Check The Technique

I've been working with Sonar for a couple years now, but I'm still not satisfied with my finished projects. My friends keeps telling me that I need to get Pro tools, but I'm still pretty hesitant to give up on Sonar. I've noticed that my friend's songs all seem to be more "full" than mine. His vocals seem to spread evenly, where mine seem to be somewhat scattered and not as strong/thick. His overall volume is up close to C-D quality, where mine is noticeably lower. His compression is also a lot smoother that mine. Here's what I'm doing...

My Vocal Techniques:
                            I record one SET of clips, 25% left and 25% right (both clips are identical).
                            Then I record another SET of clips, 65% left and 65% right (both clips are identical).
                            Then I record 1 clip ("highlight") at 70& left and another (different) clip ("highlight") at 70% right.

                            Then i often route then to different buses depending on if the clips are for the hook or not (to apply diff. effects).
                            I use a slight compression with cakewalk's dynamics processor (about -6)
                            I boost the treble a bit with I-ZOTOPE O-ZONE or sonitus EQ
                            I apple very faint delays or reverbs as needed

My Mixing:       
                           I usually spread my Beat/instrumental via the Channel Tool
                           after getting all the volume levels right i send all my buses to a master bus
                           I add Boost 11 to my master bus and boost the whole song as much as i can without having any negative effects-                              on the overall quality

My set up:
         -Interface: Edirol UA-25EX
         -Mic: MXL 2006
         -Platform: Windows vista (64 bit) home premium
         -Program: Sonar 8 Pro

My Questions:
1)Do any of my methods stand out as being strange or possibly hazardous to the overall quality of my work?
2)Are there any techniques that i should try applying to enhance my overall quality?
3)Is Pro tools really better?

Kalle Rantaaho


You've been answered on the Producer/Studio forum. It's regarded less recommendable to post the same question in different forums.
PS. Read Roey Izhakis book "Mixing audio" or something similar. It's worth it. You need to learn the basics.

+1

You have much to learn. Too much to answer in a single thread. I highly suggest you get a book on mixing audio such as the one mentioned above and read it front to back. Then do it again. Then again. Then practise. Keep it simple. Learn what everything does. Don't do something because you think that's what you should do, do it because that's what the mix needs. Invest your money in that book at you'll save a lot of time, but there are many years of learning ahead before you can expect to be getting some really great mixes. Remember to get yourself a book on recording techniques as well. The biggest factor in getting a good recording, asside from the sound source, is usually the room. Then mic techniques, then mic, then preamp. Deal with the room first. Just read, practise, read, practise!

You're also almost asking for a magic 'one answer fix' it sounds like. There isn't one. Just remember that. There is no easy way around this. It takes a long time to learn.

Mike, he's using the Edirol UA-25EX which has an inbuilt compressor, just in case you wanted to elaborate on that. I shan't as it's bed time for me!

The thing I wondered  in the other forum is that the OP is using Ozone only as a track EQ for boosting trebles!

AT makes a good point... just jumping to PT and hoping that solves it for you..... I think you'll be disappointed after the "new" of PT wears off. Most DAW software platforms will give you superior results in teh hands of someone who knows what they are doing. The best studio in the hands of amateurs with no knowledge will sound like beginners in their bedrooms.

So take the time to pick his brain.... read books and get educated.... it will take time. If it was easy, everyone would be a recording genius.


edit: I have, on occasion used Ozone in a track to eq and compress a vox...... but I always go light on the FX and bounce it to audio.....because I know it will be O4'd in the master..... and I don't want it overcooked in the track.

Kalle Rantaaho


You've been answered on the Producer/Studio forum. It's regarded less recommendable to post the same question in different forums.
PS. Read Roey Izhakis book "Mixing audio" or something similar. It's worth it. You need to learn the basics.

Yeah, sorry about that. I got the impression for the users on Producer/Studio that this was more of a "Technique" than a producer/studio question..

Have to say on this thread as well:

I listened to your tracks, Daeser, and I do like the vocal sound. It works (still I think you could get the same result with a more simple workflow). And you are quite a capable rapper (as if an old hippie knew something about rap :o)

Sonar and pro tools do the same. One will not make your vocals sound better. Your friend need to get in check with reality.
If you cant get good vocals in sonar, you wont get them in pro tools.

Here are some resources I wrote for vocals to help you:

How to get great vocals:
http://audio-mastering-mixing.com/FAQ___Q_A.html#24

Compressors are important with vocal mixing and recording:
http://audio-mastering-mixing.com/FAQ___Q_A.html#22