Why does my rendered file sound bad??

[ivanguy]

I just took an imported AIFF file and tried remixing it on Ableton 5 ... just extending a few of the bridges and whatnot ... then I sent it to iTunes to play it ... and it has this rough sound to it ... a bit scratchy. Is this just what happens when you manipulate music or is there a way to solve it? I have the filter set to "complex", so I thought it would sound decent, but compared to the original, the Ableton version sounds like crap. Any advice?

[Patch]

I have the filter set to "complex"...

I think you mean that you have the warp mode set tp complex - that would gove the stuttery/scratchy sound you are describing.

If it is just a re-edit you are doing (ie - extending parts of the track) try using the re-pitch warp mode.

[Machinate]

... and it has this rough sound to it ... a bit scratchy.[...] Any advice?

Sounds like digital clipping. Did you check your output levels when rendering?

[ivanguy]

[/quote] Did you check your output levels when rendering?[/quote]

I put the compressor on the main channel to reduce the levels .... is that what you're talking about?

[anti-banausic]

If it is already mastered tune, you probably don't need the compressor. Perhaps a limiter. One of my biggest mistakes early on was to try to make already mastered tracks sound "better". I really botched it for awhile.