| Author
|
Mixing levels for chill
|
Ascension
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
170
Posts :
3642
Posted : Feb 18, 2009 01:34:58
|
This is a very specific/simple question I didn't find an answer for through the search.
I just started making some chill for the heck of it and wanted to know some good tips to mix my sounds better. I'm using a lot of pads/sweeping sounds that generally tail off, then eventually rise back up in volume, making noticeable fluctuations (they don't sound "bad" per se). Does anyone have any advice on trying to keep my levels more, well, level? Thanks!
I guess the same applies to when my kick hits as well, the overall volume goes up, obviously.  http://soundcloud.com/ascensionsound
www.chilluminati.org - Midwest based psytrance group |
|
|
|
nick
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
14
Posts :
60
Posted : Feb 18, 2009 02:57
|
|
~d2~
Inactive User
Started Topics :
7
Posts :
751
Posted : Feb 18, 2009 03:57
|
|
Ascension
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
170
Posts :
3642
Posted : Feb 18, 2009 05:20
|
|
Trip-
IsraTrance Team
Started Topics :
101
Posts :
3239
Posted : Feb 18, 2009 08:14
|
It's kind of an abstract question here... keep levels more level? This question probably related to any recorded/electronic music ever made. I'm sorry I can't answer ;/
Crackling universes dive into their own neverending crackle...
AgalactiA |
|
|
|
Axis Mundi
Axis Mundi
Started Topics :
75
Posts :
1848
Posted : Feb 18, 2009 09:17
|
I haven't seriously gotten into making chill, but if you use Cubase, try keeping the master at 0 db, put on default multiband compressor with soft clip on in the master, and set your kick and bass (or whatever you want to be prominent in your type of music) channels to -10 db and mix the rest of your channels from there, then experiment.
At least, that's what works for me and my music.
|
|
|
|
Ascension
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
170
Posts :
3642
Posted : Feb 18, 2009 10:39
|
My main concern is with the swelling sounds/volumes of the pads I'm using. They do not remain at a constant volume throughout the track and are a main component of the track.
For instance I will have a kick hitting every other beat, a snare every other off beat and a pad sweeping up and down during this time. The pad will dip in volume at times and rise at others. So I will have the track at say -11db for a while, then it will peak to -8db. I am just trying to minimize that variance in volume fluctuation.
It really doesn't have anything to do with channel volumes or the master volume settings, I've got that down  http://soundcloud.com/ascensionsound
www.chilluminati.org - Midwest based psytrance group |
|
|
|
Medea
Aedem/Medea
Started Topics :
127
Posts :
1132
Posted : Feb 18, 2009 11:08
|
Quote:
| I am just trying to minimize that variance in volume fluctuation. |
|
why?
anyways, can't get the problem. if you want to keep their volume constant, just keep it... use volume automation, compressor maybe...
Work on low master volume to keep enough headroom for the whole track, and don't care about peaks until everything sounds smooth and how you want, thats my advice
http://soundcloud.com/aedem |
|
|
|
Trip-
IsraTrance Team
Started Topics :
101
Posts :
3239
Posted : Feb 18, 2009 11:34
|
Now I see what you mean...
You worry about the dynamic range of your pads. To make the range smaller you use a compressor - it brings the low levels closer to the higher levels, and can also bring higher levels closer to the low ones.
Hope your problem will be solved 
I have to note, this topic has nothing to do with chill out music - this concerns any material.
You could search the section for compressor and how to use it.
locked.
Crackling universes dive into their own neverending crackle...
AgalactiA |
|
|
|
