Ableton Forum

I had a couple of questions about recording my DJ set live, in Live. I searched around and can't seem to get any definite answers.

First, if the songs that I am recording live are 16 bit, should I record in 24 bit, then normalize and dither (triangle?) to 16 bit. I've read that 24 bit would capture all the effects used when DJing. Or should I record in 16 bit and not dither when exporting.

Second, to avoid clipping I keep the faders at max -5.6 db. Should I use a limiter or compressor on my master so I can turn up the tracks' volume or is it better the way I am doing it because the tracks have already been compressed.

Third, any tips on how you would master a live DJ set. I've heard just some EQ and light compression should do the trick to get some more volume out of the recording.

I know it would be easier to just put together tracks in the arrangement view, but I like the personality of a hearing a live set.

Thanks for any suggestions,
phoggyjay

1) Yes

2) Not really. It'll sound yucky unless done very very lightly (limiting only occasional peaks). Use the EQs to balance.

3) This is the same as 2. You can compress the tracks if you want to. I'm just saying it sounds a bit ugly. But if it get's you gigs/money/laid your welcome to **** all over my nerdy forum advice. You may like that sound, and it may work for the style you're doing.

Here's something to consider if it's a radiomix then loudness really matters on small crappy speakers. If it's a club you're gonna loose a lot of the oomph out of the tracks.

I agree with 4.
You didn't mention what kind of music you play. If you play old (15+ years, sometimes even 10) with new, you may want to put a compressor/limiter on that track only for those songs, since new tracks sound so over compressed they're awful. Keep volumes low like you do, 24bit will help capture the resolution, & you can always maximize the volume to -0.5db in the mastering later.

Thanks for all the advice.