weak recordings....

[dumass]

hey...everything i record in cakewalk sonar seems to be pretty weak when i compare it to other recordings of other bands. the meters are touching red, but i have no distortion in the song yet, but it still doesnt seem like its as loud and powerful as other recordings. however, wen i make everything louder with either the 3db boost or normalizing, wen i play everything together, it seems to get fuzzy and super distorted....esp the guitars. i recorded the guitars direct....is there something that i'm doing that i shouldnt be? also, what are some good settings to get rid of that fuzz?

i use a behringer mx2004 mixer and soundblaster soundcard.....is it bc of the sound card? also, im planning on upgrading to a delta 44....so will it make it louder and more powerful? thanks a lot

 

[bamboo]

As for your card, yes, don't expect great results. As for loudness, you have to read some papers on compression and mastering.

Try http://www.digido.com/

There is a very good mastering tutorial by Bob Katz in person ( Steely Dan...) check it out at:
www.tcelectronic.com
Go to the manual section, scroll all the way down and download it!

 

[moskus]

If you just want it loud, Sonic Foundrys WaveHammer is pretty good at that...

And as bamboo said, compression is the cue-word you need.

 

[dumass]

thanks....so i need to worry bout the compression more than n e thing else...like such as limiter and eg's? i used the limiter....but then it sounded a lot better, but then it wasn't loud...

also i've been using the timeworks compressor, if that enough? or is there more i should be doing

 

[dumass]

thanks....so i need to worry bout the compression more than n e thing else...like such as limiter and eg's? i used the limiter....but then it sounded a lot better, but then it wasn't loud...

also i've been using the timeworks compressor, if that enough? or is there more i should be doing

 

[James Argo]

I just replied this thread... but the page error for a while, and closed it self. What a pitty. It was a loooong reply, and it's not shown...

Now I have to type it again...

Well... okay, to make it short, you need to know if it's "too weak" or it's "too thin".

...what's the different, Jaymz ?

Well... too weak means it's not "hot enough" in level term. So, if it's dropped down below 18dB, then it could be "weak". Too thin mean it's not "wide enough" in frequency term. That means, if you see the wave in frequency analyzer, only certains Hz being "hot" and reach for closest to 0dB.

...Frequency analyzer, how can I have it with SONAR, Jaymz ?

Well... it's not the best, but will do just fine for simple analystic. Insert a Timeworks EQ in the track insert, set it flat. Go graphic mode, and monitor from the input (spectrum in). This image shows a "thin guitar signal"...

 

[James Argo]

See... only certain Hz has reached close to 0dB. It sounds... bad

So, what should I do, Jaymz ?

Make sure you use "safe" instrument (guitar). I mean, I've seen so many times this mistake happened because of using "unsafe" guitar. I didn't say your guitar is bad, but there's a perfect line between the original Fender Stratocaster and -your so called great- customized guitar. Great is not always "safe".

Jees, you make it complicated, Jaymz...

Yeah... I know, cut it off. In simple words, choose a right weapon for a right enemy.

You mean I have to use different guitar ?

Not exactly. My point is to remind you that you can't blame SONAR for these weaky eaky problem . most of "weak" problem caused by the source, the gears, recording technic, and how good you do it. First place to get a good strong record is from the scratch. Edit it latter won't be the same again. You may get it "strong" using compressor this and limiter that, but trust me you're gonna loose the character you have got.

Well... I gotta go now, glad if those could help...


Jaymz

 

[James Argo]

...and quit telling me to stop talking to myself

 

[moskus]

...and quit telling me to stop talking to myself

I'll ignore that and say:
QUIT TALKING TO YOURSELF!!!!

 

[moskus]

...and quit telling me to stop talking to myself

I'll ignore that and say:
QUIT TALKING TO YOURSELF!!!!

 

[moskus]

...and quit telling me to stop talking to myself

I'll ignore that and say:
QUIT TALKING TO YOURSELF!!!!

 

[moskus]

What was that?!?

 

[James Argo]

This thread is cursed dumass replied same thing two times. I lost my reply. moskus reply same thing three times. ...eeerrrr I'm scared now...

Cum ooon, Jaymz... you don't believe the tales, do you

...Not anymore. I believe this page is cursed... Gotta go now...

Yikes...



James Argo has attached this image:
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but "something" has removed the image !!!