I probably should have asked this ages ago, but what are first (and second) things I should do to optimize the performance of all of my gear, specifically the computer, in order to hear everything as it is meant to be heard, without any modification? When I render a file in FL Studio, or Reason, or Cubase, I want to be able to play those rendered files, and hear them exactly as they are meant. I'm still very new to all of this, so please forgive and correct me if I say something stupid or completely false.
Hear is what I've done so far, and hopefully you can see where I am going with this:
1. Update sound card driver.
2. Disable treble, mids, and bass enhancements on all devices, such as speakers, and Winamp / Foobar equalizer.
3. Download latest LAME Encoder for proper MP3 renders.
4. Disable Replay Gain in Foobar, and anything else that might modify the song files sound, be it volume, reverb, EQ, etc.
5. Download latest ASIO driver for FL Studio.
6. Sound Proof room as much as possible to keep unwanted sounds out of microphone recordings.
I know this sounds horrible novice, but perhaps I am a horrible novice?
What are some other tips to make sure that what I am hearing and playing is exactly (-/+) what other people will hear when they play, assuming they don't have the car's bass maxed out, or are using some crazy EQ in their favorite media player? I don't want to think I've mixed and equalized a song properly, and find out later that I didn't because what I thought were actual representations of volume, bass, and sample rate were not, because I forgot to turn of something stupid like "Surround Sound Emulation" on my Realtek soundcard?
Some Qs:
Would Making Foobar run ASIO help? Does disabling something like Replay Gain in Foobar actually do anything relevant?
As always, thank you in advance!
Preparing Your Computer For Recording, Mixing, And Playback
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- KVRer
- 24 posts since 16 Aug, 2013 from Centreville, VA
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thecontrolcentre thecontrolcentre https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=76240 - KVRAF
- 37262 posts since 27 Jul, 2005 from Scottish Borders
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 24 posts since 16 Aug, 2013 from Centreville, VA
This much I know, my friend. But at this point in my life, all my income and savings go toward feedings myself and paying bills. Until I get a promotion or better jobs, I'm forced to make do with what I have...and that is my p.o.s Realtek Soundcard on my Aver Aspire...Yes, laugh.thecontrolcentre wrote:I would say a decent audio interface and monitors are essential. Realtek stuff is awful.
However I have an excellent pair of Sennheiser Headphones, and a more than satisfying Denon Stereo System. That right there is about $1,000. Unfortunately I bought those years ago when I had the money, and I just listened to music instead of making music.
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- KVRAF
- 3071 posts since 29 Sep, 2005
I seriously doubt TCC is laughing at you or that anyone else here will. Most of us did not start out with systems grandiose and for that matter most still do not have the "best" of equipment.
We make do with what we have and do what we enjoy - make music.
I feel what you ask is an impossible question to answer because when played back on other systems it is very doubtful those systems will be "pure". Most people WILL have some form of sound enhancement on their system, thus ruining your quest for "hear them exactly as they are meant".
IMO best you are going to get is hear them as they sound - on the system used.
Unlike many of the pros here at KVR I am unable to offer you advice beyond that which you and TCC have stated. From how and what you write it seems you have a very good handle on this subject. I am confident some of the pros here will be able to assist you better though.
Only other thoughts I have are - just do what you seem to enjoy - making music. Let it sound how it sounds. Your enjoyment, and the enjoyment of your listeners, is what really matters.
My words are not meant to down play what you are after - only to enhance the enjoyment factor.
Happy Musiking!
dsan
We make do with what we have and do what we enjoy - make music.
I feel what you ask is an impossible question to answer because when played back on other systems it is very doubtful those systems will be "pure". Most people WILL have some form of sound enhancement on their system, thus ruining your quest for "hear them exactly as they are meant".
IMO best you are going to get is hear them as they sound - on the system used.
Unlike many of the pros here at KVR I am unable to offer you advice beyond that which you and TCC have stated. From how and what you write it seems you have a very good handle on this subject. I am confident some of the pros here will be able to assist you better though.
Only other thoughts I have are - just do what you seem to enjoy - making music. Let it sound how it sounds. Your enjoyment, and the enjoyment of your listeners, is what really matters.
My words are not meant to down play what you are after - only to enhance the enjoyment factor.
Happy Musiking!
dsan
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 24 posts since 16 Aug, 2013 from Centreville, VA
Hmm. I should have known it was like this. It seems like it is just like photography. You can do all the editing you want, but if you photo has a color profile that most people can't display, it will look totally different. Even if you had a more universal color profile, the photo will look different on everyones screen, considering every monitor is different.
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thecontrolcentre thecontrolcentre https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=76240
- KVRAF
- 37262 posts since 27 Jul, 2005 from Scottish Borders
Making music is a money pit unless you earn a living at it. There are cheap ASIO soundcards that will help your situation. Behringer do one for about £25 for example. Monitoring on your hifi (if it is a proper hifi) will be ok til you can afford monitors. I hope your financial situation improves soon. Good luck with your music.
