Pro Tools Low Levels

Bruce Hamilton · Post by **Bruce Hamilton** » 16 Mar 2009 8:51 pm

I am sure this subject has probably come up before but until now I have never had a need to check here. I bought a used Digi 002 Rack with the intention of doing my own cd's. I have just completed my first crack at this and everything went better than expected. However I have one tune that was going so good I didn't keep an eye on the record levels as I was doing it and consequently it is way below the rest. Is there a way of salvaging this or is it toast? I was thinking that maybe I could import it into a new session and crank that up or just play it through my PA and record it at a higher level but I am sure there probably some major downsides to this. Any advise would be appreciated.Thanks Bruce

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 16 Mar 2009 10:17 pm

Bruce, I assume it's just a few tracks on the one tune. You should be able to highlight or select the entire track, then go to the Audio suite menu up on the left, and select "gain", you can then select an amount of gain in db, or simply move the slider to add digital gain. You then apply the gain to the track, and can experiment to get the correct amount by using the undo function. Not something you'd want to do on every track, but should work to bring your basic tracks up to the level you've been working with.

Bruce Hamilton · Post by **Bruce Hamilton** » 17 Mar 2009 5:18 am

Thanks Mark. Unfortunately it is the whole tune. All the tracks are nicely mixed together but the master fader is at max. Nothing is overloaded into the red but the level is just too low. I suppose I could try increasing all the db levels like you suggested. Would this work?

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 17 Mar 2009 11:48 am

Hey Bruce,

One of the most useful pt plugins out there is the Massey L2007 mastering limiter...strap that over your master fader and you'll have gain for days plus you can demo it for free and if you like it its only 89 bucks...we use it everyday...

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 17 Mar 2009 12:07 pm

I thought it was just one or two of the original tracks. What John said for the whole mix. Another one I like is the PSP vintage warmer.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 17 Mar 2009 5:13 pm

The Massey CT4 compressor is also a gem---Steve Massey used to code for Digi before he started his own company. All the plugs are excellent, and no ilok, and you can authorize them on 3 computers (which is a boon for us with 3+ protools systems inhouse...)

PSP is nice, too...

Marc Jenkins · Post by **Marc Jenkins** » 17 Mar 2009 6:15 pm

Bruce,

How low are you talking? There is a movement afoot in the professional recording industry to track digital with maximum peaks anywhere from -12 to -20 dbfs. This is essentially the same level as peaking at jsut under 0 db in analog. Email for more details, I'd be glad to help!

Bruce Hamilton · Post by **Bruce Hamilton** » 17 Mar 2009 7:23 pm

I had some free time tonight so I took a stab at using the Pro Tools gain plugin. As the tune I was working on was a jazz ensemble piece with only 5 tracks I tried boosting all of them and it worked. Saved the tune! I went on and did a couple of solo one track tunes and added some more headroom. The Massey plugins look like the best deal out there and I am definately going to follow up on that. Thanks again for all your input. It sure took away a cloud over my head. This has been an intense long project and I was not looking forward to loosing any of my work.