Leveling a synth track
- Nerveclinic
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Hi Everyone.
I need some technical expertise if possible. I am working on a track where I have a synth sound that for whatever reason (One reason is use of LP filter movement) the sound is sometimes too quiet and also too loud.
I am looking for a technic to level the track. I know Selig Leveler is for vocals, but does it work on Instrument sounds also?
Are there any other technics I am not familiar with? Something that works similar to a leveler?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
nerveclinic
I need some technical expertise if possible. I am working on a track where I have a synth sound that for whatever reason (One reason is use of LP filter movement) the sound is sometimes too quiet and also too loud.
I am looking for a technic to level the track. I know Selig Leveler is for vocals, but does it work on Instrument sounds also?
Are there any other technics I am not familiar with? Something that works similar to a leveler?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
nerveclinic
- Boombastix
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Selig Leveler, Compressors, Maximizers, Clippers, Limiters. They do things differently, but with basically the same end goal, to reduce dynamics. (There are exception where you can increase dynamics, but that is not what you are looking for)
Combining different methods can be quite useful. Best is to experiment so you get a feel how they work. There is no rule than one of them can only be used for a particular type of sound.
Combining different methods can be quite useful. Best is to experiment so you get a feel how they work. There is no rule than one of them can only be used for a particular type of sound.
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- Jackjackdaw
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I had a similar situation recently, spent ages trying to compress the sound into shape but it wasn't working. Ended up having to go back into the synth patch and tame the modulation. As with everything, it's better to have your source material up to scratch than trying to fix stuff in post. That said, if you do spend all that time messing around with the compressers, limiters etc, you will get to know what they do much better!
- Nerveclinic
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I use a compressor and a limiter on every track. I think I'll look into using the Selig and see how that works.Boombastix wrote: ↑29 Apr 2020Selig Leveler, Compressors, Maximizers, Clippers, Limiters. They do things differently, but with basically the same end goal, to reduce dynamics. (There are exception where you can increase dynamics, but that is not what you are looking for)
Combining different methods can be quite useful. Best is to experiment so you get a feel how they work. There is no rule than one of them can only be used for a particular type of sound.
- Nerveclinic
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- Joined: 30 Jan 2015
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Thanks, it's definitely not the source material being "up to scratch" it sounds great just like it is which is why I don't want to change it. It has a really intense sound and I am turning up and down a LP filter to get some dynamics. Obviously when full open it's a lot louder. I don't need to get them totally level, just trying to get them closer because now when I open all the way and turn down the volume so it doesn't go into red, when I come back to the heavy filter you don't Really hear the sound at all.Jackjackdaw wrote: ↑29 Apr 2020I had a similar situation recently, spent ages trying to compress the sound into shape but it wasn't working. Ended up having to go back into the synth patch and tame the modulation. As with everything, it's better to have your source material up to scratch than trying to fix stuff in post. That said, if you do spend all that time messing around with the compressers, limiters etc, you will get to know what they do much better!
Sounds like I should see what I can do wit the Selig Leveler.
Thanks.
Grab the KiloHearts Limiter.. super simple and works well.. just don't slam it, just a few dbs at max.. I use it quite a bit to get things a tad louder with more character while taming peaks for further processing
- Boombastix
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Will if you are automating filtering then the natural thing to do is to automate the level as well.
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Try setting the device in the combinator and creating a macro routing for the filter. When you open up the filter, the master volume decreases and vice versa. This is how I make all my synths/combinators when there's level changes due to effects like what you described, distortion and changing envelopes. And then like people have said, compressors and limiters. SSL style compression is actually really handy for synths since they have a long range of release times but very snappy on transients.Nerveclinic wrote: ↑29 Apr 2020Thanks, it's definitely not the source material being "up to scratch" it sounds great just like it is which is why I don't want to change it. It has a really intense sound and I am turning up and down a LP filter to get some dynamics. Obviously when full open it's a lot louder. I don't need to get them totally level, just trying to get them closer because now when I open all the way and turn down the volume so it doesn't go into red, when I come back to the heavy filter you don't Really hear the sound at all.Jackjackdaw wrote: ↑29 Apr 2020I had a similar situation recently, spent ages trying to compress the sound into shape but it wasn't working. Ended up having to go back into the synth patch and tame the modulation. As with everything, it's better to have your source material up to scratch than trying to fix stuff in post. That said, if you do spend all that time messing around with the compressers, limiters etc, you will get to know what they do much better!
Sounds like I should see what I can do wit the Selig Leveler.
Thanks.
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Leveler was never intended to be a "vocal" effect! It just so happened it works great for vocals, but I use it all the time on drums, synths, bass - anything I want to make louder.Nerveclinic wrote: ↑29 Apr 2020I am looking for a technic to level the track. I know Selig Leveler is for vocals, but does it work on Instrument sounds also?
