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Lowering the master level to avoid clipping...

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 4:49 pm
by digimixa
Hi,

Even though I try not to, I always end up with my master level going into the red. I'd like to know if lowering the master volume level before exporting as a 32bit WAV for mastering has any impact on sound quality (compared to a 32bit WAV file that was exported at default master volume level without clipping)

Thanks :D

Re: Lowering the master level to avoid clipping...

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 4:53 pm
by cotdagoo
lower your other channels.. leave the master alone..

Re: Lowering the master level to avoid clipping...

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:14 pm
by ethios4
I'm no expert on this, but I don't think you would get a noticeable loss of quality. The dynamic range of 32-bit is over 200 dB if I remember, so lowering the master a few dB is not going to make any relevant difference.

Re: Lowering the master level to avoid clipping...

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 6:12 pm
by Superchibisan
ther is no loss in quality.

i asked this same exact question not to long ago.

but if you keep having to lower your master fader, that means you're not mixing properly. give yourself headroom. i never get over -3db anymore. i like my music to be dynamic and not just sitting at 0. just turn up the volume on your monitors vs inside the daw.

Re: Lowering the master level to avoid clipping...

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 7:02 pm
by ethios4
It REALLY helps me when mixing if I commit to pegging the kick at -4 to -6 dB. If I mix everything else to that kick I rarely go over 0, and when I do the mastering limiter takes care of it.

Re: Lowering the master level to avoid clipping...

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 7:07 pm
by Tone Deft
running the master low and the tracks hot is a lesson everyone learns eventually.

hitting alt and any peak readout to rest them all is a great tip to know.

Re: Lowering the master level to avoid clipping...

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 7:34 pm
by ethios4
Tone Deft wrote:hitting alt and any peak readout to rest them all is a great tip to know.
Man you are full of handy tips! I gotta read the manual again sometime!

Re: Lowering the master level to avoid clipping...

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 10:13 pm
by digimixa
Thanks everyone for the advice. I think my main problem is that my monitor level is set quite low which I hadn't thought about before. Thanks again. :)

Re: Lowering the master level to avoid clipping...

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 10:40 pm
by djsynchro
1: On an analogue desk, there is attenuation on the mixbus to prevent it from overloading, but in digital systems they have made it so that one track hits 0db on a fader it will still be 0db on the mixbuss too.

2: It's better to have your fader around 0db because of the audio taper (curve) of the fader this is true for both analogue and digital desks. The highest resolution is at the top.

So pull the master fader down or insert a Utility - that's what it's for.
If your faders are way at the bottom use a Utility (some plug-ins have volume controls you can also use that)
to lower the volume so you can have the fader higher.

I promise you won't get hiss or hum!

Re: Lowering the master level to avoid clipping...

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:12 am
by boomtchik
compressor to avoid clipping...

Re: Lowering the master level to avoid clipping...

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 11:59 am
by WaveRider
digimixa wrote:Hi,

Even though I try not to, I always end up with my master level going into the red. I'd like to know if lowering the master volume level before exporting as a 32bit WAV for mastering has any impact on sound quality (compared to a 32bit WAV file that was exported at default master volume level without clipping)

Thanks :D

just put a limiter on the master bus!!!!

Re: Lowering the master level to avoid clipping...

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:01 pm
by WaveRider
cotdagoo wrote:lower your other channels.. leave the master alone..
put an utility on the master channel

Re: Lowering the master level to avoid clipping...

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:09 pm
by josephjobling
WaveRider wrote:
digimixa wrote:Hi,

Even though I try not to, I always end up with my master level going into the red. I'd like to know if lowering the master volume level before exporting as a 32bit WAV for mastering has any impact on sound quality (compared to a 32bit WAV file that was exported at default master volume level without clipping)

Thanks :D

just put a limiter on the master bus!!!!
IMO be Careful when putting a limiter on your master - it can give you the inpression that clipping your audio tracks is ok as the master is not clipping. all digital clipping is bad and limiters when over used can ditstort the sound. as other people have said just turn down your audio channels.
Nothing can compensate for a good mix.

Re: Lowering the master level to avoid clipping...

Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:55 am
by Kevin Rothi
Compression, limiting, and getting the levels right on a track by track basis are the key to good mixing. Don't rely on one thing to avoid clipping; it's a methodology.

Re: Lowering the master level to avoid clipping...

Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:08 am
by Cool Character
I have a couple of questions:

If a track goes in the red, but the master isn't, will there be clipping?
How about if the Db meters are red in a device, but not in the track?