Boosting Volume For CD level

[Decepticon]

Hi everyone, my band just recorded our first song on an tascam 8-track and since we're new to recording we've recorded/mixed the whole song slightly to quiet. It's not an INSANE problem but it is quite irritating. So I was just wondering if anyone knows of any way I can boost the volume of the song on a a PC or otherwise. I would do anything to avoid recording the whole song again since it is quite complicated and has 4 guitars, bass, 2 drum tracks, vocals and backing vocals, we did tonnes of bouncing and the mix is perfect except it's just too quiet!!

Thanks for any help, Dave

[butcherbird]

If you can get the mix into your computer as a WAV file and have some decent software (like SoundForge or similar) you can try using compression to boost the overall level. Another thing to try is to Normalize the whole WAV to 0db. This will raise the level for the whole song, but watch out for clipping if you have any loud sections.

Compression is probably your best bet.

[hewesy]

Compression is what you need, nothing to huge but a nice 2:1 - 4:1 ratio should see you right.

What Tascam unit did you use? If it was the 788 use the built in dynamics patch on mix down (across the stereo output). If it was an older unit get hold of a decent stereo compressor and patch it in on the FX loop, or via the stereo outs.

What format are you mixing down to?

Hewesy

[Gurra]

In a software like wavelab, you should set a limiter to - 0.2 db, and then use a compressor with very low ratio to push the volume to the ceiling. When the level is high and the sound is not too squashed, your home. the best way to do this is probably with an L1, L2 or L3 limiter from waves.

[infsub]

YOU COULD DOWNLOAD EASY CD CREATOR.
THAT HAS A FEATURE TO COPY FROM VINYL CASSETTE ETC.
IT HAS FEATURES TO NORMALISE, REMOVE POPS, POLISH SOUNDS ETC.
i HAVE USED IT WITH SOME DEGREE OF SUCCESS TO CLEAN UP RECORDINGS THAT WERE A BIT MUDDY FROM MY BOSS BR8

[skip tracer]

Compression and limiting would be the way to go, but don't go for maximum loudness because it kills the dynamics and makes it hard on the ears.

[thefobia]

Originally posted by infsub
YOU COULD DOWNLOAD EASY CD CREATOR.
THAT HAS A FEATURE TO COPY FROM VINYL CASSETTE ETC.
IT HAS FEATURES TO NORMALISE, REMOVE POPS, POLISH SOUNDS ETC.
i HAVE USED IT WITH SOME DEGREE OF SUCCESS TO CLEAN UP RECORDINGS THAT WERE A BIT MUDDY FROM MY BOSS BR8

DID YOU USE THAT FEATURE ON YOUR TYPING TOO??? :D

Leave some dynamics in your typing please! (Caps off)

[SteveR]

get T-racks.

IM if you want it.

AIM: shelovesbigwords