FL Studio / Ableton Test (Help Request - For experienced users)

[mschenkel]

Probably your issue is that fl has per part volume, that knob in the sequencer window at the left of the part label, that should be turned fully clockwise by default but it is not so you start a few dB back on every single thing you throw at it.

[MogwaiBoy]

They both sound awful

Why not just put the same wav file in both DAWs and export, then null test. That wll give you the "sound engine" result. Everything else is surely just preferential differences in workflow, stock plugins and how they influence your decisions.

[Unaspected]

Absolutely. Null render is the easiest objective test I can think of.

Not dissimilar to this thread: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=545307

That's an interesting post btw. I feel the same about it as the user does. Really odd.

Going to take a break from FL, see over a stretch of time, a couple of months or so between FL and another DAW if there is always a good amount of different with my results.

Yeah, as Passing Bye suggests, you'll get best results using gear you are most comfortable with and that's purely down to your own taste and working methods.

Probably your issue is that fl has per part volume, that knob in the sequencer window at the left of the part label, that should be turned fully clockwise by default but it is not so you start a few dB back on every single thing you throw at it.

This both is and isn't true. It is true that FL Studio's generator gain is default marked at -5.2 dB but this is actually unity or -0 dB. Otherwise, loading in audio and bouncing out without adjusting levels would incrementally reduce the output - and repeating the procedure would eventually result in silence. Which isn't the case.

I tested that when I performed the null render as it always bothered me. Now it bothers me even more. Hehe.

My favoured method to get levels right is to use a third party plugin such as Voxengo SPAN, Youlean Loudness Meter or Klanghelm VUMT.

[MogwaiBoy]

I would export the same file (eg a 24-bit pre-master of a song) from both DAWs and if the volume is different, use iZotope RX to match them to within +/- 0.001 LUFS. Offline process and extremely accurate. Also very accurate waveform comparison with extreme zoom magnification. Let's do this scientifically.

Send me files and I'll do it.

I would do it but I only have and use FL Studio.

[Distorted Horizon]

Didn't check the video, but going to comment my experience.

No matter what daw I use, I always have Satson as the first plugin in the chain. I use it to level the audio, then I export the stems and mix/finalize in Reaper.

End result is always the same and I couldn't tell, if the track is done in Bws, Fls, Live, Reason or possibly in Reaper..

[Dan_CF]

You are not alone, there's pro's I know that are having the same deal, even my partner noticed that stuff I do and mix in Bitwig sounds "better" and different, it took lot off convincing that it's just me having a blast in that DAW all along and not some magic Bitwig sound, I don't even use Bitwig stock stuff, but there's something about workflow that just let me use my ears and brain, get me straight to the point.

Exact same thing.... it's a noticeable sonic difference (results wise). Even in ableton....

Both ableton and bitwig I get similar results, and inferior results in FL. I'm really not trying to hint at something here but either I have a workflow issues or I dunno.. maybe the DAW does have a sound

Good to see I'm not alone. Curious if others are experiencing the same.

[Unaspected]

You are not alone, there's pro's I know that are having the same deal, even my partner noticed that stuff I do and mix in Bitwig sounds "better" and different, it took lot off convincing that it's just me having a blast in that DAW all along and not some magic Bitwig sound, I don't even use Bitwig stock stuff, but there's something about workflow that just let me use my ears and brain, get me straight to the point.

Exact same thing.... it's a noticeable sonic difference (results wise). Even in ableton....

Both ableton and bitwig I get similar results, and inferior results in FL. I'm really not trying to hint at something here but either I have a workflow issues or I dunno.. maybe the DAW does have a sound

Good to see I'm not alone. Curious if others are experiencing the same.

Well. No. You can objectively prove a DAW does not impart a certain quality with a null render.

If you aren't familiar with the process, one method might be:

1) Take any lossless audio file and import it into your DAW - with DAW sample rate matching that of the audio rather than resampling the audio to that of the DAW.
2) Ensure that the audio passes to the master buss without any adjustments - no clipping - and export the audio as a lossless file with settings identical to that of the original file.
3) Import the newly rendered copy.
4) With each occupying their own mixer channel and perfectly aligned (sample by sample) in the playlist, invert the phase of one.
5) Observe total cancellation.

This will prove that your DAW does not impart additional character on exported audio. Only DAW that you shouldn't expect to null render (that I am aware of) is Harrison Mixbus, as the mixer is analogue modelled.

I hope this helps your understanding so that you can afford more control and less uncertainty.

[Passing Bye]

You are not alone, there's pro's I know that are having the same deal, even my partner noticed that stuff I do and mix in Bitwig sounds "better" and different, it took lot off convincing that it's just me having a blast in that DAW all along and not some magic Bitwig sound, I don't even use Bitwig stock stuff, but there's something about workflow that just let me use my ears and brain, get me straight to the point.

Exact same thing.... it's a noticeable sonic difference (results wise). Even in ableton....

Both ableton and bitwig I get similar results, and inferior results in FL. I'm really not trying to hint at something here but either I have a workflow issues or I dunno.. maybe the DAW does have a sound

Good to see I'm not alone. Curious if others are experiencing the same.

I'm completely sure it's me and the way I work in given environment, in Bitwig it's so quick to load a plugin from pop up browser, I can have exact plugin or preset in mater of seconds, save chain of plugins, it's easy to do multi band stuff, it's quick to do parallel processing, sidechaining, layering and so on, I get straight to the point immediately, never lose myself tinkering with program, experiment much more, so that dictates my outcome.