Mixing to WAV

[georgemaddison]

I might be missing something here as I`m no technical expert when it comes to sound recording, but I`ve recorded a number of songs on Riffworks, which sound great when I play them within the program itself. However, when I mix them to WAV files they lose a lot of volume and punch.

I know I can adjust the properties with an external program later, but it never sounds as good as it does played within Riffworks.

Hope this makes sense to someone and thanks in advance for any help.

[mickeymix]

I mix to WAV on every tune 1st then convert to OGG and MP3 to listen to mixes in diiferent devices and haven't had the problem of low volume or weak sounding mix to WAV yet..........could it be your playback device? I listen to my mixes in (WAV) in Windows Media Player, Creative Media Player, and WinAmp with the EQ turned off 1st then on for comparison.....
Also check your levels in RiffWorks..........if your in the red too much .........the limiter in RiffWorks WILL kick in on the Mix to WAV and lower the levels in a negative fashion.
My #1 rule of thumb is to put the master gain in RiffWorks at -6 or just above it when I mix to WAV or to anything for that matter.
.

..........hope this helps you.........................Mick

[georgemaddison]

Thanks.....I think you`re right about the levels and the limiter. Tried again earlier tonight at -6, mixed it to WAV and got a much better result. Tweaked it in Audacity and ended with the best sound I`ve had , so far.

[gatorjj]

Here's just a side thought. I notice in other DAW programs they usually talk about a 32 bit or 64 bit mix engine. This is a good thing as even though most of what is going in is 16 bit, when you mix it all together more bits is helpful to getting a truer result that is then dithered back to 16 bit for the mixdown file.

I have no idea what resolution the RiffWorks engine is, but suspect when you are inside RiffWorks the mix sounds a little better as a result. I can also say I notice a difference between players, for example WinAmp always sounds better than WMP to me on a mix down file. The differences are subtle but noticeable in an A-B comparison, and you have good ears for noticing!

[RiffLearner]

Thanks.....I think you`re right about the levels and the limiter. Tried again earlier tonight at -6, mixed it to WAV and got a much better result. Tweaked it in Audacity and ended with the best sound I`ve had , so far.

Yeah, that's a great tip, I bet that's what's been happening to me as well...going to try that.

Thanks!