alonzoeg
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My Playback and recording levels too low
Compared to the volume of other media, like Youtube, music in my computer, and so on, the recording and playback levels are too low in my Sonar. I am using EastWest libraries, Sonar Artist, no special sound card (the one installed in PC), Dell XPS I7,64bit.
I've recorded a few things and the volume is low compared to media online, as well. I uploaded to Pond5 and had to download because the levels were more a little less than had of the other uploads from other artists.
Help, please
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cclarry
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Re: My Playback and recording levels too low
2017/09/23 21:15:18
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Media online has been "Mastered" which raises the perceived
loudness. This is why they seem "Louder".
Mastering is an Art unto itself. There are Mastering
services you can use, or you can use Mastering plugins like
Ozone or T-Racks, if you feel up to the task. I highly recommend
learning about "Loudness Levels"...
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chuckebaby
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Re: My Playback and recording levels too low
2017/09/23 21:19:29
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☄ Helpfulby cclarry 2017/09/23 22:25:20
you don't mention what your export levels are set at.
for example are you exporting at -8 / -6 db or are you exporting at 0 db ?
Cclarry bring up a good point, if your songs are not maximized in the RMS and only peak levels they are bound to sound weak to the comparison of you tube and others.
Windows 8.1 X64 Sonar Platinum x64 Custom built: Asrock z97 1150 - Intel I7 4790k - 16GB corsair DDR3 1600 - PNY SSD 220GBFocusrite Saffire 18I8 - Mackie Control
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alonzoeg
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Re: My Playback and recording levels too low
2017/09/24 01:33:14
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Thanks, everyone.
Chuck, my levels were all above 6 and I even boosted the master with the Dynamics Boost plugin included in Sonar. So, if I get these mastering software items (Ozone or T-Racks), I would have the option to increase the volume of my output? And, does Sonar sell anything similar to these softwares?
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35mm
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Re: My Playback and recording levels too low
2017/09/24 02:16:47
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You just need a good mastering limiter and some knowledge on how to use it. You don't need anything expensive. Cakewalk as one that is included in Splat and may be available to buy separately - can't think what it is called off the top of my head. I have it in Splat and have tried it. It's ok! My favorite is Limitless by DMG audio - quite expensive but one of the best mastering limiters I have come across and very usable and versatile. I would suggest before you go any further to search google for mastering, loudness and limiting to get some idea for what you need.
Splat, Win 10 64bit and all sorts of musical odds and sods collected over the years, but still missing a lot of my old analogue stuff I sold off years ago.
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alonzoeg
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Re: My Playback and recording levels too low
2017/09/24 02:37:52
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I will, 35. Thank you. The ozone appears to be offered as trial version. I will test it.
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chuckebaby
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Re: My Playback and recording levels too low
2017/09/24 11:15:56
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alonzoeg
Thanks, everyone.
Chuck, my levels were all above 6
If you mean +6 db, that's too high my friend. I would be shooting for -9 to - 6 and mix it. open up sonar again and import that file you made at -9 to -6 This should be mastered to -0.2 to -0.3 db. I personally choose -0.1 but that's cause im a jerk. Remember its not about music at this stage, its about noise and noise level. you want to squeeze the sound to raise the RMS while still trying to retain the dynamics of the song. If you look at the wave form of your first mix (the one that was mixed at -9 to -6) it should have spikes and be jagged looking. the master copy should look more rounded with less spikes. Its all about experimenting. Great mixes are always done in 2 stages. Mixed, then sent a way to be mastered.
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HelRazor
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Re: My Playback and recording levels too low
2017/09/24 13:23:18
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There's also services such as LANDR that offer "instant online mastering". Granted I have not used such services and I don't know much about them to recommend them, but that might be a fast track alternative to get your music to the RMS levels that you're used to hearing.
It's also interesting that IK Multimedia will be releasing T-Racks 5 with a number of plug-ins for mixing and mastering, and it will include a plugin they call Master Match that "matches the sound of your mixes using up to 3 different reference tracks with no engineering skills required", so it will be interesting to see what this really does.
Personally I would rather have the knowledge of the mastering process and the ability to shape the final product exactly as I want, or work through a skilled mastering service, but it's interesting that there are these new developments to help more musicians produce final tracks.
I am a soldier in the loudness war, fighting to eliminate dynamic range
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dburns
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Re: My Playback and recording levels too low
2017/09/25 17:30:20
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Wouldn't a good starting place be to normalize to -.3 or so?
Dave Burns Lowell, MA More equipment than skill.
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Cactus Music
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Re: My Playback and recording levels too low
2017/09/25 17:44:00
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How does one record audio without an audio interface??
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Joe_A
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Re: My Playback and recording levels too low
2017/09/26 16:20:43
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☄ Helpfulby JohanSebatianGremlin 2017/09/26 16:48:24
Usually money first is spent on a good audio interface rather that immediately going after Software adds. It sounds like you have a couple dollars.......the probably universal recommendation is to get a quality audio interface that meets your needs. That itself will likely solve your first issues and the software adds are great too.
You'll likely have more good questions as this progresses.
You're on the right track! It sounds like you're on top of things.
jambrose@cfl.rr.com Sonar Plat. Lifetime. Started in Sonar 4, each through 8.5.3PE. Scarlett 18i202nd gen., Edirol FA-101, M-Audio Firewire 410, AMD Phenom II 1045T six core processor, 8GB DDR3, AMD Radeon HD 6450, dual displays, 1.5 TB SATA HD, USB 2, Firewire 1394A, 1394B, 18/22 mixer, EV Q-66, Yamaha HS50M monitors, few guitars, Fender Cybertwin SE, Fender Cyber foot controller, Boss RC20-XL, misc pedals, etc. Win Home Prem 64 bit.
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shmuelyosef
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Re: My Playback and recording levels too low
2017/09/28 00:22:43
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If you haven't already, get intimate with your internal computer mixer...it may be that your DAW output is going through a channel that is set to a low level
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...wicked
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Re: My Playback and recording levels too low
2017/09/28 00:37:27
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shmuelyosef
If you haven't already, get intimate with your internal computer mixer...it may be that your DAW output is going through a channel that is set to a low level
+1. Also is your DAW running through a different path? Some people use their internal hardware chip to run Windows sounds and browser stuff, but their actual audio interface for DAW work. Even the internal hardware has a little applet I'm sure to check levels.
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steviemixx
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Re: My Playback and recording levels too low
2017/09/28 01:49:33
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You can't .. you need an audio interface period.. your software is looking for an audio interface .. if you use the built in audio interface. I promise you that you will be disappointed.. find you and audio interface that is Asio compliant , it will make your life so much easier.. look for something that records at a minimum 24 bit.. there are plenty to choose from. Check out cakewalk suggested audio interfaces
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MondoArt
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Re: My Playback and recording levels too low
2017/09/28 18:39:33
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Neel Songwriter/Producer neelmodi.com Sonar Platinum | Intel i5 | Windows 10 Home | Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 | Akai Advance 61 | NI Komplete 10
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