Subject:Volume Levels..

Posted by: martingz

Date:2/1/2002 12:39:51 PM

This is a newbe question I'm sure. I'm am not using the latest version of Acid 3.0 but the one just before that. I seem to have trouble getting the proper levels set for all the tracks. I'll start with the master volume at mid range and bring up one track till I just see a few bounces in the red (level wise). As I bring up more tracks to where I can hear them the way I want, I'm soon blasting into the red. Now should I back off the master volume or start backing down each track..

This is probably a stupid question, but does someone have a good general rule of thumb for getting the volume mix right...?

Subject:RE: Volume Levels..

Reply by: Chienworks

Date:2/1/2002 9:54:31 PM

This isn't terribly scientific, but what i usually do is multiply the number of tracks by 1.5, and then back each track volume control off by that number of decibels. So, if you have 12 tracks, set each track slider to -18dB as a starting point. The problem you're seeing is that as you add more tracks, they volume levels of each add together cumulatively. By starting the tracks lower, you can avoid the distortion that would otherwise occur. After you get this initial setting, set the master volume at 0.0 and then adjust the individual tracks as necessary for proper balance. If you're still getting a lot of bouncing into the red with the master at 0.0, lowering the master won't avoid distortion; you'll have to lower the tracks some more. Remember that you can lower loud tracks just as easily as boosting quieter ones.

Subject:RE: Volume Levels..

Reply by: martingz

Date:2/3/2002 4:26:25 PM

Thanks for the great reply. I'll give it a try..

Subject:RE: Volume Levels..

Reply by: martingz

Date:2/4/2002 11:29:23 AM

Another question on this (if you're still out there).
Is there a way in Acid 2.0 to tag multiple tracks and adjust their volume at the same time?

Subject:RE: Volume Levels..

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:2/4/2002 12:48:34 PM

Try selecting each track by holding down CTRL+click on each track's track icon in the track list and adjust volume.

HTH,
Iacobus

Subject:RE: Volume Levels..

Reply by: vanblah

Date:2/4/2002 6:54:46 PM

to select all of the tracks press ctrl+A
-or-
Edit>Select All

Subject:RE: Volume Levels..

Reply by: martingz

Date:2/6/2002 4:52:07 PM

Thanks much guys!

Subject:RE: Volume Levels..

Reply by: PuffDogg

Date:2/8/2002 2:04:56 PM

Another great method of controling volume on particular tracks is creating additional busses. Say you have a bunch of guitar tracks, you can create an additional bus and then route all the guitar tracks through that bus. This way you can control the volume for all the tracks with one fader (and still mix them individually) as well as add effects, solo or mute all the guitar tracks with one fader. It's really much easier than keeping track of all your tracks.