Final export doesn't reflect mix?

Author
fanir
Max Output Level: -89 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 93
  • Joined: 2006/09/09 02:56:54
  • Status: offline
2011/09/30 21:00:30 (permalink)

Final export doesn't reflect mix?

Hello, this might be a dumb question to some. Anyway, I'm having this weird problem where in my mix, I've put used Boost11 for my mixes to be loud enough but each time where I export it, open it up in audacity, it'll be too soft. The final export doesn't reflect the 'loudness' I heard in Sonar. Any ideas? I've set the export preset at 'all'.
#1

3 Replies Related Threads

    Kalle Rantaaho
    Max Output Level: -5 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 7005
    • Joined: 2006/01/09 13:07:59
    • Location: Finland
    • Status: offline
    Re:Final export doesn't reflect mix? 2011/10/01 05:58:17 (permalink)
    What you hear in SONAR does not matter, because what you hear depends on volume settings and such. What matters is the readings of the volume meters (RMS, not peak) and the look of the waveform that is created.

    If you import a commercial track in the same project, and A/B compare them, you'll see the difference.
    Bounce your project on one stereo track inside the project, and compare the audio waveforms to the commercial one.
    Also compare the frequency curves with an analyser.

    If you have not done compression and volume automation before the final export, it's very unlikely you can compress the project in a satisfactory way in one go with Boost 11.

    Getting the "commercial" loudness is not a simple thing. Every decision you make during tracking and mixing matters. Thinking about it after the final mix is too late.

    There's a million posts about mastering and compressing on this forum, and googling can find you a million more, then there are books like Roey Izhakis "Mixing audio" and books by Bob Katz, which are very, very recommendable.

    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.
    The benefit of being a middle aged amateur is the low number of years of frustration ahead of you.
    #2
    Myuzishin
    Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 39
    • Joined: 2009/01/13 01:21:01
    • Status: offline
    Re:Final export doesn't reflect mix? 2011/10/13 04:12:29 (permalink)
    First, verify your Audacity volumes are up. Does the Wav play loud enough in a media player (i.e. is it just Audacity that's low?).

    Assuming that your prints are clean, mix is good, and yer completely happy with everything except the volume, have a look at the wav in Audacity. Got some room? Edit>Select All, then Effect>Amplify, and set the bottom slider to around -0.5 db. Again, this assumes you're happy with the Sonar export, cuz if there's anything in it you don't like, its gonna get louder too.

    No substitute for proper mastering, but it'll do in a pinch.

    Alternatively, turn Boost 11 off, and retweek yer track volumes/compression etc. Ideally you shouldn't need alot of output from Boost11, if toggling it on/off makes  a significant (read 'drastic') difference you may wanna retrace your steps.

    Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the road

    MySoundClickPage
    #3
    Bristol_Jonesey
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 16775
    • Joined: 2007/10/08 15:41:17
    • Location: Bristol, UK
    • Status: offline
    Re:Final export doesn't reflect mix? 2011/10/13 04:30:55 (permalink)
    You also might want to have a look at your routing inside Sonar. What sort of bussing structure are you using?

    If you have multiple tracks including drums, guitars, vocals, keys etc, then ideally you will benefit from having your tracks output to separate busses. But most importantly, you  must also set up a master bus to which all your sub-busses feed.

    The point being that NO track is feeding directly into your Main Out/soundcard because any such track will be bypassing whatever processing you have on your master bus, and your export will never sound the same as what you're hearing when you play the project.

    CbB, Platinum, 64 bit throughout
    Custom built i7 3930, 32Gb RAM, 2 x 1Tb Internal HDD, 1 x 1TB system SSD (Win 7), 1 x 500Gb system SSD (Win 10), 2 x 1Tb External HDD's, Dual boot Win 7 & Win 10 64 Bit, Saffire Pro 26, ISA One, Adam P11A,
    #4
    Jump to:
    © 2024 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1