Overall Volume Level Normalization

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NoteBender
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2013/04/11 18:27:59 (permalink)

Overall Volume Level Normalization

I have a friend who has the Cakewalk Sonar LE and although he plays the guitar and has a great singing voice he unfortunately has limited computer expertise.  On the other hand, in a previous life I was an electronic technologist, but have very limited audio experience.  After purchasing the Sonar LE with the Roland UA-25EX audio interface a fellow at the local music store helped him with the initial setup, but unfortunately this local guru moved away. 
 
A while back I was at his home and he played a few of the songs back he had recorded using the Sonar LE and I was truly impressed with the high quality he had achieved.  He had a mic fed into an electronic keyboard then into the Roland interface and his Gibson guitar was plugged into the other input.  I think he had half a dozen tracks in each of the WAV files he played for me.
 
He would like to burn a CD using these WAV files except that the overall volume level from one WAV file to the next varies much more than he would like.  He has spent many, many hours creating these files and is not keen on recreating them again from scratch. 
 
I realize this is more than likely a very simplistic issue, but how does one adjust the overall volume of each WAV file while retaining their multi-track content?
 
I don't have access to the Sonar LE manual, but the one general audio book I do have suggests that the overall volume of each WAV file could possibly be adjusted as a copy is being made.
 
It would be much appreciated if someone could please list the steps to adjust the overall volume level of an existing WAV file using the Sonar LE.
 
 
post edited by NoteBender - 2013/04/11 19:02:58
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    Kalle Rantaaho
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    Re:Overall Volume Level Normalization 2013/04/12 02:10:38 (permalink)
    Welcome to the forum!

    What do you mean by wav-files here? There can't be 12 tracks or any other multi-track content in a wav-file? Do you mean SONAR projects? I assume you do.

    If you are talking about volume differences between the exported (project) wavs,  the easiest way is to adjust the master bus volume before you export the project.

    You can also import all the mixed and exported wav-files back to SONAR in one project to fine tune or "master" them.
    On individual tracks volume automation is a standard procedure to level control. Normalizing isn't a crime, but many avoid it being afraid of minor artefacts. However, if you normalize tracks, don't make them too hot, -3 dB max should do in the mixing phase.

    But as mentioned, I don't know if you are talking about mixing tracks in a project or handling exported wavs.
    There are many, many things, starting from EQ and compression assosiated with loudness-related things, but I don't spend more time before I have an idea of what you are actually after.
    post edited by Kalle Rantaaho - 2013/04/12 02:15:32

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    NoteBender
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    Re:Overall Volume Level Normalization 2013/04/12 04:48:55 (permalink)
    Kalle Rantaaho, thank you for your reply.

    As you surmised, I was just guessing at the right terminology.  I will pass your reply along to him and hopefully he will be able to interpret it and get the desired result.


    EDIT:  I believe you are correct in that they are probably projects (wavs) and not .wav files. 
    post edited by NoteBender - 2013/04/12 04:54:33
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