Volume...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ashura
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Ashura

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Here's the problem: time and time again, I've mixed down music, but no matter what I do, I can't get the final product to sound half as loud as a commercial CD. I understand, ya, they are using tools of a total different level, but there has to be some way to make this music at least somewhat comparable. I've tried boosting my EQs to the point of clipping, but that seems to cause more problems than solutions. Is there anything within Cubase, or perhaps another application, that could resolve this somehow???
 
With the caveat that louder ain't necessarily better, try some compression on the whole mix.

foo
 
Are you using any mastering software??

I'm using SoundForge 6.0 which isn't "official" matering software as I understand it, but I am getting results as hot as commercial CD's with the MaveHammer mastering plug -in.
 
Ashura,
How high are your levels on individual tracks when you're actually mixing the song?? How high are your meters hitting?
Try mixing with higher levels..let's say you turn the vocals up untill they go near 0 (zero) into yellow part of the meters...then build your mix around them by bringing other tracks in, which will also have to be a bit louder if you set your vocals louder....See if that works....I slightly compress the whole mix which sometimes brings the "power" out a bit.....and of course, as the others suggested try doing a bit of mastering with some sort of software...
good luck..:)
Cheers..
 
Yeah, all the guys here are giving good advice. I always record as hot as possible without clipping, mix as close to 0dB as possible, then use some sort of leveler/limiter or compressor on the final mix. Wavelab and/or Cubase includes a few of these plugs in the package. Good luck.
 
thanx for the replies...ok, it's good to hear I am going on the right track. After I had my first mixdown, I began actually doing it as was mentioned, mixing down based on the vocals, whereas i used to start with the bass and drums then work my way up.

I am not using Soundforge...is Goldwave considered any good for this at all? I like the application alot, its very easy to grab and select areas, but as far as mastering, is it a good tool in your opinion?
 
I use goldwave for batch conversion...it can be used for other things s well..I remember a friend of mine used it to prepare some of our live performances for "burning"...I think he was using it for noise reduction, EQ, adding some effects and stuff...I personally haven't done this much with Goldwave, but those things can be done....
Wavelab is a pretty good tool, but it is a little bit pricy...
Never used Soundforge, but I think some people do use it for a bit of mastering work...
good luck...let us know if your mixes turn out any "louder" :)
 
If your not useing mastering software, then the advice to get your recorded track levels as hot as possible is right on.

Couple this with compression, being careful not to squash the life out of the overall mix, you should be able to make louder mixes.

Good luck.
 
thanx again, that was alot of help...i'll let you know what happens...
 
Ashura,
Thanks for starting this thread, I have been having the same problem, and thanks to the guys who answered, you made the thought process go into overdrive, anyway 2 questions for you, did you go thru the Master Unit? and have you heard of a program called "Get it on CD" which I am told is a Steinberg program, allows mastering and not overly expensive?
Clive
 
Clive,

No problem...I guess after spending this much money on a good setup, last thing I wanted to hear was that I needed to spend hundreds more just to get someone else to mix down my music...I'm determined to get this project completed by myself after investing this much.

To answer your questions, if by the Master Unit your referring to the final channel mixer in VST, ya, I've tried using that to get my final mix as hot as possible...asides from that and what I mentioned earlier, I haven't had the chance to try anything.

For burning the final .wavs, I've only been using EasyCD Creator, although, I know I'm going to need something better 'cause I want to have more control of how my songs blend into the next. I've heard of it, but I haven't tried "Get It On CD"...is this a pretty good product?

thanx again...
 
some simple tips

First off, I would really recommend you looking at your songs closely... If you see spikes in the waveform.. in other words.. sudden jumps in volume that are visable.. you need to bring those down to size.. by highlighting them and reducing gain.. go through your whole song and do the same thing.. then use compression on the song.. or if you want to buy some more software.. I would recommend.. Waves L1+ Ultramaximizer.. it's my favorite plug-in to get that ultra hot sound.. and iZotope Ozone is a very good Mastering Program.. there are alot others that are equally as good.. just remember to not go overboard with it though.. just like it's already been said.. You can take the dynamics and life out of a song real quick if your not careful... Good luck
 
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