Boost 11

I just got Boost 11 with my updated version of Sonar 8.5. I have seen many threads on how to use this limiter, but most of the replies seem to be "when" to use it. I have seen the (Boost 11) video several times, but have not been able to figure out how it works. Could someone please list--in "Boosting for Dummies" format--just the 2-4 steps to go thru  to appropriately effect the sound. In other words:
Step 1, increase the __________ by about 2 .
 
I know these would just be suggestions, but I just don't have a good grasp yet about how this works.
 
Thanks very much.
 
Larry
 

Boost 11 is a limiter, which pushes up the overall sound level of your mix (typical use) while not letting it go over 0 dB.  It is a form of automatic gain controller.  You pump up the volume on the input side and it reduces the sound on the output, making the overall volume better.

There is no right way to use it or steps.  Just use your ears.  Just insert it onto a track and raise the volume.  It does the rest automatically.  My suggestion is don't try too much - almost any digital limiter will start to sound "harsh" when used to heavily.  Give it a try and see what you think.

@

First, adjust Boost 11 while the audio track is playing so you can see the resolts of your changes. The OUTPUT knob on the right sets a limit to how loud the audio can go. The BOOST knob on the left increases the volume of the audio. Let's say you have an audio track with some very loud transients compared to the rest of the audio. Set the OUTPUT knob to the max volume you want the track to be. 0 db is the loudest the track can get and may be a little too loud for most applications other than mastering the final mix. I generally use -6 db on a track.

How much boost you add depends on how loud the track already is. You can tell when you have boosted the audio past where you have the OUTPUT set when you see the middle REDUCTION meter working. It will show, in db levels, how much it is limiting the material. If you see large RED peaks in the waveform IN window under the BOOST knob you will know you have seriously changed the dynamics in the audio... which may or may not be what you had intended.

When I use Boost 11 it is usually to knock down a few transients without affecting the overall sound too much. So, I boost the level until I see the reduction meter working just a little. I suggest a bit of practice with it so you can learn to associate what the meters show and what you are hearing.

If you use Boost 11 on a track and the Reduction meter is showing reduction with NO boost, then you can control the level of limiting by raising the Output level.

I routinely normalize my audio to -6 db after recording, so I use -6 db as the Boost 11 output level. Then I slowly raise the Boost level from 0, watching the waveform IN window and the Reduction meter until I'm seeing and hearing the sound I want.

Fog


Larry , have you seen this video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5K2RhXW0bM

by cakewalk's very own Troy Mc Clue ... Robin.... or is Brandon?!?!? ... or even now Seth.. voting to follow shortly :)

basically, don't go crazy on it.. it's a bit like when your cooking and seasoning things :)

That video demonstrates how destructive that thing is. Just say no!

Boost 11 is the reason the voices in Cakewalk Tutorial videos have always sounded so rich and natural.

My biggest complaint about Boost11, which I've voiced here before, is the user interface, because it encourages overcompression.

Watch the "Reduction" meter and ignore the scrolling waveform. How much is enough is a matter of personal taste and genre, but as a general guideline if you're seeing more than 6db reduction, you're also adding audible distortion. If you're after a clear, open sound, you might want to try and keep it under 3db, which will barely register as an occasional red blip on the scrolling waveform display.

If you can't seem to get a full sound with the reduction that low, revisit your mix and see if certain instruments are too dynamic or simply too hot. Bass, kick and snare are frequent culprits. An over-loud bass, bass drum or snare can push the limiter into the red and suck the life out of everything else. Too much low frequency energy will destroy a limiter's ability to fatten your song, forcing it to react to the excessive bottom and ignore the critical midrange.

I think its was not good planning to have it default to VERY LOUD. A lot of first time users will think that's the recommended setting.
I sometimes use it on a kick drum track but don't really like its for much else. Turn that f---- thing down..

Is it Boost's fault that it's creating overly loud and lifeless mixes - or is our society as a whole really to blame?

Well, of course any limiter can be abused, and it's certainly not the tool's fault - it's the tool who's tweaking the knobs!

Still, the UI has a lot to do with how users apply it, especially new users. Take a look at the official Boost11 image below. If you actually set your threshold so as to get a similar picture, you'll have committed an unforgivable crime against your song. But a new user might not realize that.

Maybe Seth knows. Or Brandon. But I'm pretty sure it isn't anything Noel or his wife recorded.

 

Like bitflipper said, this is not realisticly the kind of setting you would use with a limiter

Is this what you guys call spam, Or is it Spork?

hahahahahah

bad bad misspelling, good good song.