Comparison of audio

nobody · Joined: Mar 09, 2008 Posts: 1687 Location: Not here

I was wondering if I could get your opinion, guys. I took a project originally mastered in Cakewalk Sonar and remastered it in Ardour.

The original Sonar master: http://audiodef.com/audio/freemp3s/emss2010_bimb.mp3

Ardour master: http://audiodef.com/audio/freemp3s/bimb_ardour.mp3

Do they sound different, and how?

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 5:46 am Post subject:

I can't pick them apart, but I do have to use headphones this time of night. It's a very nice track Audiodef. How you managed to do that with a hearing impairment I don't know.
I did notice on both versions that the vocals sound softer in the last 1/3 (or is everything else louder?) I think this takes away abit of the desperation angle which I think you should really play up a bit more.
Great track.

nobody · Joined: Mar 09, 2008 Posts: 1687 Location: Not here

Thanks!

You know, I can describe how I work (and I did in the thread where Les said he's taking time off from music - I hope he's OK), but at a fundamental level, I don't know how I do it any more than someone with normal hearing knows how he does it. Artists do their art and it just works somehow. I can tell you that until a couple of years ago I had a great audiologist who recommended the right hearing aids for me, which are indispensable to my work. She has moved on to management and now I will need to find a new clinical audiologist I can trust just as much.

I appreciate the tip about the last 1/3. I suspect it's because everything is a little louder.

Airlock · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 4:16 pm Post subject:

I took a listen to both, (BTW audiodef, good work, reminds me of The Red's) and the difference was so striking I had to take a peek to see why. The Ardour master is the top wave.

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nobody · Joined: Mar 09, 2008 Posts: 1687 Location: Not here

Well, the Ardour master is louder. What exactly does the difference sound like to you?

Airlock · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 1:23 pm Post subject:

I'm thinking you shouldn't have to make a volume adjustment to make a comparison like this, but above and beyond that I'm a little hazy on the need for "mastering" any one individual track in the first place.

If all you are concerned with is having -a- track "finished" just rely on your ears and do your best mix at moderate listening levels, come back a day or two later and see if it stands up. If it does you are finished, if not take another swing at it. A great mix on a single track will not need a pass through mastering tools to make it sound like a great mix.

Back on topic, the difference between "masters" here sounds like EQ that most obviously changed the mix level of the guitar line track and also affected the filter sweeps and levels of the synths and vocals, and the depth of the snare sound. In the end the Ardour master is muddy compared to the Sonar.

Mind you I'm getting to be an old man and I'm off my meds, so your mileage may vary. Again, good work audiodef!

nobody · Joined: Mar 09, 2008 Posts: 1687 Location: Not here

Thanks for the feedback! Cool