I received a question from Flash at Flashpoint Studios today regarding the differences between adjusting levels in Nuendo. In one way is to use the objects in the arrangement window and raise and lower them there... the other is to use the mixer and raise and lower the levels in the mixer.

Here is the difference:

If you raise/lower the level in the arrangement window (i.e. the objects) you are increasing/decreasing the level BEFORE it hits the mixer and the plugins. The advantage of doing this is that you can smooth out the levels before they hit a compressor... in effect making the compressor not work so hard and also making it less likely to hear the compressor work. If you are wanting to NOT hear a compressor work, then this is the best choice.

If you raise/lower the level in the mixer, you are changing the levels AFTER the plugins. The advantage of doing this is that you can keep the effect of a compressor working but adjust the level of the sound lower/higher while keeping the compressor effect. IF you are WANTING to hear the compressor work, then this is the best choice.

FWIW I always adjust levels in the arrangement window for constant level... then I use the mixer as a simple overall level control. I NEVER use automation. I never want to hear a compressor work... but this is just me.

This makes my projects sound like I didn't use plugins... but it takes a lot of time to hand tweak all of the tracks... sometimes a week for a project just to do levels. The end effect is worth it however (as long as the client has the budget to pay me for my time to do this I do it).

< Prev		Next >