I think I saw an ad about a digital editing program that can take the whole project which represents all the tracks on a cd and automatically make all the tracks roughly the same db level. Now I have to use something like Wavelab or Soundforge to make each track close to the same level but it's a pain in the buttubus to do each one at a time, especially since one track might have a higher high freq content and sound louder even though the DB level is lower so its a subjective adjustment that has to be a hit or miss operation at least at my level of understanding, which is why I would like something that equalizes the db level of all the tracks with one operation so when you play them in a cd player or such the tracks all sound roughly as loud as the rest of the tracks. Anyone hear of such a program? Thanks ahead of time. Don.
Originally posted by DraxusYeah, I checked them out. I found out the name of the process at least. Its called 'batch conversion' as a general term for any process that goes over several cuts, like all your cuts on a cd project. I think it looks like this auto-level function I want is included in that overall
I've never worked with a program that streamlines db levels. I'm sure there are some out there though because professional radio stations would need to use them all the time.
As for the programs that I know, Adobe Audition and ProTools, they don't do it.
Good luck
term. It looks like Wavelab 6 has it. I have a junior version called wavelab essentials, just got it a few days ago and don't know a lot about it and if it includes batch conversion. I have to figure that part out. For a hundred bucks I doubt it. I also saw a copy of Wavelab 5 on ebay for something like 250 bucks, no bids as of yet, it supposedly has batch conversion in it. Don't know for sure ATT if that version of batch convert includes leveling. It should, I would think.
Originally posted by sonhouseI have never heard of anybody who wants to do this. Just adjusting amplification is never going to be anything other than a "by ear" hit and miss affair because the output of all the tracks are actually mastered at around the same Db level.
Yeah, I checked them out. I found out the name of the process at least. Its called 'batch conversion' as a general term for any process that goes over several cuts, like all your cuts on a cd project. I think it looks like this auto-level function I want is included in that overall
term. It looks like Wavelab 6 has it. I have a junior version called wavela ...[text shortened]... w for sure ATT if that version of batch convert includes leveling. It should, I would think.
However, I imagine what you could do what you want with a compressor. You are going to have some reduction in quality if you this option though.
There are many compressors around and you might want to have a look at "Jamin" which is mastering software though does excel at compression and limiting in my view. http://jamin.sourceforge.net
Sadly, this is going to require you the remarkable "Jack" application too and, I don't think this stuff runs on Windows.
Originally posted by WheelyIn my case, the sources of my recordings are spread out in time over a 25 year period and there is no way for those sources to be anything close to the same level, I have done some of those adjustments of db levels and got them better but not good enough yet to call the tracks finalized. There are algorithms that do just that automatically, taking as input all the cuts which would be considered the complete cd project and memorizes the average level of each cut and then goes back and tweaks the average to bring them closer together. There is also another algorithm that can adjust the sound based on the eq, that is to say even though the average db level may be the same, there is a differance in the percieved sound level due to the fact the human ear is not all that level in sensitivity from lows to highs and sounds may sound louder, say if there is a fairly high level of highs vs lows so some of these processes can adjust for that also. I found a comparison chart of Wavelab 6 (the latest version of the full program, at about 700 bucks retail) and Wavelab essentials, which is what I have and it looks like batch conversion is one of the features not on my cheaper product. So I might get my money back and just get an academic version of the real thing which will allow me to at least finalize my project. What is this 'Jack' thing you talk about?
I have never heard of anybody who wants to do this. Just adjusting amplification is never going to be anything other than a "by ear" hit and miss affair because the output of all the tracks are actually mastered at around the same Db level.
However, I imagine what you could do what you want with a compressor. You are going to have some reduction in qua ...[text shortened]... you the remarkable "Jack" application too and, I don't think this stuff runs on Windows.
Originally posted by sonhouseYou could save yourself some money and look at some of the open source software available. Much of it is professional quality.
In my case, the sources of my recordings are spread out in time over a 25 year period and there is no way for those sources to be anything close to the same level, I have done some of those adjustments of db levels and got them better but not good enough yet to call the tracks finalized. There are algorithms that do just that automatically, taking as input ...[text shortened]... hich will allow me to at least finalize my project. What is this 'Jack' thing you talk about?
Jack is software that allows you to plug the output of one piece of audio software with the input of another. It can handle multiple "plugs". There is a LOT of jack aware software all listed on the web page and I'm pretty sure you'll find something that might help you.
I still feel you are going to end up changing output levels manually though.
Originally posted by WheelyHi back, thanks for your response. I talked to a guy at Sam Ashe and another at Dave Phillips sound, both high end stores and they seem to agree with you that mastering is a manual job. One guy said the batch process does not link cut to cut but does its job only on the present cut being mastered. If that is true it may be equivalent to your 'jack' effect. What you describe is something like sends and receives on a mixer, bunch of them in series. That may be what Wavelab means by 'batch conversion'. Still trying to come up with the definitive definition of that term. One problem for me is Wavelab is owned by Steinburg but seems to have been bought out by Yamaha so the original company is in Germany and I have one support site listed in California. So some further digging is indicated. Thank you all.
You could save yourself some money and look at some of the open source software available. Much of it is professional quality.
Jack is software that allows you to plug the output of one piece of audio software with the input of another. It can handle multiple "plugs". There is a LOT of jack aware software all listed on the web page and I'm pretty sure y ...[text shortened]... ht help you.
I still feel you are going to end up changing output levels manually though.