multitrack more dynamic then total mix on a stereo track??

Dide wrote on 8/31/2003, 9:01 AM
Do somebody has experiance how toget the same dynamic in a mix down stereo track as the same song multitracked?
When i listen to my multytrack project there is more dynamic/open mix then when i listen to the same song mixed to one stereo track??
I don't bounce it offline but realtime because of hardware FX and my digital mixer's in combination with motu 2408's.
I use a digital output of my mixer to a second pc it's digital soundcard spdif input to record it
Somebody?

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 8/31/2003, 8:50 PM
Is it possible that some of your outboard units have compression enabled?
Geoff_Wood wrote on 8/31/2003, 11:58 PM
Are you muting buss effects when playing your 'mixed' version, or doubling them up ?

geoff
Dide wrote on 9/1/2003, 6:28 PM
THX for you responds!!
No (both). i'm just have less dynamic than the multitrack version.
It sound not so open, transparant, full as the multitrack.
I'ts difficult to explain what i hear but it sounds not so good as the multitrack...
Each track in vegas is routed to a channel of one of the motu 2408 's witch is connected to my digital tascam mixers.
Also the output of the FX is routed to two channels of the 2408.
(I make the mix with the Tascams)
I use Eq in vegas and of my tascams, the mixers output (without compression) is going to the digital(SPDIF)input of my soundcard of a second PC.
Where is use soundforge to record it.
(i've got the same result if I use a DAT to master it to.)

It's not alot that I mis but enough to hear it.
Like the headroom is going down in the mixdown!


Maybe this is alway with a mutitrack?? but thats what i wanne know if somebody else is having experiance with this.


Br,
Dide
Chienworks wrote on 9/1/2003, 7:35 PM
Don't know if i can help at all, but i'll point out that you are going through some substantial processing paths by the time you get to the second computer. These paths are radically different than if you mix within Vegas. It could be that the algorithms used in the outboard processors modify the sound enough differently than Vegas' internal processing that you're noticing the difference. It's also possible that some of the outboard gear does do some compression as part of it's standard processing.

Personally i have to chuckle a bit when comparing this thread to a few previous ones where people were complaining that Vegas' internal mixing sounded dull or bad as compared to going through an external mixer. I guess it's largely dependant on your taste and what you want to hear.
drbam wrote on 9/1/2003, 9:08 PM
Is your Vegas multitrack session at 24 bit and your mixdown to Sound Forge 16 bit? If so, this certainly could account for some sonic differences (subtle but noticible).

drbam
Dide wrote on 9/2/2003, 6:25 PM
THX all for your reply's!

No 16Bit in Vegas and 16 in Soundforge.

I'm gonna experiment with different paths/hardware, a mix within vegas the same with my Tascam & motu and with my DAT and some soundcards...
I will let you know what's coming out!

Br,
Dide
JohanAlthoff wrote on 9/3/2003, 5:24 PM
I've also experienced this, but I think it's just placebo. I know for sure that I feel it's easier to judge a song by dragging the bounced .wav it into winamp rather than listening to the open Vegas project; the song always feels more "finished" when I don't see the project in front of me.

This is obviously just a psychological effect; the data reaching my ears is virtually the same.
drbam wrote on 9/3/2003, 6:10 PM
>>I've also experienced this, but I think it's just placebo. <<

There's an easy way to find out: Do a blind test and have someone else play the mix vs the multitrack and see what the results are. I'd personally be curious to hear your report. ;-)

Thanks,

drbam