Getting the Bounced file up to a acceptable level.

[tehguitarist]

Ok i know i've read an article before saying how brandon had complaints because his mixes werent as loud as other mainstream artists.

Well i'm having sort of the same problem, but its not that there is too much dynamic range in it, its that when i listen to it in logic, it's the same level as normal cd recordings, i bounce it to wav or aiff and its a bit quieter, i convert to mp3 and its even quieter again. I have to use the volume correction in Itunes to bring it up to proper listening level. I've tried mastering the stereo file then bouncing again... to no avail.

I was wondering if anyone could help me get my song/s up to scratch volume wise.

Also could someone explain to me why, although all my channels never go above -.05 db my main track is clipping at 4.5 db. as shown here.

[brandondrury]

Ok i know i've read an article before saying how brandon had complaints because his mixes werent as loud as other mainstream artists.

That problem is solved.

The Modern Production Delima

its that when i listen to it in logic, it's the same level as normal cd recordings, i bounce it to wav or aiff and its a bit quieter

So when you hit play in your mix, the volume is the same as if you played a cd in Itunes? After hitting render, the volume goes down? If so, Logic is doing something to it. I've never used Logic, so I'm not sure what to tell you on that one. That's very interesting.

The fact that your mp3 software is also doing it is even more strange. My gut says that your mix wasn't as loud as you thought it was in Logic, but that depends on how you are checking the level of your mixes, I guess.

Brandon

[P.P.T.]

"Also could someone explain to me why, although all my channels never go above -.05 db my main track is clipping at 4.5 db. as shown"

It's the cumulative effect of all the tracks summing together.

If you have 1 track and then copy that track to another track at the same volume the 2 playing together will be twice as loud as just one track.

Your track levels are all too high.

[tehguitarist]

Im comparing them just by playing a song in itunes and then hitting play in Logic.

As for the levels would that be parrallel compression and aux sends?

The thing that is confusing me the most is when i convert it from aiff or wav to mp3 it gets even quieter. Thats both converted in Logic and Itunes... though they probably use the same compression methods.. i've never had that problem before with ripping cds or converting formats of actual song files etc.

[P.P.T.]

I don't know why it gets quieter when you bounce it and again when converted to mp3.
I think Brandon is right that it is some setting in your host.

If you are asking me the question about levels and parallel compression then, no, not compression of any sort.
Lower the channel faders. You are mixing too hot.

Your total 2 bus mix should be peaking around -6 to -4 on digital meters and around -18 to -12 on a digital RMS meter.

Once the mix is well balanced you bounce down to 2 track and then apply the finalizing to bring it to something resembling commercial CD levels.

[tehguitarist]

Thanks heaps ill give it a try very soon.

[brandondrury]

I keep my levels in check by starting with getting my drums to hit -10dB on the 2bus after I have them about where I want them. Then I adjust the level of the other tracks to fit well with the drums. I haven't clipped the 2bus since I started doing this.

Then when I'm ready, I'll add a limiter to the 2bus to bring the level up.

Brandon

[P.P.T.]

I don't know how it is in other host.
I use Tracktion and if things get too hot I can shift/click on all of the track volume contrals so that they are all highlighted and then move them all together. It's very handy.