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  • Dynamic Range Expansion

    I've recorded a project and now want to expand the dynamic range so that the quietest moments remain as they are but the range up to loudest moment is stretched.

    How do I do that? I don't have a sequencer programme. Can I do it in audacity? And if I can could someone tell me how?

    Cheers


  • MIDI or audio?


    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • Audio!


  • Individual tracks, or a complete mix?


    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • Complete mix!


  • If you want my honest opinion: Do it manually, by means of volume automation.

    Of course there are dynamic processors called "expanders", and in _principle_ they should be able to do what you're after - but believe me: This won't work with a complex signal like a full music mix, at least not in a musically meaningful way.

    Sorry for the bad news .... :-/


    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • Can you explain what volume automation means. Can I do that in a Sibelius/VEPro environment?

    Perhaps I'm doing something wrong when creating the performance and/or recording it in Audacity. The performance with Sibelius/VEPro5 has the loudest moment causing the master level to go well into the red although I can't hear any distortion. But when I record the performance in Audacity the dynamic range is very narrow and whilst I can"amplify" the audio in audacity the quiet moments sound too loud.

    In your reponse please assume I am a complete novice and you may need to explain even the mosy simple mixing concepts to me[:$]


  • Hmmmmm .... I'm not very familiar with Sibelius, and I haven't worked with Audacity, sorry to say so.

    The idea is to record the mix with a level that leaves some headroom. Then you would use some kind of "envelope" or volume automation to sculpt the level according to your taste.

    ... maybe some fellow forum member with first-hand experience regarding the applications you use can jump in ....?

    Kind regards,


    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • Sorry Dave, I could have given you a reply for Cubase, but I have never recorded automation (volume or any other) in Audacity...


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    @civilization 3 said:

    http://audacity.wonderhowto.com/how-to/automate-volume-audio-track-with-audacity-envelope-tool-243804/

    This seems to be exactly what the doctor ordered (assuming that one can rehearse the achieved effect in real-time).


    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
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    Hi Dave,

     

    @Another User said:

    But when I record the performance in Audacity the dynamic range is very narrow...

      Exporting audio from Sibelius is just a click away (the CD icon in the tool bar) if you're using VE-Pro as a VST plug-in (you don't really need Audacity for this). If you're using the standalone version of VE-Pro and virtual MIDI cables, as I am doing, then you need Audacity (or any other audio recording software). I use Reaper for this, but I used Audacity for other purposes in the past, and the problem you talk about could be just a matter of adjusting the playback and recording levels (stereo mix) in the windows mixer. If this is not the problem, I'm afraid I have no idea about what might be causing the difference in the dynamic levels inside Sibelius and Audacity.

      I hope this helps.