[djmike534]

Is there a consensus within the customs community about the proper volume when using personal audio for customs creations? I have a high quality mp3 collection and have all my music normalized to 96 db which I always thought was already lower than your average CD.

While testing my first custom attempt, It sounded a bit loud and distorted in game. I have reduced the volume settings for all tracks within Magma gradually over time to -6 and still seems too loud compared to the rest of my Rock Band library. I can take all my customs mp3 to the correct volume from now on if there is one. Any ideas?

[Farottone]

While testing my first custom attempt, It sounded a bit loud and distorted in game. I have reduced the volume settings for all tracks within Magma

 

And there’s your problem. All tracks need to be mute, except for the backing. This does not only give you a correct volume, but gets rid of any issue pertaining to drum fills and whammy bar usage and reduces the size of your CON file.

[djmike534]

Thanks Farottone. So are you saying that in Reaper I need all tracks muted before exporting is that correct? Please confirm. And in magma only the backing has the mp3 and the instrument tracks are what, those “Stereo44” files? I thought that they were already showing under default in magma to show what KIND of file went there, like a placeholder. Beyond my error in Magma there still has to be a preferred volume tho, even if only for the backing track. Most peoples mp3 collections that I’ve seen are of mixed volumes between 80-120db and are a meta nightmare (I’m a little more OCD than that). If customs are being made without concern for volume then wouldn’t we start seeing major volume differences in our RB library?

[Nyxyxylyth]

So are you saying that in Reaper I need all tracks muted before exporting is that correct?

Export generates the MIDI. Rendering generates the backing wav.

 

Beyond my error in Magma there still has to be a preferred volume tho, even if only for the backing track. Most peoples mp3 collections that I’ve seen are of mixed volumes between 80-120db and are a meta nightmare (I’m a little more OCD than that). If customs are being made without concern for volume then wouldn’t we start seeing major volume differences in our RB library?

Tweak the volume of the song until the maximum level during render is 0 dB. REAPER’s volume levels are in terms of dBFS (0 dB = full scale).

[Farottone]

Tweak the volume of the song until the maximum level during render is 0 dB. REAPER’s volume levels are in terms of dBFS (0 dB = full scale).

 

I will add that some songs need some normalization, otherwise the spikes in an instrument like drums will just force you to use a lower volume to comply with the 0 dB threshold. Either that or a good compressor.

[djmike534]

Thanks Nyx. Actually I meant consolidate/export the mp3. Render is different option that I have yet to look at but don’t appear to need for customs (I think). I didn’t get an anwer tho. When you say all tracks have to be muted, are you referring to in Reaper mute all tracks or in Magma I have to use blank dummy wav files for all instrument tracks? Starting to think you mean the latter but want to be clear.

to Far:

You understand what I mean about no mp3 volume guidelines. I’ve been using mp3gain forever. Is there a volume that you find acceptable? Also if you are familiar with Audacity, I can’t find where I can look at a wav files current volume. The normalize option only asks how much quieter you want to go, not where it currently is.

I don’t want to have to learn yet another program just to do one thing one time, lol.

[Nyxyxylyth]

Actually I meant consolidate/export the mp3. Render is different option that I have yet to look at but don’t appear to need for customs (I think). I didn’t get an anwer tho. When you say all tracks have to be muted, are you referring to in Reaper mute all tracks or in Magma I have to use blank dummy wav files for all instrument tracks? Starting to think you mean the latter but want to be clear.

In REAPER, you use Render to save your project audio to the backing wav file. Only the song audio and count-in should be unmuted. When you use Render, the resulting dialog box shows you the peak level. If it’s not 0.0, adjust the master volume slider until the result is 0.0 dB. For example, if Render shows you -1.3 dB, right-click on the master volume slider and enter 1.3 dB. Render again and it’ll be 0.0 dB.

 

In Magma, all instrument tracks should have blank wav files. Only the backing track gets the song wav file.

[djmike534]

Thanks so much. Think I’m on to the final testing phase.

 

May I ask where I can go to look into uploading my customs to the group for peer review? Never done such a thing before but cheap is key!

[Dash Riprock]

In REAPER, you use Render to save your project audio to the backing wav file. Only the song audio and count-in should be unmuted. When you use Render, the resulting dialog box shows you the peak level. If it’s not 0.0, adjust the master volume slider until the result is 0.0 dB. For example, if Render shows you -1.3 dB, right-click on the master volume slider and enter 1.3 dB. Render again and it’ll be 0.0 dB.

Thank you so much for this procedural nugget. It has been added to my SOP. ” src=”/wp-content/uploads/invision_emoticons/default_SA_smile.gif” />

[Nyxyxylyth]

Thanks so much. Think I’m on to the final testing phase.

May I ask where I can go to look into uploading my customs to the group for peer review? Never done such a thing before but cheap is key!

viewforum.php?f=23

Custom Chart WIPs

In the middle of working on a song? Looking for feedback/help from the community at large, or just looking to tell people what you’re ACTIVELY working on? This is the place to post your tracks and other fun information. Please note that this forum is to discuss SPECIFIC tracks being worked on (and no lists of songs in your queue, please) — general help requests should go in Authoring Support.

[djmike534]

Just created my con file for final (?) testing.

I have to ask, if the countin/audio track rendering is for backing, the dry vox is there and everything else is to be a blank wav file…

Then what is the “01-SONG AUDIO-consolidated-150123_1223” for ???

This was my incorrectly-placed main audio I made with the “consolidate/export” option I was referring to earlier.

Is this just a different version of the same thing as render or is render another process altogether?

The long file name above came from watching the authoring video you guys put up. Which is the right way?

[djmike534]

@ Nyx: I was actually looking into what website is recommended for uploading customs that I can link to my WIP post I will be posting immediately after final tests this weekend, depending on any more tweaks.

I have never uploaded anything and am not looking to spend too much on some sort of monthly rate to make my work available to the group. If anyone can recommend where I should look. A site in the States to keep it local, I guess.

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[Farottone]

Mediafire. Ignore your consolidated tracks, they serve no purpose.

[djmike534]

OK thanks, Far. Instructional video should be updated, that caused some confusion. Now that I am using the correct audio files correctly, my custom sounds amazing in-game w/o having to mess with volumes anywhere.

I am ready for you guys to pick it apart, lol. Then a final tweak and I’ll submit to C3 to see where I’m at with their criteria.

Keep a lookout for my new thread.

[Author]

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