VU meters and wave forms

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AndrewYap

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I'm really not sure whether this goes in the n-Track section (Cause I'm using n-Track) or in the Computer Recording and Soundcards section so I decided to be safe and post it here... After all I'm still quite new to this...

Here's the problem... I know for a fact that recording levels should be set to the optimum, that is just before clipping occurs. When I record with n-Track, I adjust my recording levels to the optimum according to the recording VU meter. But after I've recorded the track... the visual of the wave form displayed shows that the volume was quite soft (too low) and far from clipping and not as indicated by the VU meter. This is not advisable from what I I've read... The playback VU meter also shows optimum (almost clipping but doesn't..). But it's obvious that everything is lower in volume than an average commercial recording...

I'm using a Dell with onboard audio... Is this a limitation due to my sound card? Should I ignore the VU meters? What exactly is going on? Please help!...

p.s Thanx a million before hand... :-D
 
It sounds to me like you have a problem with dynamics.

Most instruments... and vocals, in particular... have a dynamic range that can be low, or soft... all the way up to high and loud.

Your meters are showing you the peak program material... which is very important in digital recording, as to exceed 0dB is a big no-no.

However, when you keep your program material down below 0dB, most of it will be MUCH lower. Too low.

Enter the compressor and limiter.

The compressor will help to shape the sound so that the softer passages will be louder... while holding the louder passages down.

The limiter is a high ratio compressor used to limit the spikes in the signal.

Together, these will help to fatten the sound while keeping the program below the dreaded 0dB mark.
 
Thanks Doug...

Is there any way that this can be done effectively without outboard gear? What I mean is editing on my PC after the recording process...? Or is there a way to boost overall level after the mixing process without inducing clipping?

Thanks a million! :)
 
It can be done either with software or outboard gear.

I am not familiar with your software, but a search in the Help section of your software using the search term "compressor" will let you know if your software has that capability.
 
I'm using n-Track with Cakewalk Plugins.. Its called Cakewalk FX Compressor/Gate... I've been fooling around with it. Basically I've been fiddling with 'Compression Threshold' and 'Output Gain'... It doesn't really help though. Currently I'm of opinion that it's really too low to be just a problem with dynamics... But then again, I'm not a pro... :)

I've read about onboard audio and how most of these sound cards operate at "semi-pro" level of -10dBu. Could this simply be the reason?

Is it that I really don't understand enough of the compressor? Do I need to fiddle with the Gate settings? I have yet to fully understand compressors... Aren't gates the opposite of compression...? Gates amplify signals below a certain threshold right?

Thanks a lot Doug. I really really appreciate it... :)
 
It's too early on Sunday morning for me to address this issue properly.... I haven't even had my first cup of coffee, yet.

But a quick search on this bbs will turn up a wealth of knowledge from many others regarding compression. If you compress properly, you will narrow the gap between loud passages and soft ones... and the output gain will allow you to raise the overall volume to a more usable level.

Gates are kinda like compressors in reverse... but not entirely. A gate simply closes when the program material is not loud enough... and opens when it is. A dynamic expander is a compressor in reverse... it makes louder passages louder and softer passages softer - like a movie theatre.

Hope this helps... now where's my coffee....
 
Yes, n-track allows effects to be applied to the inbound signal as it is recorded and a compressor/limiter is one of the most commonly available effects.
 
Question... To increase overall volume of a song... Can I compress the final wav file as a whole or each one seperately?...

Once again thank you guys so much for your help!... :)
 
The final mixdown is where any final compression is applied.

Individual tracks should be compressed as needed, keeping in mind that a certain amount of "overall compression" will be applied later.

You might also apply a limiter at the final phase, which would help to keep any unwanted spikes out of the final mix.

Obviously, others will have differing, and correct, opinions. There's a few different ways to do this, so experiment!
 
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