Mixdown Help!!

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Lost for words with all to say.
Contributor Since: Sep 12, 2003

Greetings everyone

I just did tons of work on one of our songs that is going on my church's upcoming album. I go to mix it down to a wav file, and it doesn't sound anything like it did in Sonar. Is there a setting or something that I have looked over? You know, to make it mix down with all the volume envelopes, trim, etc. to work? The bass is really booming, the volume envelopes that were adjusted sound too noticable when they didn't at all in Sonar, the vocals are weak, it just all in general sounds weaker then it did in Sonar. Any help is appreciated.

Dale

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Dec 02, 2003 09:38 pm

Did you make sure you had the export automation and all checked before you exported it? You need to make sure these are selected or your automation and FX will not be on the final wave.

Lost for words with all to say.
Contributor
Since: Sep 12, 2003


Dec 04, 2003 07:04 am

Oh yeah, they were all selected. Has anybody else have this problem? It was recorded in 16 bit (CD quality) and exported in 16 bit too, just don't understand how it would sound so much different.

a.k.a. Porp & Mr. Muffins
Member
Since: Oct 09, 2002


Dec 04, 2003 11:35 am

Well, what are you listening to the exported track on? This sounds like a common case. If you haven't done proper mastering (Final EQ, compression, etc.) than what sounds good on the speakers you're mixing on (especially if they don't have a flat frequency responce, aka. studio monitors) will sound terrible in another set of speakers. Your mix will be all off-- different frequency ranges at different levels in different players. If you actually listened to the wave on your computer it would sound the same as it did in Sonar. This is, in my opinion, the hardest part about recording, mixing, and mastering. EQ'ing correctly makes ALL the difference. It is what separates amature from pro, and it is one of my biggest struggles. Also keep in mind that louder always sounds better. Are you listening to the unmixed-down version louder than the mixed-down one?

Am I on the right track?

Lost for words with all to say.
Contributor
Since: Sep 12, 2003


Dec 04, 2003 01:55 pm

Not really. I'll give more info with what I'm working with to help out.

I use M-Audio BX8 studio monitors, so I know it has nothing to do with not having a flat frequency response. I spent TONS of time eq-ing. Everything sounds eq-ed in the final, just all the volumes are off. I did TONS of volume envelope work too to get everything perfect. Think it could be the trim not set right?? I used a compressor on the vocals and drums and sounded good through Sonar. And when I'm mixing and eq-ing, I'm listening too it pretty loud. Also listen to the final product (one that didn't come out well) at the same high volume.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Dec 04, 2003 10:55 pm

I will have look and try to duplicate your problem. I run Sonar as well and have never run into this problem before. I know many people here who use it and Ive never heard of anything like that at all. I should be able to mess about this weekend with it and Ill post what I find.

Peace

Master of the Obvious?
Member
Since: Jun 29, 2004


Jan 14, 2007 11:12 am

Hey man, are you listening to the final mix on the same computer/speakers? I couldn't determine if that was the case based on the conversation so far.

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