That said, I'd also try tying the filter automation to volume, inverting it so the lower the filter the higher the volume. In the end you may need both.
The only reason I'd not reach for a traditional compressor/limiter is that you may need a large amount of limiting, which will be heard when the filter is all the way open. To have an attack time fast enough to catch transients you will have potential pumping when using large amounts of gain reduction. If you need 10 dB or more transparent level control, this is where I'd reach for the Leveler. OK, honestly, I reach for the leveler in all cases where I need to bring up low level signals since that's what it does best, but I'm 100% biased!
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- Nerveclinic
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As fate would have it I already own this, I will give it a try.
- Nerveclinic
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This sounds great, but know clue how to do it. Can you point me toward a video tutorial?
- Nerveclinic
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Looks like Mr. Selig is in the house! Nice. I use your gain effect all the time.
Off to discover how to chain a filter to a volume control...
That's interesting, the tutorials I see are for vocals. Good to know the instrument assumption was correct.selig wrote: ↑30 Apr 2020Leveler was never intended to be a "vocal" effect! It just so happened it works great for vocals, but I use it all the time on drums, synths, bass - anything I want to make louder.Nerveclinic wrote: ↑29 Apr 2020I am looking for a technic to level the track. I know Selig Leveler is for vocals, but does it work on Instrument sounds also?
Definitely going to look into this, sounds like a great tool. Do you know of a good tutorial demonstrating this concept?That said, I'd also try tying the filter automation to volume, inverting it so the lower the filter the higher the volume.
I use a compressor (Softube) and a limiter (Izotope) on every track. A lot of this has to do with a specific sound I am going for, very layered and thick electronic rather than anything "natural sounding". I feel like each sound improves with both of these.The only reason I'd not reach for a traditional compressor/limiter is that you may need a large amount of limiting, which will be heard when the filter is all the way open.
I will reach for it also...thanks for your thoughtful comments.If you need 10 dB or more transparent level control, this is where I'd reach for the Leveler. OK, honestly, I reach for the leveler in all cases where I need to bring up low level signals since that's what it does best, but I'm 100% biased!
Off to discover how to chain a filter to a volume control...
If I can’t find one I can probably make that my next tutorial video.Nerveclinic wrote: ↑30 Apr 2020This sounds great, but know clue how to do it. Can you point me toward a video tutorial?
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- Nerveclinic
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Please let me know if you do.
If I search You tube, what we be the best "search terms"?
Synth combinators or controlling parameters combinatorsNerveclinic wrote: ↑30 Apr 2020Please let me know if you do.
If I search You tube, what we be the best "search terms"?
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Here's the video. Just uploaded!Nerveclinic wrote: ↑30 Apr 2020Please let me know if you do.
If I search You tube, what we be the best "search terms"?
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- Nerveclinic
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Oh man that's amazing. I will check it out tomorrow!
Great video kalm! The combi is something I don't know much about, except some stuff I picked up years ago but never really utilized it. So thanks, I'll definitely be using the combis features alot more because of this..Kalm wrote: ↑02 May 2020Here's the video. Just uploaded!Nerveclinic wrote: ↑30 Apr 2020
Please let me know if you do.
If I search You tube, what we be the best "search terms"?
What kind of music do you typically produce?
A fusion of boom bap, downtempo, electronics, hip hop, R&B, ambient.
My mating genre is electro soul. Here’s a song I produced for a friend of mine a couple years back - https://music.apple.com/us/album/steppi ... 1452112002
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Nice man! Yeah, your pads are awesome! Well doneKalm wrote: ↑02 May 2020A fusion of boom bap, downtempo, electronics, hip hop, R&B, ambient.
My mating genre is electro soul. Here’s a song I produced for a friend of mine a couple years back - https://music.apple.com/us/album/steppi ... 1452112002
- Nerveclinic
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I just wanted to come back here and tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to make the video and more importantly to tell you it is awesome. What a great technique for adjusting volume with the filter.
Thanks so much and I am now a subscriber to your channel.
Awesome man. And thank you for the appreciation! I’m just glad people found it useful.Nerveclinic wrote: ↑09 May 2020I just wanted to come back here and tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to make the video and more importantly to tell you it is awesome. What a great technique for adjusting volume with the filter.
Thanks so much and I am now a subscriber to your channel.
Courtesy of The Brew | Watch My Tutorials | Mac Mini Intel i7 Quad-Core | 16 GB RAM | Samsung 850 EVO 250 GB | Reason 11 Suite | Studio One 5 Professional | Presonus Quantum | Komplete Kontrol 49 MK2 | Event Opals | Follow me on Instagram
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