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a question regarding volume
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MishaCore
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Dec 8, 2007 18:47
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when producing a track i always stumble on the same thing, i find the track's volume low i comparison to released stuff.
now i understand that is mostly a mastering issue but i'm sure that there is some things can be done in the mix to at least make it a little better. so if you guys can recommend my some vst tools or give a word of advice on how to raise the volume without damaging the sound i would appreciate it a lot. |
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Speakafreaka
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Dec 8, 2007 19:09
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It is only a mastering issue *so far*
you gotta get your mix levels right in the spectrum anayzer, so one part of the mix isn't working the limiter very hard.
the RMS has to be good, not just the peak volume of the uncompressed track so many things, really.
I would suggest some quality time with SPAN, its slope function, and some thinking about fletcher-munson curves.
Then, when you have the mix *just so* you'll find that the mastering gets a lot easier. But still, it doesn't pay to think in terms of overall loudness. The aim of mastering is not to make it sound loud - its to make it sound good.
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http://www.soundcloud.com/speakafreaka |
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Speakafreaka
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Dec 8, 2007 19:23
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MishaCore
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Dec 8, 2007 23:07
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thank you bro...i was mainly bothered by the loudness issue |
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UnderTow
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Posted : Dec 8, 2007 23:54
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Quote:
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On 2007-12-08 19:23, Speakafreaka wrote:
*awaits ritual crushing*
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Nothing to crush. 
The term I've seen allot is "Loudness potential" of a mix. If a mix is well done, it can be mastered louder while still sounding good compared to an unbalanced mix.
UnderTow
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MishaCore
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
10
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60
Posted : Dec 9, 2007 00:08
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hmmm got another question following the replies. let's say i'm happy with the mix and i'm ready to send a demo to a label.... will they expect a mastered version? it's just that i'm clueless regarding mastering and from reading a lot i sort of got the idea that if you don't really get the hang of it just let it be. |
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MishaCore
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
60
Posted : Dec 9, 2007 00:09
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i mean from reading about mastering here on isratrance |
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Speakafreaka
IsraTrance Junior Member
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779
Posted : Dec 9, 2007 00:38
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Dec 9, 2007 06:05
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about the potential of a mix to get loud i think it s very true , good mix ll get loud and sound good .
producers should ask themself if they want a album that people ll enjoy listening for years or just for 1 week (for me overcompressed music have a very short life,it s like the music is done in fabrics ,same flat shit again and again that s why no one by cd !) |
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Deranger
IsraTrance Junior Member
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36
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214
Posted : Dec 9, 2007 09:08
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i wonder guys in what db you keep your mix before mastering ? -3 -4 ? |
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Speakafreaka
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
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779
Posted : Dec 9, 2007 10:38
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Hot as possible without clipping - seleting multiple channels is a good trick too know, as is routing everything through a group stage before the final out (as only the final output clips in Cubase).
But pay attention to your RMS values as well.
In terms of how loud you can get the final mix, you've got to think what the difference between the RMS and the peaks are.
The bigger the difference, ultimately, the quieter your track is gonna be, as the limiter gets stressed out much sooner. However, the bigger the difference, the bigger your dynamic range which makes the msuic more interesting... so its a balancing act. Take some of your favourite tracks, and see what their dynamic range is... Match your track to it... and most likely, just like me, try and figure out why you can't get it that loud!
Think about how much bass you have in your tracks as well. We are seeing ultra flat mixes these days, so people can really, really limit the tits off them. To my ears, its pretty cold stuff, but if you absolutely have to have the most loud mix, then you have to look at what is tripping the limiter first, and its normally bass.
I'd rather loose 3dB and have a bassier sound, but what do I know?
Of course, some subtle compression prior to the limiter can really help, as can very very careful EQ. Basically, get your mix as flat as possible (and actually, I don't mean flat at all -  - I use SPAN on a 4.0dB slope ), spectrum wise, while not negatively affecting the sound, before the limiter. Pay very close attention to peak volumes, and averaged volumes (both in the analyzer and the channel volume - freqs can sum in funny ways). Try to avoid lumps in either.
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http://www.soundcloud.com/speakafreaka |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
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8087
Posted : Dec 9, 2007 13:44
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sorry to be off topic ,i was so drunk last night
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Alias
IsraTrance Junior Member
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984
Posted : Dec 9, 2007 13:52
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MishaCore
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
60
Posted : Dec 9, 2007 16:12
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speakafreaka thanks a lot bro...
shit is frustrating i feel a complete peasent soundwise... is there a good soul here who knows a bit about mixing and mastering dark psychedelic music and willing to listen to some of my stuff i'd be gratefull...it's just that most of the dark sounds like shit and i don't want to sound like shit!!!! |
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psylevation
IsraTrance Full Member
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841
Posted : Dec 9, 2007 17:45
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I forget what the exact numbers were but...
In that video tutorial that Synsun posted up, he said a good way to tell if your mix is okay is to put a limiter on the main mix and push it till the track is at -7db RMS.(you could use RMS Buddy from Smart Electronics, it's free
http://destroyfx.smartelectronix.com/extras/ )
If it doesn't cause any distortion then you can tell your mix is probably okay. If it does cause distortion then you need to go back and fix your mix.
~Airyck~
~Unoccupied Mind ~
Psyowa! |
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