Is it critical to boost or attenuate the volume of a particular sound, lets say a kick, when all the other instruments are playing, so that to find the right balance between the sounds and avoid clipping? Or is it rather to use limiter or any other technique?

There is only one correct volume to each track in the mix.

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quote:

Originally posted by Subtle There is only one correct volume to each track in the mix.

...which is?

+1 dBfs

anyways being serious, it is always more accurate to change the individual part via automation than to use a limiter/compressor but it will take more time and will lack the colouring most want from a compressor.

The thing is when all the instruments are playing in my track kick seems to be a little bit loud and another weird thing: why if i listen it on my speakers, it sounds ok, but when i transfer it to my phone and listen it through its tiny speakers, everything sounds distorted sometimes and the kick is heavier than when listening through the speakers?

Last edited by Microlab on Dec-07-2009 at 19:59

quote:

Originally posted by Microlab ...which is?

...dependent on the track you're making.

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quote:

Originally posted by Mr.Mystery ...dependent on the track you're making.

So one may change the volume of a kick as all the channels are playing? And how would you comment on my previous post?

quote:

Originally posted by Microlab ...which is?

Everything relative to the kickdrum.

The volume of a track is a piece of cake, its the other things you have to do in order to make a sound sit good in the mix that counts (equaliser, compressors, reverb, delays etc.)

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By automating the sound?

You shouldnt have to automate the volume of the kick drum unless its for a creative reason e.g. at the end of a certain phrase or some type of buildup effect etc..

If your kick is too loud then just turn it down, if it sounds weird when other sounds come in then you'll have to maybe choose different sounds, use eq on those conflicting sounds or some other alternative.

Also if your track sounds different on your phone as opposed to your monitors then thats a matter of translation from your monitors to other speakers....

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quote:

Originally posted by Subtle Everything relative to the kickdrum. The volume of a track is a piece of cake, its the other things you have to do in order to make a sound sit good in the mix that counts (equaliser, compressors, reverb, delays etc.)

I actually completely disagree. I think volumes are the most important parts of a track, and knowing how to set them, and then how to ride them is all you should need to produce a good track.

I always mix with the kick drum as a reference, for what its worth.

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quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips I actually completely disagree. I think volumes are the most important parts of a track, and knowing how to set them, and then how to ride them is all you should need to produce a good track.

I do tend to use the equaliser more than the volume knob, which is sort of the same just more control over it.

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