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- KVRAF
- 3321 posts since 2 Jul, 2007
This is what I have had to do:
Become an expert scrounger. You never know what you'll find in pawn shops and used music gear shops.
Learn to recognize quality, don't accept second best - but at the same time be realistic.
DIY. Learn to fix things up. (Acquaintance of mine found an ADAT in a Goodwill for $29, he fixed it up and sold it for $900. Guess some people still use ADATs.)
Become an expert scrounger. You never know what you'll find in pawn shops and used music gear shops.
Learn to recognize quality, don't accept second best - but at the same time be realistic.
DIY. Learn to fix things up. (Acquaintance of mine found an ADAT in a Goodwill for $29, he fixed it up and sold it for $900. Guess some people still use ADATs.)
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- KVRist
- 425 posts since 9 Nov, 2012 from Colorado, USA
"When I render a file in FL Studio, or Reason, or Cubase, I want to be able to play those rendered files..."
So you have FL Studio, Reason and Cubase and no sound interface????
That's odd.
As others have posted don't worry so much about getting the audio perfect. Getting something is the important part.
musicians used to record on cassettes using 3-4 decks to make their music. anything is possible.
depending on the types of music you are working on or producing there are directions you can go for hardware and plugins and mastering applications. don't worry about all that.
a DAW, a decent microphone and playing and recording are the 1st things to work on. master your craft then you can worry about all the tech stuff.
Do you have a keyboard controller?
you didn't list what you have, what your trying to do so it's hard to give you much advice or directions - and even then, it's really all about you, how you work and what you want to do.
pay $15/mo and get a Groove3.com and go through their tutorials to learn more about the hows/software.
there are people creating music using JUST their onboard soundcards (Chip Music). if you have the motivation, some talent and time you can do it.
So you have FL Studio, Reason and Cubase and no sound interface????
That's odd.
As others have posted don't worry so much about getting the audio perfect. Getting something is the important part.
musicians used to record on cassettes using 3-4 decks to make their music. anything is possible.
depending on the types of music you are working on or producing there are directions you can go for hardware and plugins and mastering applications. don't worry about all that.
a DAW, a decent microphone and playing and recording are the 1st things to work on. master your craft then you can worry about all the tech stuff.
Do you have a keyboard controller?
you didn't list what you have, what your trying to do so it's hard to give you much advice or directions - and even then, it's really all about you, how you work and what you want to do.
pay $15/mo and get a Groove3.com and go through their tutorials to learn more about the hows/software.
there are people creating music using JUST their onboard soundcards (Chip Music). if you have the motivation, some talent and time you can do it.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 24 posts since 16 Aug, 2013 from Centreville, VA
Alright here is what I have:
1. Acer Aspire with stock Realtek Soundcard
2. FL Studio as main DAW (Tinkering with Reason and Ableton)
3. Loads of Free and Commercial Soft Synths and Effects
4. A Yamaha PSR-280 keyboard for MIDI (Unfortunately sold my MicroKorg)
5. M-Audio MIDISport 4x4
6. M-Audio Vocal Pro USB Microphone
7. Yamaha F-335 Acoustic Guitar
8. Epiphone Les Paul 100 Electric Guitar
9. A Cordoba Guilele CE
10. I used to have an Elesis Drum Machine (also sold)
11. Two Denon SC-M52 Speakers and a Denon RCD-M33 Stereo Receiver
12. A Pair of Sennheiser HD238 Headphones
1. Acer Aspire with stock Realtek Soundcard
2. FL Studio as main DAW (Tinkering with Reason and Ableton)
3. Loads of Free and Commercial Soft Synths and Effects
4. A Yamaha PSR-280 keyboard for MIDI (Unfortunately sold my MicroKorg)
5. M-Audio MIDISport 4x4
6. M-Audio Vocal Pro USB Microphone
7. Yamaha F-335 Acoustic Guitar
8. Epiphone Les Paul 100 Electric Guitar
9. A Cordoba Guilele CE
10. I used to have an Elesis Drum Machine (also sold)
11. Two Denon SC-M52 Speakers and a Denon RCD-M33 Stereo Receiver
12. A Pair of Sennheiser HD238 Headphones
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- KVRAF
- 3071 posts since 29 Sep, 2005
So, TFHT2013, I am really confused what you are after here.
I just took a listen to your tracks at soundcloud, and while I am not a fan of the genre,the recording, arrangements, fx, etc, etc are spot on, imo. So this should infer your system is already optimised.
Is it a matter of thinking you need something better than what you have (after all, you list some pretty nice gear), or, that age old quest for the "there must be something I'm missing - I need to get to the next level - etc., etc., or is it a quest for some ego stroking?
