|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,095
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,095 |
I use Audacity as a final step even after a Pro Tools mix. I snip the head and tail and adjust the level using the amplify effect, don't forget to check the box to allow clipping, you won't hear distortion. Will, try this tip to finalize your tracks in Audacity. Before you trim the beginning, create a slight FADE In from the effects menu. Repeat on the ending if you are using a fade out.. FADE OUT from the effects menu. This prevents that abrupt jolt from where you go from the silent lead-in into a high volume beginning. The fade-in can be adjusted before trimming so the fade-in is precise enough you still get the feel of a high volume start but not to the point it jolts you out of your seat. Trim the beginning and end as you normally do. Select ALL Effects Menu - select COMPRESSOR Compress the track but carefully so as to not have any clipping. I normally use 1:5:1 Effects Menu: Select NORMALIZE and normalize the entire song. I normalize to -1db. Using Audacity, these processes in this order provides all my songs to be consistent with a near equal level when played in a playlist. I get a much better balance to each song because the compressor brings up the overall volume level while lowering the peaks. Amplify just brings everything up.. The normalize after compression usually lowers the track level rather than bringing it up and then balances each song to a consistent level between the other songs on the playlist. I've found this method effective even on commercially compressed, peaked and limited songs, using slight compression to bring up the overall levels and normalizing down gives me a clear, consistent output without artifacts.
Last edited by Charlie Fogle; 02/28/16 04:06 AM.
BIAB Ultra Pak+ 2024:RB 2024, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 287
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 287 |
I just tried this on a track I was finding troublesome to master in my DAW (Plugins were making it muddy).
This worked a treat! Thanks for the tip Charlie.
I sometimes forget the golden rule of mastering - light touch required at all times.
Cheers.
Mike.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,095
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,095 |
I'm glad it worked for you. Audacity is a very useful program.
BIAB Ultra Pak+ 2024:RB 2024, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,324
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,324 |
I never use any sort of a fade up at the beginnings to the songs. If it hits too hard, you should go back and fix it in the tracks, not there in the finalizing stages.
No matter how it starts, it should always sound like a normal start. You can hit hard and go from there.
What I would consider doing on a song that does hit the ground running.... rather than simply starting it cold..... insert a nice snare smack on "4" and it will work better and sound more natural.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,095
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,095 |
I never use any sort of a fade up at the beginnings to the songs. If it hits too hard, you should go back and fix it in the tracks, not there in the finalizing stages.
No matter how it starts, it should always sound like a normal start. You can hit hard and go from there.
What I would consider doing on a song that does hit the ground running.... rather than simply starting it cold..... insert a nice snare smack on "4" and it will work better and sound more natural. I agree with you 100% in the context that if something is 'wrong' with the mix, the final mix stage or mastering stage is not the place to 'fix' it. Go back to tracking and fix it there. That is not what I'm addressing. I'm talking about a mix where there is nothing 'wrong'. I'm polishing a song so the dynamics are how I want the song to sound. The fade in is a tweak to soften the intro. In Audacity, the length of the area selection effects how much or how little the track is changed. I work on the selected area's length until I do not hear a fade in of the beginning of the song but the harshness of the abrupt start is diminished to my satisfaction. You have to A/B between the effect and no effect to have a perception of it even being used. Very much like a slight EQ tweak or small compression change. It is an adjustment based on what you hear, not what the waveform looks like. It will still sound like a normal start. It is still abrupt and loud. Just the harshness is removed. It is a minor volume adjustment and volume adjustments and edits are part of the overall mastering process in my workflow. Besides, you may be working on a mix for an artist that doesn't want a snare smack on "4" -
Last edited by Charlie Fogle; 04/13/16 03:01 AM.
BIAB Ultra Pak+ 2024:RB 2024, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 671
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 671 |
Various ways to do this. After exporting to MP3, I use Wavelab to normalize all volumes to -4 dB (Any DAW will do this). Then I play the normalized files through the PA, making notes on which songs have to come up a dB or two, or down. I revisit those songs and get a more-or-less balanced set of volumes. Nothing worse than having a song jump out at you 6 dB too loud!  Regards, Bob Any reason you export all files to .mp3 before you normalize? I usually normalize .wav file and name it song name(s)_normalized.wav Then create an .mp3.
"When you help somebody else you are really helping yourself"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 671
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 671 |
[\quote]
I use specific tools for specific jobs. So as far as WavePad is concerned..... here's what I use it to do:
1. To view the overall wave. I can see if the song is compressed and to what level.
2. To trim the starting count in and the dead air at the end.
3. To normalize the file if it's low.
4. To convert to MP3.
I do not use WavePad to add effects or compression to the file. Since I don't use FX in WavePad nor do I use the FX in Real Band or on realtracks, I really can't answer that question about how they compare. All my FX go in at the DAW level in Sonar.
I think I do have a few of their other products on some of my computers, but I don't use them so again, I can't comment on them.
Like so much of the software I use to do what I do, I use it all in very specific ways and limited ways and in many cases don't even touch the vast majority of it's capabilities. BB is a prime example. I use it to compose and write. I rarely ever use the ACW or so many of it's other features. I enter the chords, select a style and proceed to write the song. It's essentially my scratch pad replacing the old pan and paper I used to use.
This is also true of the NCH software. I don't use a function just because it's there. I use it only if I need it.
Hope that helps and answered your questions.
Nice explanation and workflow Herb
Last edited by dga; 04/14/16 11:17 AM.
"When you help somebody else you are really helping yourself"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 671
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 671 |
Hope this info is useful and educational to you.
Sure was Herb Thanks
"When you help somebody else you are really helping yourself"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 671
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 671 |
You can't do everything in BIAB, but if you have stereo Wave files or MP3's you can do a lot in Audacity. Download and Install the latest version of Audacity from here http://www.audacityteam.org/download/There are almost 50 effects that will install with this version. What ever common effect you would use in any other DAW is in there. There is a simple AMPLIFY effect (by Audacity) which will change the volume of a stereo mix. Add any amount of DBs or subtract any amount. Save the project, export as .wav or .mpg. Its the simplest way to lower or raise the volume of a recording, and it does not do anything else. If you want check out the other effects all have common names. To display them easily under the effects menu, GO TO Edit Preferences> select Effects from the menu on the left. Use the drop down arrow on the right center and GROUP BY PUBLISHER. This makes the Effects Menu more compact.
Last edited by dga; 04/18/16 05:20 PM.
"When you help somebody else you are really helping yourself"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums66
Topics81,587
Posts734,741
Members38,500
| |
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean