Turn up the Volume?

  • Thread starter Thread starter BlindCowboy
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BlindCowboy

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Thanks in advance to whomever can help me with this issue:

I've been using VST/32 on and off for the past 2 years. I'm very happy with the quality of recording that I am achieving now. But, may levels are not as high as commercially produced CDs. I compare against country CD's of varying artists.

Could anyone give me some pointers on boosting my levels?

Thanks again,

Blind Cowboy...
 
Have you tried normalizing, eqing or compression?
 
Typically, this is a start to end for me:

Record track. Set fader inputs to just below peak on the Cubase.

Repeat for further tracks.

EQ and send effects for desired tracks.

Mix.

Normalize.

Add VST plug-in compression on master track (usually ruby tube or something similar)


This would de a typical simple song. What would you do different?

Thanks again,

Blind Cowboy...
 
It's hard to say what I'd do differently depending on how and what's being recorded. You might want to use some compression and limiting on individual instruments as needed to make them sound fuller and more consistent in level or to prevent them from using too much headroom when you raise them to the desired level in your mix. When you're mixing you might want to give a close listen to the transition times and control the transitions using fader controls. Automation works great for that. Use the eq to assign freq's to volume competing instruments like the bass and the kick drum. For tracks like guitar leads or overdubs, mute the parts that aren't being used throughout the song to reduce unnecessary noise.

Have you tried normalizing as the last step? Give that a go and if the volume still isn't where you want it manually search for high level peaks that stand out significantly over others and limit them. Do that to only for the occasional high peaks and then try normalizing again.

Generally the idea is reduce the overall dynamic range without adversely affecting the sound itself. G/L
 
ok

this is out of my field but, from my past research i have learned that it has to do with mastering. limiting, compressing, expanding and the such. i have read that you would only want to do this if you do not plan on having it mastered by a professional. they have the expertise to use thier hardware and/or software to get that commercial sound. i have learned that is more than just volume. commercial cd's have that wide sound without just pumping the volume up. there is a lot on this forum that covers the topic. waves plugins or stienberg mastering plugins will get you in the nieghborhood.
 
I had me too this problem and With some help I learn importants action to obtain at the and a no udible difference between commercial cd and my works.

Put your bus out level at 0,1 db maximum.

When you are sure of all..

Esport your song in a 24-96 or 16-44 (if you use low resolution mode) in a unique stereo interleaved track (no dither if maintain same resolution)

Reinport that track in cubase mastering mode.

Normalize to 0,1 db

Now comes the best..I tried to compress with cubase only compressor but no matter at all.The best choice (I always use it because is the top) is to install Ozone Izotope mastering plug in.

Put it on and do this order set up.

equalize setup

reverb setup

harmonic exciter setup

multiband dinamic setup

stereo imaging setup

Loudness setup

Now re-control uv meter setting 0,1 db

Export the track with all this settings active to a 16-44 of definition

Open it with a good mastering program (I use now Sony cd architect) and finally apply noise reduction.

BURN IT!! IT WILL BE AS LOUD AND PRECISE AS NEVER.
 
sounds good

helyfede, can you give nymorningstar an A/B sample of a mix along with a tut? if nymorningstar had some before and after sample that can go along with tutorial that outlined the settings you used then that would maybe help alot. i'm only assuming that nymorningstar isn't familiar with the plugs you spoke of. of course nymorningstar would need the same program to get the exact result but, i'm pretty shure that the results can be closely obtained with any mastering software that maybe available to nymorningstar.

your material will be a guide to help other people familiarize themselves with the plugs and with your tut they can see(hear) what exactly is going on. that can save someone a lot of time if they are not familiar with this stuff.

btw, that was interesting advice that you gave. i may have to try it out myself.
 
Sorry jugalo180 but my english isn't as perfect to understand exacltly wat you tell in your last post.
 
Cowboy. One piece of software that i find has helped me get max volume without changing the dynamics of the music is the "WAVES L1" which comes with the "Waves BUNDLE". It's a "look ahead" compressor that automatically optimizes the volume of your tunes. I hope this helps.
 
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