• SONAR
  • Best techniques to equalize different instrument libraries
2016/09/18 09:54:47
rogeriodec
I dont know if this topic has been discussed here before, but one of the difficulties I have is to achieve a sound result that simulate the same recording environment when mixing instruments from different libraries.
Ok, I think the first thing to do to equalize the room of all instruments, is to remove all its native reverb (makes them more close, dry as much as possible).
But even after that, many instruments still remain with some reverb tail. Also, there are different mics, different rooms, different distances for each library that is launched on the market every day.
My question is to know if anyone has any technique that facilitates this homogenization of sounds between different libraries?
2016/09/18 10:49:37
Grave Protocol
I sometimes use DeVerberate . I believe Izotope's Rx suite also has a deverberator, as well as a targeted noise removal tool.
Then I may use a gate/expander to cut out whatever ambient noise there may be (traffic, air conditioning.)
 
I hear good things about Drumatom for removing room sounds from drums.
2016/09/18 11:42:08
rogeriodec
Hammerhole
I sometimes use DeVerberate . I believe Izotope's Rx suite also has a deverberator, as well as a targeted noise removal tool.
Then I may use a gate/expander to cut out whatever ambient noise there may be (traffic, air conditioning.)
 
I hear good things about Drumatom for removing room sounds from drums.




Great tips! I'm testing DeVerberate demo, and I got great results!
Thank you.
2016/09/18 11:52:25
Kamikaze
Coincidentally I've just been looking into remove removings but coming from the other direction. I'm looking to get SampleModelly Brass, which is anechoic, but mixing with my live winds recorded in an apartment. Idea was to remove the edge off the reverb from my live sounds and put them both in the same space with added reverb.
 
DeVerberate seems to come out favorably against costlier option from iZoptope. SPL' DeVerb is a little cheaper, and based on the transient designer. So I'm thinking it may suit percussive materiel more. Will have to try with the TS64 in Sonar to see who that compares to the Acon's results
2016/09/18 12:41:59
bitflipper
This is why most of the high-end libraries are either recorded dry, or offer a dry option. Often, they sound pretty dull out of the box, leading some to question their price tags. But the idea is that you will add the appropriate ambiance yourself to make them sound as though they're all in the same room.
2016/09/18 13:57:02
rogeriodec
bitflipper
This is why most of the high-end libraries are either recorded dry, or offer a dry option. Often, they sound pretty dull out of the box, leading some to question their price tags. But the idea is that you will add the appropriate ambiance yourself to make them sound as though they're all in the same room.


Exactly. But even with the dry option (close mics, switching off reverb, etc.), there are still significant differences among some libraries, according to their recording quality and procedures.
In fact, from what I'm understanding, the best way to equalize different instrument libraries is:
  1. Use only the close mics, turn off all reverbs, just dry samples;
  2. If after that some audible reverb tail or early reflections still remains: remove it with Deverberate ot similar plugin;
  3. Clean up any possible unwanted noise with a gate/expander;
  4. Eventually make some eq adjustment is necessary to balance the tone colors between libraries;
  5. Done all this, apparently all libraries should have more flat sound possible.
From there I think it is possible to apply an appropriate impulse response and pan.
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