For reference I listened through a set of Sony MDR-7506 cans, Shure SRH840 cans and JBL Studio monitors 4206's, all piped through Edirol FA-101 sound module into Samson C-control into Samson Servo-150 amp.
Bottom line; I have no idea if what I heard is what you intended. But I heard what I heard; record quality sound. (Now, if I could get you to produce a likable genre Just kidding!
It is just MHO but I think you are already where you are wanting to be, you just need to recognize your location.
Or maybe we all misunderstand what you seek. One thing you HAVE to do at KRV is ask the right questions. Too much lost in this form of communication and you cannot leave the reader to guess.
I'd say continue on with what you have going. It's already working as far as I can tell. But then, as I said previously - I'm not the pro.
Best regards.
Happy Musiking!
dsan
I just took a listen to your tracks at soundcloud, and while I am not a fan of the genre,the recording, arrangements, fx, etc, etc are spot on, imo. So this should infer your system is already optimised.
Is it a matter of thinking you need something better than what you have (after all, you list some pretty nice gear), or, that age old quest for the "there must be something I'm missing - I need to get to the next level - etc., etc., or is it a quest for some ego stroking?
For reference I listened through a set of Sony MDR-7506 cans, Shure SRH840 cans and JBL Studio monitors 4206's, all piped through Edirol FA-101 sound module into Samson C-control into Samson Servo-150 amp.
Bottom line; I have no idea if what I heard is what you intended. But I heard what I heard; record quality sound. (Now, if I could get you to produce a likable genre
Just kidding!It is just MHO but I think you are already where you are wanting to be, you just need to recognize your location.
Or maybe we all misunderstand what you seek. One thing you HAVE to do at KRV is ask the right questions. Too much lost in this form of communication and you cannot leave the reader to guess.
I'd say continue on with what you have going. It's already working as far as I can tell. But then, as I said previously - I'm not the pro.
Best regards.
Happy Musiking!
dsan
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- KVRist
- 425 posts since 9 Nov, 2012 from Colorado, USA
yeah like sdan I am confused now as well.
you have decent gear, your soundcloud tracks are decent.
not sure what you are asking.
you have decent gear, your soundcloud tracks are decent.
not sure what you are asking.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 24 posts since 16 Aug, 2013 from Centreville, VA
Well, sh**, thank you guys for listening, and I'm glad you think I'm doing something right!
It's just that, ya know, I'm back in the game after long hiatus, the technology has changed, I have much more material and inspiration now than ever before...I guess I just really want to get it right this time. I feel like I need refreshers. And I'll be damned if I screw something up from something miniscule like if I walked around wearing a new shirt forgetting the tags are still on, or taking a huge road trip only to find I left my gas cap open.
I guess I'm just trying to create a "pre-flight checklist" for fine tuning and mistake avoidance. I don't know. Now, I'm confused.
It's just that, ya know, I'm back in the game after long hiatus, the technology has changed, I have much more material and inspiration now than ever before...I guess I just really want to get it right this time. I feel like I need refreshers. And I'll be damned if I screw something up from something miniscule like if I walked around wearing a new shirt forgetting the tags are still on, or taking a huge road trip only to find I left my gas cap open.
I guess I'm just trying to create a "pre-flight checklist" for fine tuning and mistake avoidance. I don't know. Now, I'm confused.
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- KVRAF
- 26033 posts since 20 Oct, 2007 from gonesville
Well, you're concerned that what you hear and mix isn't going to be true universally. people traditionally use as many different speaker types and even situations as they can to arrive at the 'averaged' mix that's going to be true for as many situations as can be obtained. Mixing for car radio, you have that type speaker on hand.
I don't do that, I don't have the wherewithal. I have to gauge things from experience and failure, finding out something was too quiet for radio for instance. I know actual analog radio is going to compress the thing. If it was a big deal to me I would have more than one mix available, even.
a lot of people are going to ruin your cherished mix with speakers that help the bass and in addition they have boosted it in the amplifier. it's not unusual for the listener at home to have a terrible proximity effect with their speaker location. I generally scoop a certain area in the bass which I find muddy in optimal conditions but I'm not going to do too much, if I was going to be that commercial I'd have someone else master it I guess.
I don't do that, I don't have the wherewithal. I have to gauge things from experience and failure, finding out something was too quiet for radio for instance. I know actual analog radio is going to compress the thing. If it was a big deal to me I would have more than one mix available, even.
a lot of people are going to ruin your cherished mix with speakers that help the bass and in addition they have boosted it in the amplifier. it's not unusual for the listener at home to have a terrible proximity effect with their speaker location. I generally scoop a certain area in the bass which I find muddy in optimal conditions but I'm not going to do too much, if I was going to be that commercial I'd have someone else master it I guess.