sharpdion23
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How do I set up before mixing?
I have a SPS-66 Firewire Interface and I was wondering, how far should I turn the output/volume knob? I was thinking that if I had it set at the wrong spot that I would be pushing my tracks into the red zone just because my volume knob on the SPS Interface was set too low. How do I know where to set the SPS-66 Interface volume knob?
Another quick question is: Do I mix with headphones or monitor speakers?
Win7 pro 64bit*SonarX1 PE 64 bit* AMD Athlon(tm)64 X2 Dual Processor 6000+ 3.00 Ghz* 4GB Ram* 232GB HD* Cakewalk MA-15D* SPS-66 FireWire
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Bristol_Jonesey
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Re:How do I set up before mixing?
2012/03/06 06:22:03
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☄ Helpful
Mix on Monitors
Check on Headphones
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jamesyoyo
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Re:How do I set up before mixing?
2012/03/06 07:01:54
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The rule of thumb is to mix at conversation level, and only turn it up to around 83db to check the impact.
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batsbrew
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Re:How do I set up before mixing?
2012/03/06 10:40:39
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and use a decibel meter, to help you mark your volume knob on your playback system.
or, if you have a software mixer, that lets you save 'scenes', save one for regular mix volume, and one for the 83dB setting james mentioned.
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sharpdion23
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Re:How do I set up before mixing?
2012/03/06 11:17:42
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jamesyoyo
The rule of thumb is to mix at conversation level, and only turn it up to around 83db to check the impact.
Thanks for the reply on this matter james and bats. The problem I really am having is what if my volume knob (On the SPS-66 Interface OR Monitor Speakers) are set too low. How do I know which to do? Do I turn the volume knob (on the SPS-66 Interface OR Monitor Speaker Volume) or do I adjust the Volume faders (In Cakewalk Sonar software) to increase the volume? How do I know which is set too low? Is my Interface or monitor speakers volume knob set too low? or is the faders on my tracks set too low? Thanks!
Win7 pro 64bit*SonarX1 PE 64 bit* AMD Athlon(tm)64 X2 Dual Processor 6000+ 3.00 Ghz* 4GB Ram* 232GB HD* Cakewalk MA-15D* SPS-66 FireWire
Owner of Sonar 6 Studio* Sonar 7 PE * Sonar 8.0 PE * Sonar 8.5.3 PE * Sonar X1 PE *
Link to upload Screens: http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=1592276 A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I'm afraid of widths.
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Guitarhacker
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Re:How do I set up before mixing?
2012/03/06 14:56:02
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My interface is set about 55% or so on the gain input. That pretty much is rarely adjusted. That setting came from recording and experimenting. I get good audio input levels to the tracks at that level. I marked the knob on the line with a sharpie so I can see at a glance where it's at. In the DAW, the first thing I do in there is to group the master faders as one, and pull them down to 50%. I generally track and mix at low volume using the Master outputs to control the volume to the monitors ...NOT the master buss. The master buss is generally somewhere under 0db, but as close to 0db as I can get without seeing red. I do not worry about this setting until I'm in the final mixing stage. Then, the master buss fader gets adjusted to keep the meter out of the red, and on final export the master outputs get run up to 0db. I rarely listen to playback with the master faders up on 0db as it is pretty loud. As a side note..... I have the monitors running at 50% on their volume knob, and they never get moved. Note: I also have a software console for the Saffire interface that controls the input levels and the output levels from the Focusrite interface..... that is also set from experimentation and left alone.
post edited by Guitarhacker - 2012/03/06 15:01:16
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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sharpdion23
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Re:How do I set up before mixing?
2012/03/06 15:32:43
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I have my interface set to about 45%.
Is there simple steps to go through to get the right setting on how far I should turn my volume knob on my inteface? Maybe something like: Give me an audio file, I put it in sonar with all settings at default and when I listen to it, it should be about conversation level. Otherwise the only thing I need to adjust is the volume knob on my interface.
Also what is master output? I only know the master bus...
Win7 pro 64bit*SonarX1 PE 64 bit* AMD Athlon(tm)64 X2 Dual Processor 6000+ 3.00 Ghz* 4GB Ram* 232GB HD* Cakewalk MA-15D* SPS-66 FireWire
Owner of Sonar 6 Studio* Sonar 7 PE * Sonar 8.0 PE * Sonar 8.5.3 PE * Sonar X1 PE *
Link to upload Screens: http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=1592276 A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I'm afraid of widths.
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PGShadow
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Re:How do I set up before mixing?
2012/03/07 01:28:22
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The Master output can be found in the "console veiw" screen at the far right side of the screen. You may have to click and drag it sideways into view.
