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Why the f**k are all my mixes low/weak sounding?
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| DJ Robby Rox |
This is a persistent problem I've always had. I mix a track, get done with the mixing/equal/compression (sometimes I don't use compression). W/e the case it sounds great on my computer speakers, but than EVERYTIME when I put it in my car CD player I have to turn the volume about 150% of regular mixes from pros (corsten, w/e).
When I play the mixes in FL they can BOTH have the SAME decibel ouput. Doesn't matter how high, how much, how little or how much panning/equalizing I do. The volume is always low and weak sounding. No matter what sample kick I use from w/e pack, no matter what I do or how I mix or how much I read the bassy parts of my tracks never punch through. I can turn a regular track up to 23 (not decibels just the # on my cd player) than I have to turn my tracks up to about 47 and they still don't sound as loud, I've been producing for 4 years and this has always been a problem for me.
My tracks sound fine on loud amplified systems but on basic car cd players or mp3 players they're always low and thin. If I put too much bass than I get the muddy sound. Like theres no winning. |
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| echosystm |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox
sometimes I don't use compression |
;) |
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| Lucidity |
| Crank up that limiter and learn to mix:D And if you are mixing on computer speakers, get some decent monitors :toothless |
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| DJ Robby Rox |
| quote: | Originally posted by Lucidity
Crank up that limiter and learn to mix:D And if you are mixing on computer speakers, get some decent monitors :toothless |
Yeh idk, everytime I put a limiter on and play with the knobs it "sounds" louder but than I render it and it still sounds low. Starting to think it might be my crappy factory installed soundcard.. |
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| derail |
It's likely something to do with your frequency balance. Low frequency sounds (and very high frequency sounds) don't sound as loud as the midrange. So your mix can be at 0dB, but not be anywhere near as loud, most likely because there is too much low end in your mix.
Normally, if your mix is nicely balanced, you'll be able to drive it up to "competitive levels" with a limiter, with no limiter-induced distortion/crunchiness happening.
pm me a download link to a track you're frustrated with. I'll provide suggestions for what you need to work on.
On a different note, I'll likely tone down the limiting on my mixes in future - I'm currently doing an advanced diploma of music and we've been listening to some fantastic sounding "full dynamic range" material (as well as some "remastered" versions which have had the levels smashed - the difference is incredible, and incredibly sad). I really need to pay attention to exactly how detrimental the limiter is being to my sound, even if there's no limiter distortion occuring. Dance tracks in the mid nineties weren't limited in the same way as most tracks currently, and they sounded absolutely fine in clubs, they got people dancing like crazy. If I hear some beautiful music/mixing that's a bit quiet, I don't think "it's not loud enough, I'll listen to something else". I turn it up and appreciate the beautiful music/mixing.
School break is coming up soon, time to reflect on this year's tracks so far and where I want to proceed from here!
Fabian |
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| DJ Robby Rox |
| quote: | Originally posted by msz
moar analog |
Yeh thats another thing I was thinking, but even when I play samples/sf2s that are analog generated, I have no idea how crappy they will sound till after I render and play in my car or mp3 player.
I'm thinking my speakers could be a problem because I have 2 - 6" amplified woofers plus some nice highs/mids. I'm thinking the overcompensation in bass is screwing up the way I mix. But even when I turn the volume down so I can turn the bass up (w/out driving neighbors crazy) after I render it the bass is still not even close to professional sounding in my car.
Starting to really believe software has wayy more limits than a lot of people think. I hear all this "its the artist not the gear" crap but theres nothing different I logically feel I can do but get an 8 thousand dollar studio with some real gear.. than theres the money issue, so annoying comparing your music to pros. |
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| Eric J |
| quote: | Originally posted by derail
pm me a download link to a track you're frustrated with. I'll provide suggestions for what you need to work on.
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Seriously, I'd take him up on his offer here. He gave me some advice on one of my tracks a while back and it really helped out.
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox
Starting to really believe software has wayy more limits than a lot of people think. I hear all this "its the artist not the gear" crap but theres nothing different I logically feel I can do but get an 8 thousand dollar studio with some real gear.. than theres the money issue, so annoying comparing your music to pros. |
I can understand how you might think that, especially if you are frustrated at this point. I can totally sympathize, because I thought like that about 2 years ago and went out and purchased a ton of hardware. The results certainly did not give me the sound I was looking for and I just ended up selling a bunch of my outboard hardware because I never used it. Now I have a paired-down studio with only a couple of outboard synths and a few software synthesizers. All of my effects are built-in Logic effects, and they sound just fine.
Software can do wonders for your music if you know how to use it. There are plenty of big time artists out there that have switched to all software studios. Listen to anything from Andy Moor or StoneBridge, those two guys have nearly all software studios and they certainly have what you might consider a "professional sound". Andy Moor in particular has been kicking ass and taking names for quite some time now, and its not because of WHAT he has, but HOW he uses it. The same goes for any pro.
Just keep at it, dude. I promise that if you work hard enough, the knowledge will come. With every track I learn more and more about how to make this music. I 'm just now getting to a point where my stuff is sounding good and I've been at this for 10 years, so dont feel like you've been wasting your time for 4 years.
Don't just listen to this music, but STUDY each track, ask lots of questions, be open to criticsm, and if you get super-frustrated there is nothing wrong with taking a little break. Sometimes a few weeks or a month off from producing can do wonders for your perspective. |
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| DJ Robby Rox |
Thanks Eric, I'm def taking him up on the offer, uploading a track for him right now.
I can say in 4 years my production techniques and sounds have improved heaps since I started, but when I still compare one of my tracks to a "pro", I shake my head like I just don't get it.
I watch videos, read, watch tutorials, analyze my work and try different things constantly. I'm always trying to expand my horizons.
I've seen a couple of pro's on computer musics videos on google video. But I don't see them doing anything that I'm really not doing. Its literally like they open a sample or a synth and it already sounds better just when they open it. I was asking about the Jupiter 8 a few months back because one of the patches this guy opened was sick.
Sounded thick, analog, and didn't thin out when the filter opened. Was mean and aggressive.
I've never gotten a sound like that from z3ta, albino, v-station etc.
I don't know, I'll start by submitting a track to derail, maybe he can point out somethings I'm missing. |
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| mysticalninja |
| maybe ur just bad. lul. |
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| DJ Robby Rox |
lmao!
Could be, but evenso I just listened to 2 of derails tracks and they're mixed great but thats not what I'm concerned about.
The overall volume of both his tracks is MUCH louder. His kick hits a lot harder and all his lower frequency sounds come through better as well.
I know proper mixing provides extra space for sounds, but I know this isn't my issue. This is a really simple track, the kick/bass have no reason to be competing for space. Yet both sound low & aren't coming through right.
If anyone else wants to listen its the same track I sent to derail.
http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/5...R%20-%20RoX.mp3 |
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| theartfulducker |
That track that you posted is only peaking at -1.3 for start. Theres heaps of headroom to pump the volume up there. Its not mixed badly, a bit heavy on the lowend tho.
I have put it through a mild multi band comp to bring out the midhighs and tighten the lowend up, then limited it a little. See if you think that sounds a bit better :)...
Turned Up...
Your overall mixdown levals will have a bit to do with things when trying to get that max volume out... you need the freqeuncy range to be there.
Derail is right that limiters can be terrible!!! Watch em~! |
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