mixing down to cd

Bowmanator2000 · Post by **Bowmanator2000** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 7:14 pm

Ok, been at the recording stuff for a while now, but I still have boatloads of trouble taking my mixdowns, exporting them as a stereo wave file to be put on a CD, and being at healthy level of Db without it clipping extensively its either waaaay to quiet or distoring like heavy metal. Ive tried bussing it when recording to boost up Db, it will end up clipping, ive tried every which way of proper gain staging, still clips. Any ideas?
Do I need something like peak pro, or some mastering program? Im lost and haven't gotten as far as intensive mixing and mastering. Anything will help, I have an 896hd with sonar 5 for you sonar users

chrispick · Post by **chrispick** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 7:31 pm

If I understand you correctly, you need to implement some sort of mastering hardware or software, particularly a mastering limiter. Software's the least expensive place to start. Check out iZotope Ozone, IK T-Racks or WaveArts FinalPlug. There are other options, but that will get you started down the path.

Peak Pro is for Mac OSX.

Sonar huh? Interesting.

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 7:57 pm

You do realize this is a Macintosh-oriented MOTU-Digital Performer board, right? Not a lot of Sonar users except maybe in the hardware forum.

Bowmanator2000 · Post by **Bowmanator2000** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 4:34 am

I completely understand what this board is, the title for the board is general recording, its a general question, thought maybe soemone here might have had an idea

David Polich · Post by **David Polich** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 11:42 am

Well Chrispick gave you the answer. yes, you need a mastering program to make your stuff louder and give it that polished sheen.

The popular Mac-based mastering programs are:

BIAS Peak
DSP Quattro
Ozone3 (only runs as a plug-in, not standalone)
T-Racks

PC:

Wavelab
Sound Forge

msmith92 · Post by **msmith92** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:04 am

so should one convert sample rate in dp or in peak pro if given the option. which would be best?

HCMarkus · Post by **HCMarkus** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:08 pm

msmith92 wrote:so should one convert sample rate in dp or in peak pro if given the option. which would be best?

Flippant Response: Whichever sounds better to you.

MOTU talked a lot about the quality of its sample rate conversion back when it was a big deal in DP. You can easily perform this test with DP and Peak: Convert rate, re-convert to original rate, invert phase of and mix at equal level with the original. Anything you hear is distortion.

I would suggest, however, the best method is to record your CD-destined tracks at 44.1k, 'cause they're gonna' end up at that rate anyway. Braodcast/DVD record at 48k.

msmith92 · Post by **msmith92** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:32 am

normally i do record at 44.1. for some reason this project was started at 48 and we've stuck with it. the mastering house i'm sending it to asked for 48 so i guess it'll work out.

i'll try that test though. good information. thanks.

HCMarkus · Post by **HCMarkus** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:31 pm

The mastering house may use a stage or two of analog processing, in which case the re-conversion back to digital will likely be at 44.1k.

jockeybox · Post by **jockeybox** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:07 pm

Pick up a used BBE Sonic Maximizer (external hardware) on eBay for about $75 and route your mix through it (and back into an unused input). Put all 4 of the control knobs on about 6-7 and there you go! I use one on all our rehearsal demo's (when I don't have time to run through the mastering process) and it makes an incredible difference. Really is as advertised and cheaper and easier than any mastering software IMO.