Are you recording in Sonar as well? I track on an outboard hard disk recorder and import to Sonar. I get worried that my levels are too hot, but I don't hear any distortion. I think part of the equation is what levels your soundcard is capable of. I just posted on the Sonar forum relating to this topic. My HDR runs at +4db, can't say for sure what level my soundcard is (the manual says -10 and "consumer"). If I solo a track in Sonar that peaks there at, say, +6, my soundcard display shows -10 to -12. My peak levels on my HDR are -6dbFS. Sure would be nice to know, since I'm about to send my first full length project to a mastering facility!

yah i also import into sonar. but im not sure why the sound is so low when i burn to a cd or compared to other wav/mp3's.

I find I need to run up the trim levels on certain tracks in Sonar to get a useable level, vocals especially . I usually boost them by +4 to +6. Give that a try, but watch your headroom in the overall mix.

I wonder if it could have anything to do with the format in which data is sent. In the Driver Profiles section (when using WDM drivers), options are given regarding the way 16-bit data is streamed.

I've never had a problem in Sonar, but in Project 5 the output level varies hugely according to the data format options.

Just a thought. I don't know if this could be relevant to your problem, but it's certainly important for audio playback.

Regards
John Stafford

imloggedin wrote: yah i also import into sonar. but im not sure why the sound is so low when i burn to a cd or compared to other wav/mp3's.

If you just export the mix without any limiting at the "mastering" stage your levels will be about 1/3 of a contemporary rock album. If you really need to ruin you rmusic by cranking it up (like I have to do whenever dealing with pseudo-humane A&R's) check out a mastering limiter like the Waves L3.

what do i need to use on the final product to bring it up to normal cd volume?

A mastering session...?

how about something i can do. im not sending my songs out for mastering. i cant afford it and i want to learn some things myself. "a mastering session" is the obvious answer. what about myself though?

You can try some at home mastering! Lots of decent plugins out there, free and otherwise, to get your levels up. Check out the Classic Master Limiter at http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com .

imloggedin wrote: what do i need to use on the final product to bring it up to normal cd volume?

As I said, the Waves L3-plugin is a good place to start.