making live sound better?

[Moody]

Only EQ what is necessary when it will not sit properly in the mix. Tariketh's guides are a great place to start. Once everything is sounding nice in its own place then move to the master channel with a little saturation, compression and limiting.(or whatever else you find a liking for) Some of the most difficult obstacles coming from software is getting used to dialing in harmonics for texture that many pieces of hardware insert into the signal path.

[radib]

soundwise there is no real difference between using live and pro tools, there is little positive difference when using samplitude or cubase.

but there is a relative big difference mixing and eq-ing tracks into stereo out of the box with analog hardware, and also using analog hardware synths for sound creation and very very less vst effects. the only effect still in my setup are the ua moog filter and little frantic, both with much analog dirt feel. but it depends on your style, there is enough, newer and traditionally digital music that is harder to put into shape with analog sound.

[cryo]

Is that your music on Beatport? Did you produce that stuff?

ya i did most of those tracks on beatport and some are remixes of my songs done by other artists on my label..i am really trying to improve the sound quality of my tracks....most of my old stuff(on beatport) was done with all hardware and recorded to dat but i have never been totally satisfied with the sound quality so i decided to try using software.....using computers for music is something new to me that i really want to get better at....i appreciate everyones advice...i will try to mix down my new songs with the techniques mentioned.....also

i know its really just personal preference but i know some ppl that use compression on the master channel in live that seem to be pretty successful with it....younger ppl these days in dance music circles seem to use alot of compression and boost the levels well into the red....i know it is a sound not every one will like but in some cases these producers get alot of play in clubs ect....one example is my friend dj barletta...he seems to defy alot of the guidelines established producers tend follow yet gets lots of play in clubs...he does all his stuff in ableton, uses compression on the master channel and always has his master in red. plus he never has his stuff mastered cus its already really loud after rendering...i just thought i would bring him up as a reference to going against traditional techniques..
http://www.myspace.com/djbarletta

[massiveheadpain]

run the master output through this:


http://www.vintageking.com/core/media/m ... 30384b8773

[j2j]

I've heard it said, "the recent reduction in music sound, production, and overall quality is a direct reflection of, the reduction of quality of life."

People don't seem to want to listen to nice music nowadays.

I'm really quite frustrated myself. I seem to put so much time, effort and care into my music. I've no idea how to market it, I've absolutely no idea how to connect, with what people seem to think is cool nowadays.

I really like music, that has a very soft, and gentle feeling to it. Almost like a lullaby, a dreamy sort of music. A really spacious music. That definitely does not seem to be what is popular, at the current moment in time. I'm definitely disconnected from today's sound.

[kb420]

You need to pick up a copy of this:

[cryo]

Does it sound good when you are mixing it?

for some reason my tracks seem to sound better when i am mixing them compared to when i render them

[kb420]

It's all in the mix. That would be the case no matter what DAW you are using. I had the same problem with Sonar. You have to learn the rules of mixing digital audio to know why that happens.

[radib]

yeah digital mixing is the new hell. so many rules and even if you follow all, the result is less than if you´d mixed analog - without any rules.

[kb420]

yeah digital mixing is the new hell. so many rules and even if you follow all, the result is less than if you´d mixed analog - without any rules.

Well, I understand where you are coming from, but I have to disagree. Once you know what to look for and truly understand what's going on in a digital mix, you won't feel that way.



I like to think of digital mixing like putting different liquids into a soda bottle. Each different track is a different liquid ingredient. If you put the right amount of each ingredient in the bottle, then you will have a nice soda. If you don't, it will taste like crap. So you have to mix everything in it's proper proportions all while remembering that no matter what you do, you can only put soo much soda in the bottle.

Does that make sense?

[snap]

I have not actually tried this, but someone once mentioned to me that rewiring Ableton through Logic Audio will produce a better sound.

[mdk]

I have not actually tried this, but someone once mentioned to me that rewiring Ableton through Logic Audio will produce a better sound.

its a common myth. ignore it.

[Moody]

Does it sound good when you are mixing it?

for some reason my tracks seem to sound better when i am mixing them compared to when i render them

Possibly your monitoring situation should be evaluated as well. Give it some time, it will come together.

[Low Frequency Obstinator]

Most of my techniques i use to get a rich, warm sound are from my old school, 1980's 4 track days but still seem to work for me today....

I normaly avoid using too many fx, especialy compression and favour using volume envelopes/automation on the offending part. This gives me more control and doesnt 'blanket' effect the whole track....(much easier than having to 'ride the faders' in real time too !)

I also use EQ to 'carve' notches for different instruments to poke through if they seem lost in the mix, eg:

decide that the vocals for instance have prominant frequency say at 5khz then add an eq to all other tracks with a notch cut @ 5khz. This mean that only the vocal occupy this frequency giving it room to breath.

Combine this with obvious EQ-ing like rolling of the top end on bass parts and the bottom end from hats etc and you'll find your tracks have more depth.

I mostly bounce everything out flat as possible and import into Audacity for final adjustments using a combination of 'mastering' FX (PSP vintage warmer, BSB sonic max etc..) or if pressed for time just throw T-racks over it using the 'suite' setting @ FM Radio Broadcast and tweaking to suit.

[radib]

I like to think of digital mixing like putting different liquids into a soda bottle. Each different track is a different liquid ingredient. If you put the right amount of each ingredient in the bottle, then you will have a nice soda.

thats no big deal, more exactly what i´m tired of. why should i limit every track in such way when i wanna go for a unique sound? mixing analog rarely produces crap, and takes lots of less time and effort. AND i didn´t come from analog, i started with digital and did it for three years. it all changed when i had my first hardware eq. thats were you really hear the most of the whole difference. with analog eq you just shape the sound characteristics, with a digital one you have to tune for hours while not getting any step close to a result really satisfying on a level beyond "parttime-homerecording". even if you take the cheapest analog compact mixer available you have better results than with the most expensive digital eq (i still use some universal audio software eq in the songwriting process since i have no big console with eq on every track, so i hear the difference every day).