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Iv'e recorded a song in Pro Tools and for some reason after the bounce and convert to mp3 it sounds louder on the left side of the car than the right. Why is this and how can I fix it to make it sound better/perfect in a car?

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TheJackAttack Fri, 12/17/2010 - 22:59

Are you sure it's not the stereo/speakers in your car? I'm not sure I would make balance decisions based upon one vehicle. Remember there is no "sweet spot" in a car. Also, our ears hear differently in different environments-and a car is different. Now if EVERY car you listen to this CD has a louder left channel, and if eight out of ten other pairs of ears agree, then you messed it up in your mixing. What is confusing is that just because peaks on a waveform look pretty equal does not necessarily mean the aural SPL is equal. You need to check RMS statistics-minimum average, maximum average, mean, etc. RMS will be much closer to a statistical truth than some transients.

kmetal Sat, 12/18/2010 - 04:13

i'd say check your mix in mono, to get a realistic idea of your blend. cars are tight spaces, they also have speakers w/ roll-off's which allow you to go up to maximum settings. imaging has never been a quality i'd judge from a car radio. i use them for 'balancing' as too much/less of ______ is usually noticeable. Rock on.

mdb Mon, 12/20/2010 - 13:42

You'll be back-and-forth between your mixing station and your car a lot. It may sound good on one system and sound like garbage on another. This is common and gets better with practice. I go to the car quite excited all the time and then come back very sad. I'm getting better though.

Also, you are sitting on the left side of the car. Sit on you e-brake (if it's between the seats) and listen. Hahaha.