Is there an easy way? (Mix-prep Gain setting)

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rspagnuolo
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2016/11/16 23:15:04 (permalink)

Is there an easy way? (Mix-prep Gain setting)

Hello all!
Great forum we have here.
 
I need to know if there is a way to do this:
 
1) I receive tracks to mix.
2) I want the faders all to be at zero when the input is -18.
3) I play the song once through.
4) Then in "Console" view, for each track I adjust the Gain dial at the top of the individual track so that the input readings at the bottom of the faders will be -18 dBFS.
5) Repeat for each track. (Ouch)
 
It's not hard, but it takes a lot of time, especially with a lot of tracks.
 
Is there an easier way to do this?
Does Sonar have a "Make it so, Number One" button to press?
 
Thanks ahead of time for your help,
Ray (aka Oluon)
#1

5 Replies Related Threads

    KingsMix
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    Re: Is there an easy way? (Mix-prep Gain setting) 2016/11/17 08:50:01 (permalink)
    Hi Ray,
    I think there is no way around the normal gain staging process that you have described.
    Believe it or not, I actually find that I move quicker in this initial gain staging process and save my ears for the mixing work by doing this visually with no sound.
    #2
    streckfus
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    Re: Is there an easy way? (Mix-prep Gain setting) 2016/11/17 11:32:02 (permalink)
    Maybe I'm not understanding the question correctly, but the easiest way to "automatically" gain stage your entire project is to select all tracks, then Normalize to -18.
     
    Since you're normalizing the peak value some tracks with a lot of dynamic range or a few stray spikes will likely need to be adjusted with your gain knob so that they're averaging that -18 level you're shooting for, but doing a mass normalize is still quicker than manually adjusting the gain setting for each track.

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    #3
    rspagnuolo
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    Re: Is there an easy way? (Mix-prep Gain setting) 2016/11/17 16:56:22 (permalink)
    Thanks KingsMix and strekfus!
     
    KingsMix: Save the ears; good idea.
    stekfus: I didn't realize normalize could be used like that. I'll try it next time.
    #4
    streckfus
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    Re: Is there an easy way? (Mix-prep Gain setting) 2016/11/17 17:27:39 (permalink)
    Yeah, by default normalize is set to 0db, but it allows you to define the peak level.

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    #5
    chuckebaby
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    Re: Is there an easy way? (Mix-prep Gain setting) 2016/11/18 16:20:46 (permalink)
    Create a Project Template.
    This is what I do. I create a Project template (with icons, colored strips, exc).
    I set the faders, gain knobs where you want, then save it as a template.
    This alleviates the pressure of building from the ground up every single time. 
    You can also create Track Templates to duplicate the tracks settings. FYI Gain is not saved in a track template.
     
    I have multiple generic templates to choose from as there are so many variables.

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    #6
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