Track Loudness vs. Dynamics

[jherman]

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10066138/Mp3s/FT.mp3
^ loudness

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10066138/Mp3s/FT3.mp3
^ dynamics


Although the one with dynamics is quieter by about 1.4db overall, I like the feeling from it WAY better. (yes i know the snare needs some verb )

thoughts?

 

[thefalloftheheretic]

TBH, I didn't hear a HUGE difference.
Though, that snare is really flubby.

 

[jherman]

you really don't hear a HUGE difference? That's unfortunate.

 

[jackbraglia]

no there certainly is a big difference. in the more dynamic one the kick sounds bigger and the low frequencies sound more balanced. but the loud one is actually over-compressed, I'm hearing distortion, whats the RMS on that one? you should probably find a nice medium between the two.

and what does your mastering chain look like?

 

[jackbraglia]

actually, when compared to a few other tracks, your more dynamic master is at the "right" volume, so i see no need to push it further.

 

[Plendakor]

I don't understand that "loudness war" thing. If I want to listen louder, I'm gonna raise by goddamn volume and push it clear and loud.
100% dynamics.

 

[jherman]

hurrah!

master chain goes -
Waves NLS (SSL)
Waves SSL (typical 30attack/-1release/ 4:1 ratio
Izotope Ozone Stereo Imager
Voxengo Elephant.

I have no idea what the RMS is on either at the moment, but i will let you know asap.

 

[Sloan]

ALL PEAKS MUST DIE

 

[jackbraglia]

how do u like that NLS? does it really sound anything like analog summing?

 

[jherman]

It sounds absolutely amazing, best set of plugs I've bought in a long time, you cant hear the difference at first, but after your ears get accustomed to it, and you bypass it, it's just earth shattering how much of a difference it makes.

 

[jackbraglia]

wow, that one's definitely on my list then. have you used the Kramer MPX at all? thats been my go-to plug-in for getting analog/tape character in my mixes. i wonder how using both together would sound.

 

[jherman]

I have not, i have used the psp stuff though (also sounds good, but for different applications, and it's a CPU hog) I will check that out though!

 

[jackbraglia]

I was never a huge fan of the vintage warmer when I used it, the MPX does a better job to me. I'll have it on like 8-10 tracks sometimes and see no signs of CPU struggle, so i guess its better in that sense too. but anyway man, u have my vote, the dynamic one is better. but what are you comparing your mix to that makes you feel like you need to go louder?

 

[jherman]

I will check out that mpx for sure, the one problem i noticed with the NLS is unless i freeze my tracks (reaper user) it's almost impossible to put it on every track and not have my pc gag (gen 1 i7, 16 gigs of ram, etc)

as far as the comparison, I recently did a track for a metal blade band, got it pretty loud, and it sounds phenomenal, it's by far the best mix/master I've ever done. Was trying to replicate the volume on it.... I talked for a while with a good friend today and sent him a few mixes he told me that i need to keep in mind "Their stuff may sound great, but that's them as a whole". Great advice.

 

[Scottxx]

The Dynamic version sounds far better jherman.

 

[Ermz]

Your 'Dynamics' version is significantly louder than the last mix I did (which was already pushing the ceiling quite heavily and losing dynamics). I don't see a need to go any louder.

 

[jherman]

thanks for the feedback everyone.