My best advice on setting record levels is, arm a track to record and play your instrument. Your signal on the meter should just getting into the red. Use your interface input volume to achieve that.
Hope that helps.
Gateway FX/intel i7-860/ 8gig DDR3/ 1TB Drive/Win7-64/ Sonar 8.5Pro/X1Pro/X2Pro w/QF308/Tascam US-1641/Yamaha HS-50 Monitor's & HS-10sub/ Digitech GnX3 guitar processor/ Digitech BP100 Bass processor/ART DSP II preamp/ MXL 770 &990/ Yamaha RM50 Drum Brain,Custom Mesh head Kit/ rack "O" toyz......And ONE BIG VIsa bill
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sharpdion23
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Re:How do I set up before mixing?
2012/03/07 14:20:39
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@PGS. I understand the recording levels. My question was the playback. All I needed to know is how do I know which to adjust.
For example: I play a track and it is too soft. Now do I adjust the track volume fader or do I turn the vilume knob on my interface or Monitor speakers?
I don't want to be mixing and I am pushing the volume faders when really I just need to turn the interface volume knob. I just have this feeling that if I do use the faders when I am supposed to actually turn the interface volume knob, it will affect my mix.
Are the Master Outputs the one in Console View with the red faders?
Win7 pro 64bit*SonarX1 PE 64 bit* AMD Athlon(tm)64 X2 Dual Processor 6000+ 3.00 Ghz* 4GB Ram* 232GB HD* Cakewalk MA-15D* SPS-66 FireWire
Owner of Sonar 6 Studio* Sonar 7 PE * Sonar 8.0 PE * Sonar 8.5.3 PE * Sonar X1 PE *
Link to upload Screens: http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=1592276 A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I'm afraid of widths.
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PGShadow
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Re:How do I set up before mixing?
2012/03/07 19:00:20
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My Monitor volumes never get touched, I have them set to about 75-80% and the output on the interface depends on the time of day and if anyone else is home..so really a none factor aswell. OK, if your happy with what you recorded, High light the clip(L click) select the "process" tab at the top of the screen, select "audio" then "gain", pick the drop down window, you'll get a bunch of level adjustment values there. If your not happy with your recording, adjust your interface channel input vol. and re-record. Yes the interface main outs in Sonar in the console veiw are the red faders...should be set at 0. Hope that helps PG
post edited by PGShadow - 2012/03/07 19:03:57
Gateway FX/intel i7-860/ 8gig DDR3/ 1TB Drive/Win7-64/ Sonar 8.5Pro/X1Pro/X2Pro w/QF308/Tascam US-1641/Yamaha HS-50 Monitor's & HS-10sub/ Digitech GnX3 guitar processor/ Digitech BP100 Bass processor/ART DSP II preamp/ MXL 770 &990/ Yamaha RM50 Drum Brain,Custom Mesh head Kit/ rack "O" toyz......And ONE BIG VIsa bill
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sharpdion23
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Re:How do I set up before mixing?
2012/03/07 19:07:17
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So are you saying that it doesn't matter what my volume is at on my interface? Also whay did you set you monitor volume at 75-80%? Is there a reason behind this?
I don't see the audio under proccess. I am using Sonar X1 PE.
Are the Master Outputs the on in Consile View with the red faders?
Win7 pro 64bit*SonarX1 PE 64 bit* AMD Athlon(tm)64 X2 Dual Processor 6000+ 3.00 Ghz* 4GB Ram* 232GB HD* Cakewalk MA-15D* SPS-66 FireWire
Owner of Sonar 6 Studio* Sonar 7 PE * Sonar 8.0 PE * Sonar 8.5.3 PE * Sonar X1 PE *
Link to upload Screens: http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=1592276 A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I'm afraid of widths.
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Guitarhacker
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Re:How do I set up before mixing?
2012/03/07 20:46:27
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I believe the master outs are the red faders.
In my DAW...X1 and default.... the tracks are on the left side..... the master output for the Soundcard/interface are all the way to the right..... and to the left of the master output dual faders, are the busses tucked between the master and the tracks. The tracks and busses all have single faders in the console view.... the master out has 2 faders in the track....for stereo.... L&R.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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sharpdion23
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Re:How do I set up before mixing?
2012/03/07 21:42:21
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Thanks, that cleared it up!
Win7 pro 64bit*SonarX1 PE 64 bit* AMD Athlon(tm)64 X2 Dual Processor 6000+ 3.00 Ghz* 4GB Ram* 232GB HD* Cakewalk MA-15D* SPS-66 FireWire
Owner of Sonar 6 Studio* Sonar 7 PE * Sonar 8.0 PE * Sonar 8.5.3 PE * Sonar X1 PE *
Link to upload Screens: http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=1592276 A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I'm afraid of widths.
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