wave form size differences

[b1j]

In the main tracking screen in Studio One, I can see all the tracks and the waveforms in them. I haven't Normalized any tracks; I recorded them all at the same preamp gain and mic distance, and the five tracks are close to each other in volume.

However, some waveforms are quite large, peak to peak, while others barely register as waveforms at all. I can't see them to edit unless I enlarge the wave heights.

Why is that?

Screenshot 2024-04-22 at 1.26.03 AM.jpg

[Bob Womack]

The width of deflection past the center line reflects the loudness of the recording. Quieter material deflects less.

Bob

[KevWind]

As Bob noted. The waveform is the graphical representation of the sound. It measures amplitude (how loud) vertically and wavelength (how long) horizontally.
Yes often the case that one needs to zoom in horizontally and I assume most DAWs offer the feature to also increase the hight of the waveform view.

You will want to talk to the mastering engineer before doing any normalizing

[Rudy4]

You wrote "...and the five tracks are close to each other in volume."

If you solo track 1 and track 3 in those areas where waveform height is obviously different in amplitude they sound the same in volume?

That could happen is if you adjust the track gains prior to listening. If you've applied a plug in on the track you might be applying gain in some form to the lower level track, too.

If your default track levels are at 0db then you should most definitely hear a large difference in volume between those two track sections.

Do chase down the reason that they seem to be "close to each other", it will no doubt increase your understanding of how gain structure works in your particular DAW.

[dnf777]

I think the answer lays outside of simple volume/amplitude differences, as Rudy4 suggested. (I think).

Did you record with a taller window on track 1, then shrink it down after tracking?

[Chipotle]

Notice that tracks 1 & 2 are stereo, so each track is divided in half vertically to show both right and left waveforms--so that there is half as much height to display the waveform, so they look "smaller".

In tracks 3, 4 & 5, it's pretty clear that the first half of the song was played much more quietly than the second half, and the waveform follows by being "small" at the start and increasing in size/volume later.

The waveform in the DAW is just a visual representation, and tbh you don't need to worry much about it. If you need to see the waveform better (for example, to line up tracks when editing), your DAW should have a command to enlarge the visual representation without affecting the audio at all. But as long as your tracks were recorded at a decent level to begin with, the visual size in the DAW isn't important. Normalizing tracks isn't a tool I use much any more; if I actually need more gain on the track, I use a gain plugin.

[b1j]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

The width of deflection past the center line reflects the loudness of the recording. Quieter material deflects less.

Bob

That’s what I thought, but the yellow track at the top is probably the loudest of the five. It does have its own compressor on it, but if I remove the compressor, the waveform doesn’t get any larger.

[b1j]

I’ll add this to the questions I want to ask the mastering engineer, although he’ll be working in Pro Tools off the wav. file of my entire mix. But I’m going to be taking notes, and I’ll have my laptop open, so I can show it to him.

[b1j]

As Kev and Chipotle noted, there’s a little slider to raise the visual height for close inspection. I used it extensively in the editing and mixing. I used my ears for balancing, not the wave heights.

BTW, what I’ve read has sworn me off using normalization. My levels have tons of headroom, and are about the same on all the tracks.