Make songs sound decent on computer speakers?

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amaler87
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Make songs sound decent on computer speakers?

Post by amaler87 » Wed Apr 27, 2011 3:57 am

Hey everybody, this is my first post. I just got into making dubstep and after a few attempts finally have a song I like and might make public (friends). Anyway I know that dubstep sounds awful without killer speakers, but the song I have made looses what sounds like half of the sounds when played on just laptop speakers. I can listen to other dubstep songs on my laptop bearably but not mine. I dont know a whole lot but could someone give me some advice on how to make the song sound a bit better on anything other than good speakers? If I put it up on fb or something not all my friends are gonna have great sound systems and I dont want them giving me a wtf? Any help appreciated, cheers.

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jrisreal
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Re: Make songs sound decent on computer speakers?

Post by jrisreal » Wed Apr 27, 2011 3:58 am

example?
...in my opinion
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Radiant
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Re: Make songs sound decent on computer speakers?

Post by Radiant » Wed Apr 27, 2011 4:01 am

Maybe you're mixing down at a volume level that's too high. That being said, I think you're better off learning the fundamentals of mixing down your tracks and learning how to make everything sound crisp and clear, learning how to use EQ's and compression to keep control over your sound.
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Hoborg
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Re: Make songs sound decent on computer speakers?

Post by Hoborg » Wed Apr 27, 2011 4:11 am

laptop speakers can't reproduce frequencies below a certain level, a lot of aggressive "filth" style tracks can still sound great on laptop speakers because the bass has a lot of midrange and high frequencies in it. I'm guessing you have a sub bass that is only present below a certain frequency, and you're losing it on any system that can't reproduce those low frequencies. the key to getting a mix that will sound great on any system is just utilizing the whole frequency spectrum. slap some sort of EQ visualizer on your master out and you'll be able to see the frequency distribution of your tune, if you can get a more even mix going then I find that the track usually benefits from that.

also, I'm hesitant to admit this, but sometimes I turn off my monitors and adjust levels while listening on my macbook speakers. I find that since the monitors sound TOO good I can sometimes have a certain element too loud or quiet, so it's good to hear it through tinny speakers. I find that when I switch back to the monitors, I'm usually happy with the edits I've made.

not sure if any of this helps you out, but I hope at least some of it does. cheers

amaler87
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Re: Make songs sound decent on computer speakers?

Post by amaler87 » Wed Apr 27, 2011 8:43 pm

Thanks everyone! I suspected some of it had to do with the speakers abilities but I wanted to check in. Im getting it to work a little better by balancing out the EQ or at least thats what I think Im doing. Im sure ill be back with more questions at some point.

@radiant: sick track man, thats one of the better ones ive heard around for sure.

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jrisreal
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Re: Make songs sound decent on computer speakers?

Post by jrisreal » Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:19 pm

amaler87 wrote:@radiant: sick track man, thats one of the better ones ive heard around for sure.
seconded
...in my opinion
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vertx
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Re: Make songs sound decent on computer speakers?

Post by vertx » Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:55 pm


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AnomiK
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Re: Make songs sound decent on computer speakers?

Post by AnomiK » Thu Apr 28, 2011 1:33 pm

i cant imagine producing very long without investing into some sort of speaker system.
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