Quick and probably stupid question, but here we go...

I do all my recording/editing etc. in Sonar7, but recently I've started using the standalone versions of BFD (Drum Synth) and Guitar Rig to jam to tracks on itunes, as this saves me from having to drag each mp3 into a track in Sonar.

For some reason, the relative volumes when doing this are horrendous - itunes (or any other media player) is so lound compared to the output from BFD/Guitar Rig that I have to drop itunes volume to ~10% which seems a bit... ridiculous. I've checked all the output masters on the relevant apps, and the problem isn't there.

I'm running an M-Audio Fast Track Pro and don't have a mixer, so sending to different output and mixing them on hardware is not an option. 

No doubt there's a simple reason for this, but I've never dabbled with standalones before. Ideas, anyone?

I get the opposite problem.

When I run BFD2 inside Sonar, the levels are so hot I have to reduce them all by about 10dB, either via BFD's mixer faders or Sonar's Channel gain/trim

So I can't really help

Is i tunes using your on board or the M audio as a playback device?  just a thought. 
But there is sort of a differance in volume with software output. 
I find VST player is real quiet. 
It just might be that turning i tunes down is the best solution. 
Try a different player. I like win amp I use it for live performances. 

Bristol_Jonesey


I get the opposite problem.

When I run BFD2 inside Sonar, the levels are so hot I have to reduce them all by about 10dB, either via BFD's mixer faders or Sonar's Channel gain/trim

So I can't really help

Inside Sonar, I find BFD to be a bit on the loud side too. I normally just bring the master volume down on the BFD interface. 

Cactus Music


Is i tunes using your on board or the M audio as a playback device?  just a thought. 
But there is sort of a differance in volume with software output. 
I find VST player is real quiet. 
It just might be that turning i tunes down is the best solution. 
Try a different player. I like win amp I use it for live performances. 

The M-Audio is my only playback device (I always eliminate onboards in the bios). 

Since the last itunes update, things have improved somewhat. But I notice that the volume needed to 'match' my drums varies between software. Itunes' optimum is now around 30%, but VLC player has to be dropped to 5% as it's so loud!


Well, at least it's not me being stupid I guess. Just a shame that I'm essentially losing maximum overall volume as a result.

for some reason, the relative volumes when doing this are horrendous - itunes (or any other media player) is so lound compared to the output from BFD/Guitar Rig that I have to drop itunes volume to ~10% which seems a bit... ridiculous. I've checked all the output masters on the relevant apps, and the problem isn't there.

Its  either a gain stage error, signal chain error or a mixing or mastering problem. The volume is 'Relative' depending on certain settings, signal chain, gain staging and other variables you have not accounted for.




CJ

CJaysMusic

for some reason, the relative volumes when doing this are horrendous - itunes (or any other media player) is so lound compared to the output from BFD/Guitar Rig that I have to drop itunes volume to ~10% which seems a bit... ridiculous. I've checked all the output masters on the relevant apps, and the problem isn't there.

Its  either a gain stage error, signal chain error or a mixing or mastering problem. The volume is 'Relative' depending on certain settings, signal chain, gain staging and other variables you have not accounted for.




CJ

I see where you're coming from, but this doesn't really help. If there are any variables I haven't accounted for, it's because there are no options to control them. Everything I CAN adjust has been set correctly (Guitar Rig & BFD I/O, Sound Card levels, Windows Volume Settings, Itunes Volume Settings)


As I'm not running into a DAW or Mixer, there can't be any signal chain errors. There's just two simple audio apps running at the same time, both outputting to the same audio device. The problem is simply that the fixed relative output levels of said apps are miles apart with no means to mix them.


If there's an app out there that can interrupt the signal before it reaches the soundcard and allow mixing, that would help. Failing that, I guess I'm stuck with dropping the output volume on Itunes or running into a DAW, the former costing me overall volume and the latter being a huge timesink.