Natural Volume & Distance Dependent Scaling

[Pixelpoet1985]

[ EDIT: Maybe the question was not clear. ;) ]

Natural Volume is one of my favourite features. But I'm wondering how it interacts with Distance Dependent Scaling.

If Distance Dependent Scaling is turned on, more distant instruments sound (a bit) quieter. Is this taken into consideration when using Natural Volume?

[Dietz]

In reality, the actual perceived loudness will depend on the distance between source and listener. MIR Pro tries to mimic this natural phenomenon by means of two features, namely "Distance Dependent Scaling" and "Simulate Air Absorption". Both of them affect the dry signal component only (... as the headline "DRY SIGNAL SETTINGS" in MIR's GUI implies :-) ...), but of course they will change the overall volume of the instrument in a mix.

Natural Volume is meant to be used as a starting point for a "healthy balance" within the virtual orchestra. If you're unsure about it you can always switch off both features, but then you will have do all the distance-dependent dry/wet balancing manually. .... I tend to call this the "pop mix mode", because it makes it easier to keep things under control when realism is _not_ what I'm after. ;-)

HTH,

[Pixelpoet1985]

Thanks, Dietz. But I'm still unsure. ;)

Of course, I want both features switched on. 

• Do you mean that the Natural Volume settings are "correct" in the "pop mix mode" and I always have to manually adjust the levels when switching the features on?
• Or are the settings "correct" when both features are switched on? If the settings are referenced to a real orchestra, then I think these values should take distance and air absorption into consideration, shouldn't they?

[Dietz]

What I was trying to say is that there is no "correct" value. :-) Natural Volume is a starting point for your own settings - no more, no less. The meaningful combination of features depends on your taste and your habits:

• If you think that Natural Volume gives you the balances you want to rely on, then you have to switch off Distance Dependent Scaling - but then you will have to take care manually for the Wet/Dry ratios of instruments in the back of the stage.

• If you like the way MIR Pro takes care for the impression of depth all by itself it might happen that you have to adjust individual volumes here and there, even when starting from Natural Volume settings.

... IOW: We can't have both. :-)

HTH,

[Pixelpoet1985]

Thanks, Dietz. That's it.

What about the instruments in the SYNCHRON-ized libraries? They all are volume balanced. Are these approximately the same settings? Or are these "closer to the real thing"? 

I'm asking, because I only use the Synchron Stage venue recently.