Solo piano project: best way to set audio levels in the mixer

[jnewell1]

I am completing a simple project using DP 9: a solo piano work of mine, using Synthogy's Ivory I (American Concert Grand) sample library to create the MIDI track, then a Master track.

Any ideas as to how to most effectively set the audio levels: for the MIDI track, the Instrument track, the Master track? I want to get the best sound without clipping. I would attach an image of the screen, but it is beyond me as to how to do that. It is not online at an http: address

Thanks,
John Newell

[Tidwells@aol.com]

Here is my 2 cents, John:
Because of DP's internal 64-bit processing, the only level that really matters in your project is the master track level for output. Feel free to use some volume automation on your piano instrument track (automate the audio volume, not the MIDI volume) for artistic purposes if you wish. I recommend putting DP's MasterWorks Limiter plug-in on your master fader track. If your final output will be exporting to MP3, set the limiter for a -1 ceiling. Otherwise, you might want a -.5 or even -.3 db ceiling. I alway set the limiter for a very fast attack and release. Then adjust the input levels of the limiter and/or the master fader level to get the desired amount of limiting. I usually go for about 4 or 5 db of limiting, which gives my mixes a healthy volume level compared to other music tracks. Click the reset button often on the MasterWorks limiter so you can see how much limiting it is doing. When you have it sounding right, select all of your tracks (including the master fader track) in the track window, adjust the selection area to omit any unwanted silence at the beginning and end, then go to export and select the options you want. Always listen back to your exported track to make sure it came out right!

Doug

[jnewell1]

Thank you very much, Doug. I will be exporting as a wav file. Would that make a difference? I like the reverb effects setting in the Ivory app (Lyrical Hall); would there be any advantage to using, say, Proverb in DP?

John

[Tidwells@aol.com]

Hey, John! With a .wav export, I would suggest a -.5 or -.3 ceiling on the limiter. Others may have different opinions. I think it was older CD players that sometimes distorted when playing back a "digital zero". As far as using Proverb, it's all a matter of taste. Think about the type/size of space you envision your "imaginary virtual piano" being recorded in, then try to find a reverb/ambience that sounds like that. But be careful NOT to use too much reverb because many playback enhancers (such as the "sound enhancer" effect in iTunes, which is set on "medium" by default on most macs) emphasize reverb and may make your mix sound "washed-out" with too much reverb. If you want it to sound natural, you want just enough reverb to help create an atmosphere, not enough to draw attention to itself. But of course, it's all a matter of taste... Oh, just remembered: If you do use ProVerb, you can roll off some of the bass and treble using the eq adjustments in Proverb for what I think some call the "Abbey Road" effect. Or was it named after another British studio? What I'm describing would only eq the reverb effect, not the dry piano sound itself. I like the way it sounds on vocals, but haven't really tried it on piano...

Doug

[jnewell1]

Again, many thanks Doug! Some very useful information that makes me appreciate even more the art/craft of of production.