The Logic Off Topic list

> ** Original Message follows... 

>    From: "Save the Universe" <mail@...>
> Subject:  Obtaining a Balance Between the Noisy and the Normal
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I'm putting the finishing touches on my new CD and am facing a problem.  I
> know there are some pro's here, so hopefully you folks can offer a few
> suggestions.
> 
> As i am mastering my new CD, 

I don't want to tell you not to master your own CD, but the main thing a pro mastering engineer will bring to the project is objectivity.

>i am having considerable difficulty getting an
> overall level balance between the songs.  Some of the songs rely heavily on
> distortion, while others are mellower and smoother.  Even though the songs
> have the same mathematical volume, to my ears the noisy/vile ones seem far
> louder.

That's your amswer right there! The only way to do it is to use your ears. Having a VU meter helps as well - check out PSP's free one. Also, you need a meter that will give you a peak-to-average readout. Elemental Audio's free "Inspector" comes to mind. You should aim for around -12dB Pk-to-Avg

> I know i could just decrease the final volume of the noisy songs to even
> things up, but this throws off the level of the drums between songs.  I want
> to maintain a consistent rhythm section from start to finish.  The mellow
> songs still contain heavy percussion elements that must match the noisy
> ones.  They only seem quieter because they lack the aggressive distortion.

Sorry, you can't do it by trying to match just the rhythm section - you need to listen to the songs as a whole.
 
> I'm running LogicPro 6.4.2, OSX 10.2.6, and am primarily using PSP Vintage
> Warmer in the final stages.

BTW - I strongly recommend that you upgrade to Panther - 10.3.5. 

Mars

On 9/1/04 2:21 PM, "logic-ot@yahoogroups.com" <logic-ot@yahoogroups.com>
wrote:

> Original Message:
>  Date: 31 Aug 2004 23:24:06 -0400
>  From: mars@...
> Subject: re: Obtaining a Balance Between the Noisy and the Normal
> 
>> ** Original Message follows...
> 
>>    From: "Save the Universe" <mail@...>
>> Subject:  Obtaining a Balance Between the Noisy and the Normal
>> 
>> 
>> As i am mastering my new CD,
> 
> I don't want to tell you not to master your own CD, but the main thing a pro
> mastering engineer will bring to the project is objectivity.
> 
>> i am having considerable difficulty getting an
>> overall level balance between the songs.  Some of the songs rely heavily on
>> distortion, while others are mellower and smoother.  Even though the songs
>> have the same mathematical volume, to my ears the noisy/vile ones seem far
>> louder.
> 
> That's your amswer right there! The only way to do it is to use your ears.
> Having a VU meter helps as well - check out PSP's free one. Also, you need a
> meter that will give you a peak-to-average readout. Elemental Audio's free
> "Inspector" comes to mind. You should aim for around -12dB Pk-to-Avg
> 
>> I know i could just decrease the final volume of the noisy songs to even
>> things up, but this throws off the level of the drums between songs.  I want
>> to maintain a consistent rhythm section from start to finish.  The mellow
>> songs still contain heavy percussion elements that must match the noisy
>> ones.  They only seem quieter because they lack the aggressive distortion.
> 
> Sorry, you can't do it by trying to match just the rhythm section - you need
> to listen to the songs as a whole.

You should also invest in a multiband compressor.  I don't think anyone can
master properly without one.  A TC Finalizer is the most expensive, the
Behringer DSP 9024 works just fine for a LOT less $$.  Both also have
"other" FX that are very useful to maximizing your final stereo mix.
Haven't seen a VST one, but that doesn't mean there isn't one by now...

Best regards,
...z


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