Using a reference CD and comparing it to my tracks?

To make media player quieter there is a volume control somewhere...
 
However I suggest you RIP a song off the CD so you have a WAV file, and then import it into a new track in Sonar (into the project you are mixing). Job done.

Reference CD's are great, lots of top producers use them, but remember you can have your own style if you want it. End of the day you are in charge.
 
if you just want to A/B Wav files Audacity has a really good facility to do this.

That is great.
 
I had to turn down the volume of the media player to level out each comparison and it worked, but it seemed like something was wrong.
 
I love the fact that I can just place it on Sonar in the manner you have described.
 
That is excellent and I am so thankful for the great tip.
 
I will do this immediately.
 
I totally agree that I am in charge and that is what I am looking forward to, but being new to this I needed something to guide me in the process of tracking drums and mixing them.
 
I made alot of ground tonight having done exactly this. And, I learned so many things that blew my mind. For example I had horrible bass blooming on the toms. I first compressed the track slightly, then I added LP64EQ and found the frequency that was problematic and removed it. Then, I opened another separate LP64EQ and eq'd the track to what I wanted it to sound like and it worked amazingly. What I did not know was that I could even do this.
 
I thought I was going to have to use "write automation" to change eq settings while the track was running, but instead, decided to "try" using LP64EQ twice. The plugin removed the problematic frequency and then in another iteration allowed me to eq the track to what I wanted. It was so cool.
 
Thanks guys.
 
 

TremoJem
That is great.
 
I had to turn down the volume of the media player to level out each comparison and it worked, but it seemed like something was wrong.
 
I love the fact that I can just place it on Sonar in the manner you have described.
 
That is excellent and I am so thankful for the great tip.
 
I will do this immediately.
 
I totally agree that I am in charge and that is what I am looking forward to, but being new to this I needed something to guide me in the process of tracking drums and mixing them.
 
I made alot of ground tonight having done exactly this. And, I learned so many things that blew my mind. For example I had horrible bass blooming on the toms. I first compressed the track slightly, then I added LP64EQ and found the frequency that was problematic and removed it. Then, I opened another separate LP64EQ and eq'd the track to what I wanted it to sound like and it worked amazingly. What I did not know was that I could even do this.
 
I thought I was going to have to use "write automation" to change eq settings while the track was running, but instead, decided to "try" using LP64EQ twice. The plugin removed the problematic frequency and then in another iteration allowed me to eq the track to what I wanted. It was so cool.
 
Thanks guys.
 
 

You might find the LP64 to be a bit of a resource hungry plugin.
You would probably get the exact same sound you want by using something a little more CPU friendly, like the Sonitus

Great stuff guys, thanks.
 
One question, how does the narrator on the video know the kick is "C3" when making this adjustment to the options of audiosnap?

Hmmm, I will have to check this out. I obviously never used it.
 
So much to learn and so little time.

That is some great stuff. Man, I feel stupid.

Am I missing something. I can't find the US price for MagicAB.
 
All good...found it. $49.07.
 
 

mettelus
 
...For something that is "just drums" you can also use audiosnap for drum replacement. In case this fits the bill for you, here is a quick video on that technique.

Wow. That video opened up a new world for me with drum tracks. Thanks for posting...

Yes, I get that, and I am leaving room for mastering...I think I am at -6db, but the reference was three or four times as loud.
 
I understand now with regards to copying the wave file to a stereo track within Sonar, and I like the idea of MagicAB and Buss Soloing.
 
Great help here as always, thanks everyone.