Track has a low volume

[JesseDraak]

Hello,

Everytime I export a track in ableton the volume compared to others songs is low. According to the meters it should be at -0.1dB (After the effects on the master). I could turn up the limiter but that would distort the sound.

Is there someone who has some tips?

Jesse Draak

[qa2pir]

try mixing into the limiter so the song is designed for loudness from start

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Just off the top of my head:

1. There's probably something wrong with your mix.
2. Look at clipping instead of limiting.
3. Look at getting a better limiter (some, like Elephant, include multiple modes - one of which is usually for clipping).

This is something we've all dealt with at some point. Hang out here and other forums, and try and pick up some pointers when/where you can on mixing, monitoring environments, self-mastering, the ills of self-mastering, etc. It'll be a slow, but rewarding process.

[No_Use]

Hello,

Everytime I export a track in ableton the volume compared to others songs is low.

Compared to which songs ?
Songs from commercial CD's ?
That's natural, don't forget that songs from commercial CD's have been professionally mixed AND mastered.

[geroyannis]

I could turn up the limiter but that would distort the sound.

I'm not sure I understand your question. Yes, if you want your mix to be loud you have to turn up the limiter, and yes, inevitably that will introduce some distortion to the sound. You will have to make a choice on balancing distortion and wanted volume level.

[thecontrolcentre]

Everytime I export a track in ableton the volume compared to others songs is low. According to the meters it should be at -0.1dB

So what is it at?

[JesseDraak]

Thanks for the great reactions. An official remix of me is going to get mixed and masterd professionally. But in my opinion it's good to know more about it.

I used both the Kratos Maximizer and the Fabfilter limiter. I'll just have to learn my way through it.

Again, thanks for the reply's