Newbie question: How do i get the best sound quality when bouncing?

[Josp]

I use Pro Tools 9 with Mbox Pro 3 and I have created songs at 48 kHz with 24 bit depth and bounced them at 320 kbit MP3 format.

It is not the same clarity of sound quality as it normally should be if I compare my songs with other artists, or when I listen to the song in Pro Tools before bouncing. The sound quality is ALMOST there but not quite fully!

Is this because i bounce the songs to MP3? Is 48kHz the correct settings?

In Pro Tools, it sounds perfect but after the bounce and I listen to the track in iTunes, it sounds not the same as it does in Pro Tools.
It sounds almost as if i listen to the track inside a can if you know what i mean.

Should I use 88kHz? Or bounce to wma format instead?


In total, these are my settings when I did the song:

48kHz,

24 bit depth,

wma format.

Something I should change?

Please help me!!

[plastikman]

Originally Posted by Josp

bounced them at 320 kbit MP3 format.

This is your problem right here. You should not bounce to MP3, which is a compressed format and won't sound the same as it will in Pro Tools. You should bounce to the same format as what your session is, 24/48 in this case, and use either WAV or AIF, whichever your session format is. Compare that bounce to the mix in PT and it should be the same, sonically. Playing back mixes in iTunes will likely always sound different. You'd be better off bringing the bounced mix back into the session and comparing it there. Then, if you have to have an mp3 version, create it from your bounce.

[Josp]

Thanks for the reply!

I tried to bounce it to wav and it sounded exactly the same as the mp3-format did.

I didnt get that same rich sound as i get in PT even if i bounced it correctly with wav with the same settings.

I used Mono (summed) when bouncing, is that the problem?
I also used "convert after bounce" which i believe is the proper setting?

[plastikman]

Originally Posted by Josp

I used Mono (summed) when bouncing

Yes, this will definitely have an effect as well, unless every track in your mix is mono and panned center. Try bouncing to Interleaved, which is stereo, and see what your results are. Convert after bounce is fine.

[Josp]

I tried interleaved and it sounds great now! Many thanks for your help mate!

It's almost a little bit too much clarity for that rich sound i am after but i suppose it's because i am using 48kHz, maybe i should use 44.1kHz instead for the exact same and rich sound i have in PT?

Anyways, i am very glad for your help!!

[plastikman]

No prob!

How did you listen back to your bounce this time? Seems the bounce should still have the same sound as it did playing back in PT, being that it's at the same bit depth/sample rate as the session.

[Josp]

I listened through iTunes quickly just to see the difference between the older tracks i (shamefully) bounced with summed mono, and it was a great difference between them!

Another newbie-question: How do i open the WAV in PT?

[plastikman]

You could either use the Import Audio command (in File menu), or drag and drop from a browser into the session. You could also audition it through Pro Tools Workspace browser. One thing to be aware of in iTunes.... make sure you don't have any eq settings going on that could effect the sound of the bounce.

[Josp]

God dammit, i must be high.. The EQ was on in iTunes and that made my bounce sound different. I have turned it off and i have been listening with both iTunes and PT and i have to say the bounce sounds 100% as it does in PT.

I am very thankful for all the help!

[dubpimpjuice]

Originally Posted by Josp

I tried interleaved and it sounds great now! Many thanks for your help mate!

It's almost a little bit too much clarity for that rich sound i am after but i suppose it's because i am using 48kHz, maybe i should use 44.1kHz instead for the exact same and rich sound i have in PT?

Anyways, i am very glad for your help!!

Sounds like you've made some great adjustments in the right direction!
I will say that if you are going for a "rich" sound, going 44.1 will not help you... Reducing the "accuracy" of the samplerate in digital audio will not yield the same results as in the analog world (recording to 2" 24trk vs 1" 8trk for example, where the less tracks on the tape the better, or running at 15ips rather than 30ips, where the lower speed will give you more bottom, but less defined highs and more noise)

That being said, one of the reasons the old samplers from the 80's are so sought after is because of the low sample rate the units had, and the "crunch" it lended to drums etc... I guess it depends on your style.

Good Luck!