When I record in RB 2014, I set the input/output volume slider to maximum, just below the clipping range.

When exported to WAV, mp3 or burned CD files, play volumes are too low. How can I record in higher volumes that will sound like commercial CDs, mp3 or WAV files so that I do not have to increase volume knobs of CD player, etc.?

Thanks for help.

Perhaps apply a peak limiter and/or compressor to the master effects slot.

+1

One thing some miss is the slider that lies between the tracks and the 'Buss' side of the mixer.

You think you have the tracks up and the main volume up, but that one slider can catch you.
The two main sliders are pointed out in the first image below. These should always be full when doing final wave in RB.

The third arrow shows a plugin in the Final Out slot and how to look at it's reading. Top image is Ozone levels, which are pretty clear.

Bottom image is of an even more informative Level Reporting plugin (many available) that gives me the Peak VU (clip), Average RMS (loudness) and unique P/A reading that shows on average the dynamic range the song has (Peak over Average) .. not the most extreme dynamic range, but the average.

Many ways to measure it, but you need to make sure the final signal is what you want. The Final Output FX slot(s) is best place to do that.

PGPeakLimit comes with the program and can be used as a simple 'raise the volume' plugin in the Final Out slots. It doesn't have as nice a metering view or any other options, but does have a nice simple clean 'make it louder' algorithm.
Set right slider to '0' and push the left slider up to suit.

I notice this issue as well.....

I use Real Band (RB) to create the tracks I want for the song project I'm working on.

My solution is to move the files created in RB to a different DAW. In my case, Sonar. I do all my mixing in Sonar.

In Sonar, I use normalize on the really weak tracks. Fortunately, not many need this treatment. I apply the EQ and multiband compression again, as needed in Sonar and using automation, get the mix sounding like I want it to sound. I use a mastering plug called Ozone to "polish' the mix and make it shine and thump where needed.

After all this I export the mix and import the wave into my final step in the process.... my wave editor. In the editor, I trim the start and ending of the song and do the final normalization (if needed) to bring the peaks up to just under 100% or better known as 0db. Usually about -3db works for me.

4 steps total.....write in BB, create tracks in RB, mix in Sonar, and finalize the levels in my editor.

Listen to the songs on my website from the link in my signature..... you'll see what I mean.

While the song is nicely done when coming out of BB/RB, in truth, it is far from finished. However, many people stop right there and never take it those final steps. When you do, that's where the magic can happen. An anemic mix can become powerful and full when processed correctly.

Thanks for help Guitarhacker:

My problem is this: when I do file-> wave files-> merge audio tracks with VSTi/DXi tracks into stereo WAVE files...,

RB creates only one track(insttead of my 5 tracks) wave file, so when I open it in a DAW such as Magix Music Studio 2015, it opens only one track and there is no other tracks to mix.

Why does RB save all my 5 tracks into one track, and why RB does not have a volume sliders like BiaB volume sliders? Am I not knowing how to control the volume in RB or is it a programming deficiency in RB?

Thanks a million for help...

Jeff, why is the default RB volume is about half of BiaB, and why doesn't RB have a volume slider like in Biab? Is it going to be fixed in the future?

Thanks.

You're choosing an option that merges the tracks. Not near a PC at the moment. I think its the third menu over after File and Edit. That 3rd column has an option to save out all wave files.

Thanks Steve. You are a 'genius'.

It's the last Menu option in: File-> WAVE Files-> Save all tracks to WAVE files...

This made one files that contained all of my 5 tracks into individual tracks, then I imported 5 of them into Magix Studio and re-arranged to be stacked on top of another so they start play at same time, then I was able to Mix individually...

Some work but it is done. Now I wonder if there is better mixing software to make this easier? Magix Studio 2015 is $49 beginner's DAW...

Save $49 and mix them right in RB ..

It has a mixer, with VST FX, AUX busses, subgroups etc etc.

If you take a little time to learn it you can mix right in RB.
Actually, you've already done it; when you hit 'Merge to Stereo Wave' it took your mix from RB and made a wav file for you (mixdown).
The reason it was so low is because you had sliders down low.
To check;
Open the mixer (hold CTRL key and hit the number 8 key or click on Mixer).

Between the left side showing all the Tracks (with their volume sliders) and the right side (with AUX and main outs including their associated siders) you'll see a single slider marked 'All'. Keep this one all the way to the top. Also the 'A1' slider in the bottom right set should also be set all the way up. The image below points out the two sliders.

This way, RB works at 'full volume' for your mix/merge/export functions..

Thanks rharv for info.

Here is what I have done so far to boost the volume in RB:

(1) Set the Windows audio settings and PC speaker levels to max.

(2) In RB mix window, I push all the track volume sliders, "ALL" master volume slider, the right side FX sliders to top position.

There are no more volume sliders to push to maximum, the output volume is still low, and the volume indicators hover around -12dB, which is half of Biab's 0dB.

So I now import the .SEQ into Magix Studio, in the Mix window I push the track and the master volume sliders to reach about 0dB, then export to an MP3 file...good volume! I don't need Magix Studio if I can only boost the volume to about 0dB in RB, like in Biab where I can adjust the desired volume... sigh....

I tend to think that this is a 'programming deficiency' in RB, since we don't have this problem in Biab!

