Some of my presets turn out to be too loud when playing live, despite the gain levels I’ve set by ear. I’d like to have my output measured to see which ones have a louder output, so I can adjust the gain accordingly.
How can I achieve this?
Best if you use the forum search - there have been quite a few disussions about this topic!
Maybe I used the wrong words for searching. Found a post or 2, but still not the ultimate solution, I think.
Too loud is not always too high gain.
It depends very often in the spectrum of the sound.
Too much higher mid frquencies can make a sound too loud.
As too much lower bass can make it too quiet.
You have to set by ear (at least in the first place) but in the context of the band and not only when you are only playing your sounds.
Are you using headphones to build your sounds?
Yes I do.
You should use Studio Monitors because of 2 reasons:
Crossfeed and Frequency Response.
I am using Sonarworks Calibration together with Sennheiser HD 450 and a Headphone Amp which provides Cross Feed.
Then I use Sonwarworks Calibration with my Neumann Monitors.
And I am using Slate VSX
When on all environments the sound character is the same and in context of a full playback (except my sounds) the levels are OK, them I am confident that all my sounds are working live.
Since I am using this 3 options the FOH never has to adjust the frequency curve of my sounds, sometimes a little bit low end cutoff, but only when he has to boost the Master EQ in the low end.
AND: Do not forget to check in Mono.
The best sound is not working live when the FOH has to mix in Mono and because of Phase issues the sound collapses in Mono.
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My neighbours won’t like that, since I live in a row of houses. Though I appreciate your explanation how you manage your soundlevels.
I’m now struggling with Youlean Loudness Meter. But first I have to rebuild all my songs to place the Youlean in my Global Rackspace along with my AudioOut block.
I now have found the most matching already existing post on this subject.
So, I’m using YouLean Loudness meter 2 to level all rackspaces. I’ve put YL in the Global rackspace and alter al my rackspaces to send “to Global rackspace “ instead to the Audio Out.
In the Global Rackspace it’s From Global rackspace > YL > Audio out. In the wiring view I have to dubbel click on the YL block to open YL and the actual loudness meter. Is there a way it always shows the meter unless I “Bypass” YL ?
Also I’m advised to use a compressor. Any low budget/low CPU advice of you GP-users?
I’m a fan of Melda stuff and they have a free compressor. MCompressor | MeldaProduction
Regarding the YouLean meters, if you always have the plugin window open you’ll see the meters. Otherwise you can just run the output of that through a gain/balance block and show the levels with the level widgets on a rackspace panel.
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