Track balance

[jayemm]

I am quite new to recording digitally. My question is thus; I have a Korg D8 and have no problems with that. I want to know how to get the volume of the tracks all the same level when I record them to computer and then burn to disc?Will I have the same problem if I record them digitally to 1Gb minidisc through optic cable?

 

[FALKEN]

the best way is to manually adjust the fader when you record the tracks into the pc. if your korg does not have a master output fader, run it through a mixer or something. make handwritten notes on how far up or down each track needs to be. do it by ear.

 

[scrubs]

I am quite new to recording digitally. My question is thus; I have a Korg D8 and have no problems with that. I want to know how to get the volume of the tracks all the same level when I record them to computer and then burn to disc?Will I have the same problem if I record them digitally to 1Gb minidisc through optic cable?

Are you referring to individual instrument tracks or to mixed down songs? If you're referring to songs, that is what mastering is all about. A good mastering house works to get the levels fairly consistent between a group of songs and takes care of any additional tweaking so that the project sounds good as a whole. If you can't afford professional mastering, you can level tracks using compression and a master limiter, though the results will not be as good.

 

[Robert D]

And keep in mind that there's a difference between metered level and percieved loudness.

-RD

 

[FALKEN]

Are you referring to individual instrument tracks or to mixed down songs? If you're referring to songs, that is what mastering is all about. A good mastering house works to get the levels fairly consistent between a group of songs and takes care of any additional tweaking so that the project sounds good as a whole. If you can't afford professional mastering, you can level tracks using compression and a master limiter, though the results will not be as good.

please explain to me how compression and limiting will make the songs be at a consistent volume.

 

[scrubs]

please explain to me how compression and limiting will make the songs be at a consistent volume.

Come on, dude. Dynamic processing (compressing/limiting the dynamic range) allows you to achieve more consistent mean volumes across tracks. That's why ballads on CDs are just as loud as rockers and why radio sounds like crap -- heavy compression/limiting. What I was stating above is that, it sounds like this poster has a collection of songs that he would like to put onto a CD and he wants them to have a relatively consistent volume. Riding the fader while mixing will only work to a certain extent because if you turn up a piece with wide dynamic range (e.g. soft ballad) to be as loud as a rocking electric guitar tune, you'll run the risk of clipping the louder portions. Using dynamic processors, he can get the tracks closer in volume to one another. That's all.

 

[jayemm]

The tracks I have are mixed down songs but some have been recorded on the Korg D8 and some on a Tascam 4 track tape. Is there some software I can get to balance them out. I'm not looking for a professional finish but it would be nice to get good level volume throughout. Thanks

 

[FALKEN]

All I am saying is that compression and/or limiting alone isn't going to level out the differences in volume of the songs. compression/limiting is going to raise or lower each track the same exact volume, so no leveling will occur. the only thing that can level out songs is moving the volume fader up or down. which you don't need software to do. you would want to do this after the mixes have been mixed down.