Master Level
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Posted on Jun 04, 2008 09:10 am
mclir9
www.witchsmark.com
Member Since: Aug 13, 2006
Ok... I have my tracks recorded and all are averaged out at around -12db, however a few times within a song my Master clips out sometimes as high as +3.0. Does this mean I have to re-do the tracks now at a lower, say -18db or -20db or can I just throw a Limiter on the Master and be done with it?? Will this rob my overall sound doing this?? Again none of my tracks are clipping at all, just my Master. thanks.
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pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jun 04, 2008 11:53 am I'd say you have several options.
You can massage a few tracks, to get that area to top out under .03 or whatever.
You can certainly put a limiter on the master, that would do it. I normally put a limiter on things anyway, just to bring things together.
mclir9www.witchsmark.comMember
Since: Aug 13, 2006
Jun 04, 2008 12:03 pm Thanks for the info. I have another question just for educational purposes. Why wouldn't everyone just put a limiter on their Master and not even worry about what the individual tracks summing = too, as long as each track doesn't clip?? What are the advantages too the Master not clipping at all as opposed to placing a Limiter on it??
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jun 04, 2008 12:24 pm dynamics. having everything squished makes it 'breath' less, and seem all one volume.
Radio play is a good example, where every part is the same volume. Limiter is just a compressor, with a set out level. So using a limiter to keep clips out of your track, makes for a uni-volume piece.
That's why I shoot for the middle. I use a limiter that has an adjustable output, so I can squish some, but not much, then bring up the output level to get to -.3db, and it's works well.
I use Scott Stillwell's Event Horizon 2, that comes with reaper. It's nice sounding, non-pumping, easy-to-use limiter.
