Need Advice

[Taylor Lucas]

Loudness wars. WHATEVER. I don't care what you think. I need one of my songs to be nice and loud for something, I've spent hours trying to figure it out. I know clarity can also bring you what seems to be a loud song. But I'm having trouble with that too. I have a track that has like 4 vocal tracks, drums (6 tracks in total), 4-5 guitars and a bass. It's a lot of info, and my song clips almost immediately. If I want a nice loud song, whats my best bet.

[CyberCat]

I think the Parametric EQ allows you to increase the overall level.

[pbeasley]

Hi Taylor Lucas. Try the hard limiting effect on each track seperately, that will amplify each track but won't allow them to clip. Mix the song to your taste, make sure the levels arent too high because you will clip the master section. If you like the mix but it is clipping pull back the master fader until it stops clipping. Next, mixdown your song and it will open in the edit view. Select the whole song by left clicking your mouse and dragging across it so it is all highlighted. Use compression, I use broadcast quality, can't remember exactly where it is in the effects menu as I am not at my studio computer at the moment, this will boost your song and make it good and loud without clipping. Hope this helps and that I haven't confused you.

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by CyberCat

I think the Parametric EQ allows you to increase the overall level.

Actually a limiter and/or maximizer will help increase the overall level, along with judicious use of compression.

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by pbeasley

Hi Taylor Lucas. Try the hard limiting effect on each track seperately, that will amplify each track but won't allow them to clip. Mix the song to your taste, make sure the levels arent too high because you will clip the master section. If you like the mix but it is clipping pull back the master fader until it stops clipping. Next, mixdown your song and it will open in the edit view. Select the whole song by left clicking your mouse and dragging across it so it is all highlighted. Use compression, I use broadcast quality, can't remember exactly where it is in the effects menu as I am not at my studio computer at the moment, this will boost your song and make it good and loud without clipping. Hope this helps and that I haven't confused you.

You don't want to limit each track separately. Some tracks won't need limiting. Amplifying each track could rapidly turn into a very muddy song. Be careful.

[bitflipper]

It's a lot of info, and my song clips almost immediately

The advice to use a limiter on the master bus is valid, but it sounds like your tracks are too hot to begin with.

If the tracks are already in the red before you add the limiter, then you've given the limiter nothing to work with and it's just going to squeeze the life out the song and add distortion.

Start by bringing ALL your individual tracks down by at least 6 db. Then throw on the limiter.