u/False_Can3724

Hi all! here is my issue described in detail.

Current Workflow:
Track A (Uncompressed Wav File, 1411.2kbps) - House Base Track
Track B (320kbps mp3 file) - Hindi/English Track - Vocal Track

• Source high-quality files
• Run through audiostrip.uk to separate stems - Export both files as uncompressed Wav even though track B is an mp3 file
• Import into Ableton with track A instrumentals and Track B Vocals in differnet channels
• Build the mashup (arrange vocal/instrumental combinations)

At this point without touching the channel volume or the channel utility gain the mashup is redlining heavy on the master channel.

• Add a Utility plugin on each channel, reduce gain by -2 to -3dB
• Reduce individual channel volumes further, to around -4 to -5dB, for headroom
• add a Low Cut Filter/High Pass Filter at 50Hz on the vocal channel
• Add a compressor on vocal channel (ableton default plugin) - on Peak Setting ->Lower Threshold with a quick attack, 2:1 ratio, and Auto Release till reducing -1 to -2db to catch peaks. increasing Output by 1db.
• Add Reverb, Delay or any other effects as needed by the mashup.
• On the master channel, add Ozone 12 - Auto Mastering Option - Custom Settings -All Purpose - Intensity Balanced - Loudness - 9db - Maximizer on - True Peak On - Output Level -1db
• Save file and export as Wav/AIFF file.

This is my entire generalized mashup making process. When I import my mashup into serato, the waveform looks smaller than the original track. (As shown in the image. left is my track, Right is original Track A). As you can see in the image the Serato's Auto Gain Adjust also increase my track's gain slightly compared to the original track. Furthermore, when I listen to my track in my care compared to the original, I need to play it at a slightly higher volume. Why is this happening? Someone told me that the reason my mashups dont sound as loud as regular tracks is because I am destroying the dynamics by double compressing the music files Cause the original tracks are already mastered.

Would appreciate any insight yall can provide. thank you!