It's a setting somewhere .. you just need to find it.
It's not a programming deficiency, but rather a setting somewhere.

I have produced plenty of wav files from RB that were MUCH louder than what you describe (and much louder than BiaB).

Does the RB output VU meter reflect the -12 dB? Or does it look like RB should be louder when rendered (close to zero) but it isn't?

Edit; As Jeff Y suggested, try putting a PeakLimiter in the output and see if that helps.
In the image below I inserted the PGPeakLimit plugin in the main output slot (by clicking the FX button) and boosted +6 dB.

See if that makes a difference when rendering the whole mix.

Thanks rharv, it worked! I was able to bring up the playback slider just past the -12 mark and nearing -6 range.
Your instruction and illustration are very easy good to follow.

One other issue: whenever I open a file into RB, I have the Song Summary pop up window shows up and I can't find anyway to stop it from showing...somewhat redundant for my use. Any suggestions? Thanks a million

Hi Jazzerbird. I use the fx button and the trim knob to adjust individual track volumes also. Cheers.

Thanks Rharv, this is a great tutorial on some of the details of rendering. Was having the same issues myself. Thanks for posting.

Jeff

Prefs - File tab has many options, so does the general tab.

Yes...there's an option there to EXPORT the tracks individually. I use that..... export them to a folder and then copy them into Sonar.... (or your choice of external DAW.)

Jol, do you understand what a compressor, limiter, EQ and such do? Each of those can greatly reduce or increase the volume of either a single track or a complete mix.

RB will by default record audio tracks low because the program has no way of knowing if you're only recording q1

Jol, do you understand what a compressor, limiter, EQ and such do? Then there's the gain change one. Try a gain change of 10 and see what happens. Each of those can greatly reduce or increase the volume of either a single track or a complete mix.

RB will by default record audio tracks low because the program has no way of knowing what kind of effects you want to use. The basic recording is simply a raw audio file, usually recorded without effects. This is to give the mixing engineer (you) the freedom to experiment. If you put a smiley face EQ on a track you could boost it by 6 DB right there. If you then add a compressor to reduce some peaks there's another DB boost. RB gives you 4 effects slots and there's a big difference between what order you put them in.

Check out Edit>Audio Effects.

People who come to RB after using another DAW for years never bother to learn all the ins and outs of RB because they don't need to, they're already familiar with their regular DAW and that's fine. Why waste all that time learning what is basically duplicate functions?

But don't assume RB can't do everything your favorite DAW can but differently. All the DAW's are different but they all will get the job done and so will RB. All those PG effects plugs are world class, they just don't look it. The various effects windows are pretty bland looking, no cool colors and graphs but the underlying effects engines are very good. This has been verified over the years by some big name people who really know this stuff including the famous programmers who wrote those effects.

You can duplicate a full mixing and mastering suite right in little ole Real Band no problem at all, it just doesn't look like the science station of the Starship Enterprise.

Bob

DO NOT worry about the volume levels in the mixing stages. It's a common mistake many folks make, wanting the volume to be up.... However, the important part in mixing, is to get the mix and the EQ right..... make it sound good.

You can ALWAYS, ALWAYS use audio tools after the fact, in 3rd party editors and mastering suites to get the volume up.

My process involves getting the mix right and sonically solid. Then I export the song and load it into a 3rd party audio editor. It's there that I urge the last little bit of gain out of the mix track.

I look at each of the tools I have and realize that they all have a purpose and a job that they do exceptionally well. I use each one in the area of it's strength. As a result, I have one song, that is acoustic in nature, that folks have commented that it was louder than some of the rocker tunes on the same forum site, but it was also crystal clear. They were asking how I managed that task. It might have been the song SAD GOODBYE on my website.... but I'm not 100% sure since it was years ago.

The point is you can always get the volume up... but be sure you are working with a balanced mix. Get that done first...worry later with the levels.

as herb said clean mix is number one. If you mix to 0db you are risking a very bad mix. Anything over 0db is already clipped digitally, and will sound harsh. mix to around -12db and then when summed at the mixing buss you will have a great mix. then boost gain either with a peak limiter, or a audio mastering program after the mix down

Yup ^^^^^ on all my mixes that are exported as finished.... the volume is lower than I would like it,,,and the mix is under 0db.... you need head room for the final steps including conversion to MP3 and or mastering professionally.

I use Normalize in my editor to grab some linear gain but it's still UNDER 0db when finished......

I use this process on ALL my tunes..... have a listen and compare the levels to other folks music..... and compare it to professional mixes as well.

Hi Jazzmammal, thanks for the tip.

I realize that recording in RB is but a small step but the mixing is an art and it is an awesome task for us amateur musicians to master. I had to buy two books on mixing and spent hours in RB manual on mixing and I just have scratched the surface of the mysterious world of mixing!

For quick start, I was able to increase the volume in RB by going to Dxi/Vcx settings window and boosting the Peak Limit level to +6 and now my WAV output is loud enough, but learning the mixing technique might take more than two years...I am afraid we'll be too old to be useful and productive by the time we get enough expertise in mixing technique!

Thanks to all contributers, we are the network of music loving brothers helping each other and I am very grateful that we have such brotherly camaraderie...Happy New Year everyone!