Skip to main content

Hello All,
I'm currently in the process of finishing some mixes for mastering. I'm recording in Logic Audio at 24bits 44.1 khz. I've notice for some time that when playing back audio within Logic the mix sounds fuller and has more punch. However, when I bounce or "mixdown" the files into an interleaved stereo file at 24 bits, I notice a loss of that "punch." My ears could be playing tricks on me but I swear I can hear that the sound has become somewhat veiled and flatter.
Without getting into the whole digital summing bus debate, do M.E.s recommend sending off an entire external harddrive with all of the files included and the mix session? So in theory they could load up logic, import the files and bounce the session how they chose instead. Would this be a wiser option for me to pursue? Logic's bouncing is really getting me down...

Comments

Ammitsboel Thu, 08/12/2004 - 04:24

when I bounce or "mixdown" the files into an interleaved stereo file at 24 bits, I notice a loss of that "punch." My ears could be playing tricks on me but I swear I can hear that the sound has become somewhat veiled and flatter.

What format are your bouncing down to?
Are you using any dither?
Are you using realtime bouncing?

Best Regards,

Michael Fossenkemper Thu, 08/12/2004 - 04:47

Don't send the whole mix to the ME, it'll become a nightmare. Most likely what I think you might be hearing is some truncation. Even if you're bouncing at 24 bit you should be dithering it to 24 bit. Double check to find out what the internal mixer is running at bit wise. Find a good dither plugin that will dither at 24 bit and try that. tell us if anything changed.

anonymous Thu, 08/12/2004 - 06:08

Thanks for the replies. I apologize as I should have been more clear in what I'm doing. I'm recording and bouncing at 24bits wav files without any dithering. I'm on PC so I'm stuck at Logic 5.5 without the option to bounce offline. That's a pain in the butt because of the vst plugs I use but thats another story.
My soundcard, vxpocket v2, is set at 24 bits. Is it possible that cramming all of those seperate files into a 24 bit interleaved stereo file results in the loss of individual file bits?
Massive, thanks for the link to the plugin. I've been considering picking up a 1/4" 2-track studer to dump everything into. Would this be a worthwhile route to consider?

Thanks Again,
Scriabin

Ammitsboel Thu, 08/12/2004 - 09:10

Thanks for the replies. I apologize as I should have been more clear in what I'm doing. I'm recording and bouncing at 24bits wav files without any dithering.

OK, try with dithering and tjek if it's any better...

Is it possible that cramming all of those seperate files into a 24 bit interleaved stereo file results in the loss of individual file bits?

Yes it is indeed! especially if you're not using dither.

I've been considering picking up a 1/4" 2-track studer to dump everything into. Would this be a worthwhile route to consider?

Yes it would.
The format in it's self is of a higher quality than any computer file... if it's correctly adjusted(that's my opinion).
When you get it, try to experiment with 15ips and 30ips to find out what suits your material best.
1/4" 15ips can sound very nice and special in it's own way!

Best Regards,

Ammitsboel Thu, 08/12/2004 - 12:16

chriscali wrote:

What's the point of dither if you aren't reducing your bit rate?

Ha! I have the same question. Anybody?

As far as I've been told the Logic mixer operates at a higher bitrate than 24bit.... hence the dithering.
If you work with 16 or 24bit file(s) you will easilly end up with 32,48 or 64bit if the processing bitrate allows it.

You could get a plugin that shows the bitrate so you can see it.

anonymous Thu, 08/12/2004 - 19:20

iznogood wrote: try recording through a digital loop (spdif out to in) onto a muted stereo track...

that's what i do in protools

Interesting concept, I've never thought of that. I record with a vxpocket and its got both extension on it. However, their both females...is it possible to get an spdif male to male to make that loop?

Michael Fossenkemper Fri, 08/13/2004 - 07:03

Cranesong dither is modeled after analog noise. whatever that means. It's a noise shaped dither that is designed to enhance certain freqs to emulate analog tape bumps. It's more designed to change the tone a little. Basically you add it to your mix at -25db. I've used it a few times and I think it helps with really bad digital sounding mixes but doesn't do much for well mixed stuff. Plus the object of dither is not to change the sound but to preserve the sound. I myself would rather I changed the sound than relying on random noise to do something for me.

Ammitsboel Tue, 09/07/2004 - 10:06

Hi,
just record you song's direct to the external CD recorder no need for Dithering even if you record the song's on 96 sample rate 24 bit it will go to 16bit 44.1 and it sound's best

Either it's dithering and then truncating, witch is the same as doing it internal, except that you can thoose witch dither you will use when doing it internally.

Or the nr2 option is that it's just truncatin the incomming 24/96 signal to 16/44 and that means that you're now the lucky owner of a CDR with reduced space,definition and dynamics.

Best Regards,

x

User login