SAMPLE LOOPS GROOVE NOT LOUD ENOUGH!

roadster_32 · Post by **roadster_32** » Mon May 05, 2008 12:48 pm

Hi guys,

I am having some trouble with the volume of samples being too low when I load them on pa800, I just wanted to knw if there is a way to amplify the signal on pa800. eg I am loaded some tabla loops sliced it but the only way I figured was to add gain from EQ or just edit it on my PC! Any help would appreciated!

roadster_32 · Post by **roadster_32** » Mon May 05, 2008 12:49 pm

I hope it is not a dum Q!hehe

galettouille · Post by **galettouille** » Mon May 05, 2008 1:37 pm

Hi!
The function you need is called "normalize". I think it's available in Pa1x/2x/800.

roadster_32 · Post by **roadster_32** » Sat May 10, 2008 6:04 am

Hi thanks ye I have tried that but still not loud enough, I just amplify it on an external wave editor!

galettouille · Post by **galettouille** » Sat May 10, 2008 7:52 am

roadster_32 wrote:Hi thanks ye I have tried that but still not loud enough, I just amplify it on an external wave editor!

Not loud enough? When the PA normalize a sample the sound is maximized to reach 0 dB. It can't be louder without distortion or using compression.

roadster_32 · Post by **roadster_32** » Sat May 10, 2008 10:11 pm

Yeh, I know thats what I didnt understand, because I loaded sample then normalize and save. Then load same sample in a drum kit, the drum kit was not loud enough after adding reverberation effects on each sample! I would try to record a beat using my custom kit and I can bearly hear as the other instruments are way louder compared to it!

Samples are 44100 Hz (sample rate), pretty clear on the pc no distortion!

OmarNoori · Post by **OmarNoori** » Sun May 11, 2008 12:15 am

hi i had the same problem, i played the loops over 3-4 times and it came out great!

Demonstrator · Post by **Demonstrator** » Sun May 11, 2008 2:16 am

salaam ... / HI...

well you have to use a program to edit dB. like +3 or something.
if don't have any software. then you can send me the sample you want to be louder. i will fix it. but i would suggest software..

BasariStudios · Post by **BasariStudios** » Sun May 11, 2008 6:56 am

No it cant be +3db...its not possible, if it goes to +3db it'll be garbage.
it has to be done on a mastering soft or use some mastering plugins,
use a Limiter, bring it as high as you can, try to have a nice RPM and
with the PEAK dont go over -01,-03 db...it'll sound nice.
I wont recomend Normalize since its not a proper function, noone will
recomend that, it is the last source of doing that but not desirable.

roadster_32 · Post by **roadster_32** » Sun May 11, 2008 7:56 am

Thanks guys,
ye I think as Nedim said a limiter or compressor should do it!But I have to experiment with it to get the right volume level I want, since I am not familiar with mastering software as much!

Demonstrator · Post by **Demonstrator** » Sun May 11, 2008 9:24 pm

BasariStudios wrote:No it cant be +3db...its not possible, if it goes to +3db it'll be garbage.
it has to be done on a mastering soft or use some mastering plugins,
use a Limiter, bring it as high as you can, try to have a nice RPM and
with the PEAK dont go over -01,-03 db...it'll sound nice.
I wont recomend Normalize since its not a proper function, noone will
recomend that, it is the last source of doing that but not desirable.

Hi once agian.

Well I mastered my samples and did some dB adding. and it sound nice.
i like them but if you don't think it is a good idea then do whatever feels right

roadster_32 · Post by **roadster_32** » Thu May 22, 2008 1:57 pm

Hi demonstrator what Nedim means is 0 decibels is the max you can go without distorting the sound +3 means you have hit the redzone meanign distortion!

Rob Sherratt · Post by **Rob Sherratt** » Thu May 22, 2008 2:44 pm

The problem with normalising the whole recording is that although it reduces the maximum amplitude signal down to the correct level of 0db absolute, in so doing it also reduces all the other signals by the same amount which can sometimes make the quieter parts of the sample much too quiet.

The way to fix this problem is to look at the sample in a waveform editor after normalising it. Identify all the peaks that have been set to 0db absolute. Carefully chop the sample up at a zero cossing point either side of these peaks, so that you have a number of other sub-samples containing the quieter signals. Then try normalising a few of these new sub-samples and see how much the level was altered. If for example they were boosted relative to the original level by 6.3db, then you would undo the changes, then select all the sub-samples and try boosting all of them by a similar amount (but slightly less) say 5db relative to the original level. You need to make sure that no amplitudes go above 0db absolute afterwards.

A compressor does a similar thing, but in my opinion does not achieve such a good result.

The "best way" to make drum and percussion tracks is to sample each percussion instrument separately in its own digital track on a multi track recorder. Then you can normalise the levels of each instrument separately, and then mix them together to get exactly the right result that you want.

roadster_32 · Post by **roadster_32** » Sat May 24, 2008 3:44 am

Thanks Rob, I will try that..