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How to find a Dynamic Rage?


surf

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Hey guys,

 

So here the thing I'm fairly new to recording, I have been using logic pro since I started and I was wondering a few things.

 

First, I was wondering if their was any way with logic pro to find out the dynamic range of a specific track..... Or than find out what is the highest input level of a track and the lowest and I can do the math after.

 

I would like to find out so I can then setup my compressors right.

 

Thanks for everything guys!

 

Surf

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By the looks of your posts, your quest for knowledge would be helped a lot if you had a look at the MacProVideos especially the Mastering Toolkit by Steve Horelick. It will answer most, if not all your questions on frequencies, compressors etc. it's very easy to watch and listen to. I am in no way associated with them I'm just a satisfied customer.

http://www.macprovideo.com

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thanks guys that's awesome

 

that books looks really great do you have any resources that you would recommend but related to mac?

 

thanks again

 

surf

 

There are virtually limitless books written on these subjects.

 

I think you are going w-a-y-y-y-y overboard trying to analyze the dynamic range of a track so that you can set a compressor.

 

Let's re read that a few times ...

 

analyze the dynamic range of a track so that you can set a compressor.

analyze the dynamic range of a track so that you can set a compressor.

analyze the dynamic range of a track so that you can set a compressor.

analyze the dynamic range of a track so that you can set a compressor.

 

Why would you even need a compressor in this situation?

What are you trying to achieve?

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Sorry - I'm not offering any tips! But thanks for asking the question as it's something I've also wondered for a while. For me, ideally, I'd like a graph of the volume change over time, min, max, average, standard deviation, that sort of stuff. Yes, nerdy I know. So, I can buy the videos, or some other book. OK, but I'm seriously ... err... financially challenged/ broke/ skint etc so not really an option for me. So, is there any way to get this info from logic? Overall min and max are only so useful, but at least it would be a start. And yes, I can sit there and watch the metres and yes they do record the overall max ... when you play the track all the way through (as they reset evertime you stop and start). As I said, what would be ideal is to have a volume by time graph. Of course, the wave form for audio is in effect such a graph, but only for that region of that track. When you've got a number of audio files, recorded separately, not always with same volume at time of recording, it gets complicated quickly. Also, bouncing the whole thing and looking at the total waveform gives a picture, but it's hardly an elegant way of doing it. I'm sure there's something obvious - so I'm happy to get "Jeez, read page xxx to xxx of the manual for crying out loud!". Wait - there's a manual!? ; )

cheers

MIkeC

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Give a 'for example.'

 

Are you talking Orchestra?

Speed Metal?

Crickets chirping?

Mosquitoes farting?

 

Did the guitar track clip?

Is the Vocalist way too loud? (I actually witness a powerful singer blow out a speaker.)

 

Are you trying to use processors to compensate for poor mixing abilities?

 

Obviously with no input sound, you meter should show no activity. The high end depends on how you set it up.

 

If you want a wide dynamic range, stay away from the processors, if you want a very tight limited range, use noise gates, limiters, and compressors.

 

 

You can look at your Sample Editor and use a level meter if you really want to waste time.

531408635_Picture1.gif.03ab7357823c757a994b2158ae2320e1.gif

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Assuming a zero noise floor (as is the case with most virtual instruments), the lowest point in the dynamic range of any given track is going to be silence. If you've recorded a live instrument and there's some room or noise on the line, just look in the sample editor and you'll get an idea of the ambient level of the noise. Or use one of the meters to show you the average ambient noise level during portions of the recording where there's no music playing.

 

So the answer to "lowest" is going to be either zero or "something", where "something" is most easily seen on a meter.

 

For the highest end, open any region in the sample editor and use the Search Peak function. Ta da.

 

But keep in mind that the relative dynamic range for any given part is going to be relative to all other parts in your arrangement.

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thanks guys that's awesome

 

that books looks really great do you have any resources that you would recommend but related to mac?

 

I have even better: I wrote a book that is specific to Logic, and that'll teach you all the basics about producing music with Logic. It starts from scratch so if you're a beginner or relatively new to the topic, it will be perfect for you. Of interest to you, it does explain how to use a compressor, a limiter and an EQ plug-in (among many other things). Click on the book to access the Amazon page where you can look inside the book.

 

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5191ZQ2rA%2BL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg

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Made two pics with AudioLeak that illustrate what has changed in "mastering for attention" (Loudness Weapons of mass hearing destruction)

The first is Psycho Killer by the Talking Heads.

The second is Just haven't met you yet by M. Boob-lay. Bubble. Whatever.

The second is the true psycho-killer. It is nigh unlistenable, which is a pity, as it's a very nice song, compositionally, melodically. But it has been steamrollered (compressed, loud-ified) to death.

 

Needless to say, I prefer the first. The second is a hearing killer. Set the first song to the loudest comfortable volume and listen. Keep that volume and try the second song. After a very short time you reach, nay, JUMP, for the volume knob.

907165231_PsychoKiller.jpeg.664be635bedaa3f7754e4554da4d4a36.jpeg

1674194466_HaventMetYouYet.jpeg.f4c3ceb2c4cfea08741df63f5291833c.jpeg

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Needless to say, I prefer the first. The second is a hearing killer. Set the first song to the loudest comfortable volume and listen. Keep that volume and try the second song. After a very short time you reach, nay, JUMP, for the volume knob.

 

So in other words, you are using your ears?

 

Ha! Why would I do that? I can see it clearly.

 

Actually, with this brickwalled music you don't need ears, you can use touch...

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  • 9 months later...
Actually, with this brickwalled music you don't need ears, you can use touch...

 

Maybe one day the pop music industry will wake up and go "Wait.... they're called limiters.... won't that limit the musical expressiveness?! Wow, how come we never realized....." But with guys like Dada Life gleefully extolling the virtues of their own limiter thingie - appropriately called the Sausage Fattener, that time may be long in coming.

 

And in a few years, the Dada Lifers will have gone all Pete Tong and be listening with their fingers.

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The first is Psycho Killer by the Talking Heads.

The second is Just haven't met you yet by M. Boob-lay. Bubble. Whatever.

The second is the true psycho-killer. It is nigh unlistenable, which is a pity, as it's a very nice song, compositionally, melodically. But it has been steamrollered (compressed, loud-ified) to death.

 

For some reason, that Bublé song reminds me of Avril Lavigne's Complicated, also a severely squashed choon.

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Maybe one day the pop music industry will wake up and go "Wait.... they're called limiters.... won't that limit the musical expressiveness?! Wow, how come we never realized....."

 

Since when has pop music been about musical expressiveness?

 

It's all about catchy hooks, BIG sounds, and making lots of MONEY.

 

If a song has a quiet section in it, who's going to hear that on the radio or in a mall? Sonic abrasiveness sells records because it gets them noticed above the din of our noisy culture.

 

Shame that those engineering practices have spilled over into genres that it does a disservice to though...

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Couple of months ago we were going on a pie pilgramage to Hornby.

Sunny day.

Radio was crap...clicked to CD of Delius.

Most appropriate for the English countryside....but

 

had to turn the volume up a lot...cos "The dynamics on this are so cool you can't hear half of it!".

 

Much laughter (from heavy geezers who knew what it meant).

 

 

 

Hic

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