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quinn
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2017/09/10 00:55:36 (permalink)

Boost Song Volume

I have a song with tracks that were created in Sonar Platinum and then exported as wav files and imported into Pro Tools.  Working with an engineer, vocals were recorded and the song was mixed and mastered.  The result was good except that it is just not loud enough.  I’m just looking for average volume relative to other hip hop tracks. I could go back and spend more money, since I have no sense of how to master.  But I’m trying to import the mixed/mastered wav file into a new Sonar Platinum project and increase the loudness there.  But when the file is imported, and the Track 1 and Master Bus volumes are at 0.db, the song is already just below the peak level.  Are there any options available to boost the song’s volume?
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    GuitarGuy
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    Re: Boost Song Volume 2017/09/10 02:39:05 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby quinn 2017/09/10 05:21:48
    You said the song was already mastered.  The mastering engineer should have taken care of any loudness problems - this assumes that the mixing engineer left enough headroom for the mastering engineer do work his magic.
     
    Sounds like you need to start from scratch and have it remixed and remastered properly.

     
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    kellerpj
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    Re: Boost Song Volume 2017/09/10 04:16:05 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby quinn 2017/09/10 05:21:57
    I'm not sure about the levels you speak of.  But, I typically have been using the recently added Adaptive Limiter to boost the "loudness" of my master track.  You might want to try out the Adaptive Limiter.
     
    Hope this helps,
    Paul

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    quinn
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    Re: Boost Song Volume 2017/09/10 05:21:04 (permalink)
    I found that when creating a new project there are mastering templates, including "Louder and Scooped".  Creating a new project with this template and then exporting a wav file (using the default "Entire Mix"/32 bit) the song is louder. I don't really understand what the FX chains are doing, and I'm not sure what scooped refers to.  I need to listen more to see if there are downsides to this.
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    KingsMix
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    Re: Boost Song Volume 2017/09/10 09:27:31 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby quinn 2017/09/10 20:31:28
    quinn
    I found that when creating a new project there are mastering templates, including "Louder and Scooped".  Creating a new project with this template and then exporting a wav file (using the default "Entire Mix"/32 bit) the song is louder. I don't really understand what the FX chains are doing, and I'm not sure what scooped refers to.  I need to listen more to see if there are downsides to this.


    Are you sure you are using the right terminology when you say mixed and mastered? If the song is actually mixed and mastered, and you are already at 0 dB that is definitely going to be an issue when it comes to your sound quality on the end result if you are trying to master an already mastered project. Yes you can make it louder, with just a limiter (Adaptive Limiter or any other limiter that you may have) but because there is no headroom, it definitely won't sound like a clean finish relative to other hip hop tracks (take that you are referring to commercially released hip hop tracks). If you can get the original mix before it was "mastered" you will have a better shot at getting your levels up.
    #5
    quinn
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    Re: Boost Song Volume 2017/09/11 00:16:00 (permalink)
    Well the same engineer did the mixing and the mastering.  Using the "louder and scooped" template, the song is now louder.  But it's also muddier.  So it seems like I'll have to have this redone.
     
    Thx to all for your responses.
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