Discrepancy between track level and master level?

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califran
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2012/06/21 03:47:54 (permalink)

Discrepancy between track level and master level?

(Sonar Producer 8.53)
 
I'm working on a recording with about 30 audio tracks, most archived. When I solo a track -- for instance the lead vocal -- its level is 5.5 db below the master level. Again for instance, when the track level is -3.0, the master level is 2.5.
 
If I import the same lead vocal track into a fresh Sonar project, the track level and the master level are identical. When the track level is -3.0, the master level is -3.0.
 
This problem just cropped up, after I'd been working on the recording about 20 hours.
 
Any idea what might be causing it?
 
Thanks all.
#1

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    Kalle Rantaaho
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    Re:Discrepancy between track level and master level? 2012/06/21 04:24:50 (permalink)
    Just to make sure: No effects involved??

    Could there be some added gain in the Master Bus? Are the meters showing the same thing, ie. one is not showing peaks and the other RMS?

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    Bristol_Jonesey
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    Re:Discrepancy between track level and master level? 2012/06/21 04:30:07 (permalink)
    In order to import the wav into a fresh project, you must have exported the wav at some point yes?

    What processing was applied to this wav prior to exporting?

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    califran
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    Re:Discrepancy between track level and master level? 2012/06/21 04:41:44 (permalink)
    Kalle Rantaaho


    Just to make sure: No effects involved??

    Could there be some added gain in the Master Bus? Are the meters showing the same thing, ie. one is not showing peaks and the other RMS?

    Thanks for the quick reply.


    No, no effects.


    The Master Bus level and the individual track level are set at 0. Is there another way I might have boosted the master gain without realizing it?


    I don't know how to instruct a meter to show RMS. That doesn't mean I didn't do so accidentally.
    #4
    califran
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    Re:Discrepancy between track level and master level? 2012/06/21 04:42:46 (permalink)
    Bristol_Jonesey


    In order to import the wav into a fresh project, you must have exported the wav at some point yes?

    What processing was applied to this wav prior to exporting?

    Thanks for the quick reply.


    No processing. I exported the wav dry.
    #5
    califran
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    Re:Discrepancy between track level and master level? 2012/06/21 04:55:42 (permalink)

    Thanks for the quick reply. 

    No, no effects. 

    The Master Bus level and the individual track level are set at 0. Is there another way I might have boosted the master gain without realizing it? 

    I don't know how to instruct a meter to show RMS. That doesn't mean I didn't do so accidentally. 
    #6
    Bristol_Jonesey
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    Re:Discrepancy between track level and master level? 2012/06/21 05:04:47 (permalink)
    I think we might need to know your full routing structure, what busses have you got set up, where do each of them have their output directed.

    Also, what options did you choose when exporting the vocal track

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    califran
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    Re:Discrepancy between track level and master level? 2012/06/21 05:12:29 (permalink)
    There are two busses set up for Toontrack EZMix, but I'm not sending the tracks there. Everything goes to Master out. When I sent the vocal to one of the busses -- just to see what would happen -- the master was even louder relative to the track, about 12 db difference.

    I exported the vocal track to 32-bit mono.
    #8
    califran
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    Re:Discrepancy between track level and master level? 2012/06/21 05:19:24 (permalink)
    It's almost dawn here, and I have to get some sleep. I'll check the thread when I wake up. Thanks again for all your help.
    #9
    bitflipper
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    Re:Discrepancy between track level and master level? 2012/06/21 11:07:53 (permalink)
    Offset mode?


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    #10
    califran
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    Re:Discrepancy between track level and master level? 2012/08/02 04:09:26 (permalink)
    Thanks for the quick reply, sorry for taking so long to answer (work, health, family, life) . . .

    I think you're right, it's offset. I don't entirely understand how offset functions, but as best I can tell, it fits.

    Thanks a lot, everyone.
    #11
    Kalle Rantaaho
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    Re:Discrepancy between track level and master level? 2012/08/02 05:49:01 (permalink)
    califran


    There are two busses set up for Toontrack EZMix, but I'm not sending the tracks there. Everything goes to Master out. When I sent the vocal to one of the busses -- just to see what would happen -- the master was even louder relative to the track, about 12 db difference.

    I exported the vocal track to 32-bit mono.


    It's recommendable to route everything through the master bus. If I read you correctly, you're not using Master Bus. That way the projects output is better in control.

    SONAR PE 8.5.3, Asus P5B, 2,4 Ghz Dual Core, 4 Gb RAM, GF 7300, EMU 1820, Bluetube Pre  -  Kontakt4, Ozone, Addictive Drums, PSP Mixpack2, Melda Creative Pack, Melodyne Plugin etc.
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    #12
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