamond cut software has comp on it. Actually,
I have another question. Which is better to do first
normalization or compression? Or does it not matter.
Anyway, I'll check out your site.
 
If I understand right, normalization only adjusts the overall volume of sterio tracks... mostly its used to get all the songs up to a marketable level and compatable in level to the other songs on the CD, so it is coheasive... I would compress first (minially, if possible) and adjust levels at the end... good luck.

Ben
http://www.mp3.com/benwalter
 
compress than normalize

Thanks alot! I'll try it.
 
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