question about resolution and levels

[loopdloop]

I have a project that's mixed well, but the levels on all my tracks are quite low. Is it worth it (will I regain lost resolution) to remix things up to near-peak, or is this compensated for in the background if I normalize on the final rendering (ie, are all these levels really only relative to each other)?

thanks

[Mr. Tingle]

just add a volume filter on the master out and increase by another 6db, add another if required until you have a healthy level.

[loopdloop]

Thanks - so the levels are relative, and no resolution is lost in level cuts through the track vol/pan filters as long as the master out is back up to peak?

[rpc9943]

try turning your speakers up bro

then get yourself a nice simple limiter plug, i suggest something like tlc_maximizer, or the old buz plugs has some nice limiters in there.

RonC

[loopdloop]

I'm mastering this track for a CD, Ron... I don't want to add a sticker that says "Turn it up, MAAAN!!".

And I can get the level up, it's the resolution I'm concerned with. The way I understand it, if you send a weak signal through tlc_maximizer, it's not going to come out with the same resolution a loud signal would have even if the final signals are the same level - just as would occur with an analog signal through an analog limiter. I'm asking if Trackion would know to compenstate for this, since (I'm assuming) the levels are only virtual before the output.

[Mr. Tingle]

You need to get the highest level on the master out without the signal clipping, this will have the maximum signal to noise ratio once rendered.

[naturestoned]

you also can mark all volume/pan meters simultanously with pressed shift-key. If you keep the shift-key pressed all faders will move while keeping their relative position...

[freeztar]

loopdloop:
If you add Mr. Tingle's two posts together then you will have your answer and solution. This is not a Tracktion issue, but a processing issue. I prefer to work in 24 bit for this reason (albeit T1 is 32 bit float).
Higher bit depths give you better resolution for headroom.

[freeztar]

oh yes, and don't bother with the normalization.

[freeztar]

you also can mark all volume/pan meters simultanously with pressed shift-key. If you keep the shift-key pressed all faders will move while keeping their relative position...

And thank you for pointing that out naturestoned!!
I have never used that, but I see it being used quite a bit in the future.

[IIRs]

Tracktion's mixing engine uses 32 or 64 bit resolution, which is lots boosting all your track levels by 6dB is exactly the same as turning up the master by 6dB, and exactly the same as boosting the levels by 6dB using a master limiter, unless that raises the peaks enough to trigger gain reduction.

[freeztar]

Tracktion's mixing engine uses 32 or 64 bit resolution, which is lots boosting all your track levels by 6dB is exactly the same as turning up the master by 6dB, and exactly the same as boosting the levels by 6dB using a master limiter, unless that raises the peaks enough to trigger gain reduction.

Indeed!
Volume is volume...your particular method depends on your workflow and the track.
I have T1 unfortunately so I'm constricted to 32 bit.

[snareSpanker]

oh yes, and don't bother with the normalization.

Why not? Wouldn't that do the same as raising the master level until just before something clips?