Why can't I export a song in the same quality as in the DAW?

[Elektronikz]

I always notice that after I export a song in FL Studio, the program I use, that the song sounds much worse than it did in the program. Why is this, and is there a way to fix this?

[Attila]

Check your export settings

[Elektronikz]

I'm exporting as WAV, on Looping mode I have it set to Leave Remainder, bitrate is 320kbps, resampling set to 512-point sinc, dithering, alias free ts404, HQ for all plugins, disable max poly, are all selected.

Also master volume is down 2.0 dB

[illtabulous]

What is worse about the exported song? is it noisy, are the high frequencies dampened? more details more details. Or you could mess with the export settings for a bit and pinpoint the culprit that way too.

[NinjaEdit]

How are you listening back to the exported song? Through Windows Media Player or something that has an EQ and other effects? Also, your operating system needs to be set up to allow higher sample rates (than 44.1 or 48 kHz).

There was a video on "why does my shit sound worse outside of FL." I'll see if I can find it.

[Egan]

I've been wondering this myself. I've noticed that the lowest frequencies of my exported tracks are getting cut out, although it is a very minimal amount, it was enough for me to notice.
I've had a feeling that it has something to do with the sample rate, (but I don't actually know how sample rates work lol), but I've heard that exporting with a different sample rate than what most of the track was made with might cause problems.

[NinjaEdit]

I'm sure there's material online (like wikipedia), but the sample rate is how frequently the audio information updates.

I think MP3s chop off some of the highest and lowest frequencies of sound.

[Attila]

Yeah but a 320 wouldn't be chopping off anything noticeable. I usually just export with everything maxed out for my own conscience though. If there's still a problem after, it's either the mix or some box you have checked that you'll discover after 4 hours of hair pulling

[Elektronikz]

I've fixed it

[MaZa1]

So, how did u fix it?

[Monowan]

I would be interested too...it seems like my exports sound quieter/flatter (is that a word) than what I hear in the daw, and I tried pretty much everything. I have a m-audio fast track sound card, checked the sample rate etc. I'm not shooting for maximum loudness but I should't have to crank up the volume at all when listening to an export

[NinjaEdit]

How are you listening to it?

[Monowan]

Itunes, Foobar, Media Player

[NinjaEdit]

Are there any EQ or effects enabled in those programs? Also, check the playback sample rate in your sound options.

[Monowan]

No effects enabled, I don't notice any difference from one program to another. I have to listen to the export TWICE as loud as in my DAW, how is that possible ? Even if I do a shitty super loud self master that destroy my ears in fl, max volume on the export doesn't even come close. Sample rate is 41000, same as fl. I've been googling for hours without finding any answers and it's driving me nuts.

[MaZa1]

I dont know about the volume thing, but my mixes sound flatter when i export the track..

[NinjaEdit]

Is the tune as loud as other recordings?

[Monowan]

You mean mastered tunes ? No, but again I'm not trying to compete with professional tracks I just want it to sound as loud as in my daw. I think the problem might be related to FL bypassing the volume control of my computer and playing everything as loud as possible by default. The only way I can change the volume while in the daw is directly on my soundcard or by using the master channel slider (which I never do since I want it to accurately represent what happens in my mix). My mixdowns are clean, nothing clipping, peaking somewhere between - 6 and - 3, nothing on the master channel : sounds super quiet once exported even if I crank up the volume, nowhere near max volume in fl. If I make everything super loud, slap a limiter on the master, compress to the point it makes my head explode in fl, it'll still sound much quieter after export.

[Augment]

Have you checked your mixer? Like, maybe FL is at 100 volume, while the music player is at 70?

[Monowan]

Omg I "fixed" it. I'm gonna have a hard time explaining it without sounding stupid but it was all a matter of misperception between fl (does play at full volume by default when using fast-track), the output/mix knob on the soundcard and the windows volume settings. Basically, with all these factors combined, I now have a maximum volume of reference that I shall never ever touch again, and the hardware output knob is the only thing I use.