what can I do in mixing to get high playback volume?

  • Thread starter Thread starter carollhobi
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carollhobi

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Hello:

I use the Tascam 788 and I can't figure out what levels/settings I should use during recording and mixing in order to get good volume when I playback a CD I have recorded. The volume is always significantly lower that regular CDs. What has worked for you?
 
carollhobi said:
Hello:

I use the Tascam 788 and I can't figure out what levels/settings I should use during recording and mixing in order to get good volume when I playback a CD I have recorded. The volume is always significantly lower that regular CDs. What has worked for you?
Click to expand...
That would be normal... commercial CD levels are obtained during the Mastering phase. Look for "limiter" or "maximiser" plug-ins that would allow you to approach those levels (at the expense of musical dynamics.)
 
carollhobi said:
Hello:

I use the Tascam 788 and I can't figure out what levels/settings I should use during recording and mixing in order to get good volume when I playback a CD I have recorded. The volume is always significantly lower that regular CDs. What has worked for you?
Click to expand...

Raising the volume.
(sorry couldn't resist)

Also mastering helps. There are no standard settings for this it is program dependent as they say. In general look for a limiter to raise level by lowering peaks, a compressor for raising average level by digging in further with a lower ratio. Oh yeah, and gain makeup on either to add the gain that you have taken away from reducing the dynamic range of the material.
 
I feel funny chiming in after the pros have spoken, but I think it's worth mentioning that keeping noise to a minimum is very important in the tracking stage, especially if you are going to squash the mix for loudness' sake. Any noise (hum, computer fans running in the background, etc.) will be made louder as the dynamic range of the material is reduced.

There is a free limiter plug in I'll go to in Wavlab when I'm "mastering" my stuff. Here: http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-master-limiter.php
It works well when you go easy on it. For more extreme settings, I chain a few of them together with progressively lower setting on each one. If the compression LED's kick on more than just barely, you'll hear some bad artifacts in the mix. If you don't have a program like Wavlab, I'd seriously get one so you can experiment and learn some concepts about what mastering is about. I bought 3.0 on Ebay for $100.

Above all, remember that louder does not mean better. :)
 
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