Level Problem- How to fix?

[koolkeys]

Well, I can't believe I let this happen. But I've been putting together a new track. I've put many, many hours of work into mixing what I have. But I ran into a problem that I've never had before. I started the mix too hot.

Now, I have the main volume slider down pretty far. But when I render, there is alot of clipping. I forgot to give myself enough head room to work on my track. Each instrument is alright, but when added together, everything becomes too loud. And every part I try to add has to be put louder.

This is a very dynamic piece, and I've tried limiters and compressors. They just take the life out of the music.

Is there a way of lowering the volume level equally on all tracks? Or is there a setting on Final Mix I can use effectively to just limit the highest peaks?

I really value the work I've done so far, and hope there is a better way. Should I just lower the volume level on the main volume?

Please help. Thanks.

Koolkeys

[valley]

yup, just lower the main volume till it stops clipping.

If you need more fine control, plonk a regular level control in the master fx block - set it too a setting that is just a little too hot when the master is at unity, and then use the master to make final downward tweaks.

[koolkeys]

Thanks valley for the response. I will probably just do that.

However, I run into a different problem. That is the problem of being too loud to add anything. Every part I add has to be played louder and louder to even be heard at all.

Maybe I should bounce down what I have so far, after I've lowered the master fader, and lower the volume on the rendered track? I will try it.

For curiosity's sake, is there anything out there that lets you lower volume on all tracks evenly? Say I wanted to only lower half my tracks, but keep the others up. I couldn't use the master fader to do this. What about that mixer for Tracktion over at TracktionFaction.com? Can you link faders on that? It would be kool if you could.

Anyway, thanks for the suggestion Valley. I will do that as it seems to be the only way right now.

Koolkeys

[valley]

how about sub grouping?

route all your perc tracks to a designated perc buss track.

route all your lead parts to a designated lead buss track.

etc.

On each of your new group tracks, set the level to -6dB.

Now you have the ability to lift of drop perc/lead/bass in one place. You've effectively lowered the entire level of the mix, and youc an easily extend this model.

[koolkeys]

Hmmm, that sounds like it may be the key. Sorry to be ignorant, as I should probably know this. But would each sub-group have to be on one midi channel, or can I route several channels to one track? I tried to re-route all the tracks to a seperate track, and there was no sound. I tried to see if I could lower the volume that way. But everything is on it's own channel. I hope this sub-grouping works, so whenever I notice something that needs changed, I don't have to re-render.

I'll try this tonight when I get home again. Thanks valley. I'm having a lazy day and it's hard to think straight.

Koolkeys

[P.T.]

You can also select all of the volume filters by shift/clicking on all of them and then using the volume slider in the lower panel you can lower all of them together.

Using this method it is best to first click on the vol filter that has the lowest setting.
If you need to raise them all then first click on the filter with the highest setting.

The reason is that the bottom window will show the first one that you clicked on. If you first click on a filter that isn't the lowest one there is a possibility that as you lower the volume the lower volume filter could bottom out at zero and then as the rest of the volume filters are turned down the relative levels could change.

[valley]

Hmmm, that sounds like it may be the key. Sorry to be ignorant, as I should probably know this. But would each sub-group have to be on one midi channel, or can I route several channels to one track?

Let's say you have percussion spanning tracks 1-5. Insert a new track into the edit, and move it up so that it is track six -- physical placement obviously doesnt matter, but it'll probably help you keep track of what goes where.

Now for each of the first five tracks, change their destination from 'default audio device' to 'track 6'.

Now you can pull the level down on track 6 and cut all five of the tracks that feed into it linearly.

If you break your song into a few logical groups, percussion, bass, lead, vocals, etc, then in addition to fixing your initial problem you have a niec easy way to control the level of mix elements in a holistic kind of way.

[koolkeys]

Wow, now I have several methods of doing the same thing, based on how I want to organize it. Thanks guys, as I wasn't thinking this logically. And vally, I now fully understand what you meant. I was just thinking of it with different words.

Tell me, is there another host out there that can insert extra volume filters before or after and anywhere you want? Can you shift-click all the volumes you want to change to change them all the same? I don't think so. Yet another selling point for Tracktion! Thanks again guys! Have a wonderful day!

Koolkeys

[AD80]

Wow, now I have several methods of doing the same thing, based on how I want to organize it. Thanks guys, as I wasn't thinking this logically. And vally, I now fully understand what you meant. I was just thinking of it with different words.

Tell me, is there another host out there that can insert extra volume filters before or after and anywhere you want? Can you shift-click all the volumes you want to change to change them all the same? I don't think so. Yet another selling point for Tracktion! Thanks again guys! Have a wonderful day!

Koolkeys

Small tip, if you want to select all the volume filters in the whole song at the same time, click on one, then right click and choose "select all filters of this type". Then you can shift click on any of them and adjust all of them as a group. Its one of my favorite things about Tracktion becuase I usually mix stuff too loud.

That reminds me of a FR for Beno or Jules: A way to deselect a certain filter while keeping the others selected when selecting multiple filters.