Apple Logic Pro /LogicExpress Discussion

On Sat, 24 Dec 2005 19:28:51 -0800, Chris Ryan wrote
> I've always been frustrated by low output volumes in Logic (I'm 
> using Logic Pro 7), and have never been able to find how to give my 
> tracks 
> (e.g. mp3 exports) a higher overall level. It seems they are quite 
> quiet compared to other mp3s (commercial, etc.). Am I missing 
> something obvious?

Maybe not obvious, but what you're missing is that professional productions
are put through one or more limiters to maximize the "percepted volume" during
mastering. One could argue whether this is really a good thing, but your music
will at least sound a lot softer than the rest if you don't.

Watch the levels of your mix and those of a commercial one, and you'll see
that even though both peak at 0dB, the mastered commercial product stays much
higher in level on average. This is why it sounds louder.

Maurits.