Comparing live and reference mixes

[AlanH]

Hi All,

I have a mixed stereo file which is almost there, but still needs a little tweaking. Big snag - I've lost the EDL. But as I still have the session multitrack sound files, all I have to do is recreate the mix and compare it.

Here's the problem. Although I can easily place my mixed "reference" file on the multitrack in sync with the session files, I can't do a single-key or single-click switch between listening to the reference file on its own, and listening to the new mix on its own.

It would seem obvious to use an intermediate output, but SAWStudio doesn't want to let me route through more than one output in series before a "real" output, in other words no sub-sub groups: every time I try this I get an error message about assigning signals to "invalid outputs".

OK I know this is a problem of my own making, but I suspect others may have been there too, so does anyone have a suggestion for a way forward?

Thanks!

[Pedro Itriago]

Why don't use the mute button on the track that you placed the mix wav file to hear the new mix and then the solo button on the mix wave file the hear mute the whole new mix?

Or, you can watch the new levelizer video and see how Bob A/B's between two mixes.

To sumarize, create a new mix file soloing the track with the previous mix and call it aaaaa; then create a new mix muting the old wave using the same aaaaa filename but instead of overwriting the file, append it. Open the aaaaa file in the soundfile view, that way you'll have the old and the new mix in the same file (aaaaa) and you'll be able to click anywhere between old and new and have fun comparing

[Seancom]

Alan,

You could also put your mixed sound file on another layer of the multi-track and easily A-B compare by switching between layers 1 and 2 during live playback.

It's the easiest way I have found to compare between mixes.

Eric

[Yura]

Hi All,
SAWStudio doesn't want to let me route through more than one output in series before a "real" output, in other words no sub-sub groups: every time I try this I get an error message about assigning signals to "invalid outputs".
Thanks!

Realy? the SAW's pathing structure can do all of kind...
why can't you do:
direct all tracks of your new set (exept of track with "reference")to aux 2 postfader each track. un-assign each track to no-one out (no-one button of out assnmnts is on).
direct your track where is old mix wav to aux 2. post fader. and un-assign that track too.
assign each of two aux channel to out 1. now you can switch "solo" on the
MT top-right area - and no problem to jumping listening btwn two auxes.

or even more easyer:
assgn your all tracks of new set to out track 1.
assign out track 1 to out dev 01.
then, assign track with your "reference" to out track 2. assign out track 2 to
out dev 01 too!
witch "solo" on the MT top-right area - and jump listening btwn two output tracks live.

[AlanH]

Boy, you guys are quick!

OK, thanks for the feedback.

Pedro, thanks - have just watched Bob's Levelizer video. That's a great comparison technique for pre-built files, but I'm looking to switch between an active mix session and the reference file, so that I can continue to tweak while switching, and all in sync.

Eric - Had thought of using the layers facility, but the same applies I think - the trick is to toggle mix off and reference on and vice versa with one action. Will give this scheme more thought.

Yura - I think your suggestion may be the answer to my particular problem - using the aux buses and returns instead of output tracks. Will experiment with that tomorrow - it's getting a little late here now.

I'd still be interested in the definitive explanation of why output channels can only be cascaded to one level. Maybe Bob is concerned about cumulative delays or something.

Anyway, many thanks to all! There's certainly a way forward in your responses.

Alan

[Yura]

I forgot to say,
you even can do it with layers switching miracle. but...
switch them with Ctrl+1, Ctrl+2, instead of 1, 2...
if your new tracks are on first layers of all tracks, put your "reference"
somwhere on the track but on layer #2.
I had not that experience to switch so many layers at once (you have manyof them?), but I guess all'd be OK.

[Bob L]

There really is no direct way to switch between a full MT mix and a single track mixdown reference without at least two clicks, that I can think of.

You can select all the MT mix tracks in the Full Mixer View and then a simple click on any of those mutes will mute the entire live MT Mix.. then a single click on the mute of the reference file (which was already muted) will allow you to hear that track alone.

Or the same idea with the solo button... all selected channels solo with one button, and you must un-solo the reference track.

If you want everything to happen seamlessly at the same moment, then try using the automation...

Place your reference file on a track... select all channels of the MT mix in the Full Mixer.

Set up Mute switch points down the timeline.... for instance start at the front of the session, in Automation Mode, press the reference Mute switch... then go down the timeline 10 secs or so and press the mute switch again and at the same cursor position press one of the mute switches for the MT mix... it will write in a mute for every seleceted track... do this down the timeline wherever you want to compare, toggling mutes between the MT mix and the reference track... Playback, and sit back and listen to a perfect seamless switching between the MT mix and the Reference mix.

Bob L

[AudioAstronomer]

I do this often. I am not sure why you cannot do this (I had trouble understanding your post).

I simply send the project to output 1. Set output 1 to ASIO 1+2 of my device.

The reference mix is placed on say track 24/36/72 (whichever your version is), and output to output 2. Output 2 is routed as well to ASIO 1+2.

Then I simply goto the output section, turn on solo hotrack feature. Just use the up and down arrows to change between the 2.

Can you explain why this is not an elegant solution for you? Perhaps I can make addendum to my idea that works better for you.

[Bob L]

Robert,

When out 2 is routed back to out 1, then when out 1 is soloed, you are still hearing the feed from out 2 because it is part of the out 1 data stream.

With this method, I still believe you have to solo out 1 and mute out 2 to stop the feed thru of the reference mix.

If you route the outs to different devices and monitor them thru an external mixer, then when you solo out 1, out 2 is blocked because it is a unique data stream.

I tried this with my Hammerfal DSP and the TotalMix app of the Hammerfall handles the external mixing of the different devices... then, the hot track solo idea works.

Bob L

[AudioAstronomer]

I simply route the 2 outputs to the same device and it works fine?

Let me test, perhaps I describe my method wrong....