Red Master Track Vu Meter

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yeahyeahwahwah
Posts: 23
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 7:33 pm
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA

Red Master Track Vu Meter

Post by yeahyeahwahwah » Thu Aug 12, 2010 5:58 pm

Sometimes the master track vu display turns red, even if the source track is still green and both tracks are at the same level and well below clipping. I happens mostly with distorted or resonant settings, but even when the levels are well below clipping. Red worries me. What the heck is happening?

Hermanus
Posts: 1659
Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:47 pm
Location: Belgium

Re: Red Master Track Vu Meter

Post by Hermanus » Thu Aug 12, 2010 6:18 pm

Set your levels down a bit on evey track and leave the master volume to 0db
Once you have done levels and the master track don't get to red anymore you can put a comp/limiter bundle on the master.

I've found a gentle and nice one in the ableton live presets.

Go to Audio Effects >> Audio Effect Rack >> Mastering >> Vintage Mastering 2
I always prefer to set levels BEFORE putting the effect rack on the master.

Well on the other hand I got some friends who use a lot the red :lol:
When I see their master volume it's always red... :twisted:
They got a powerful saturated sound

If I do the same, result is a wall of noise.

Hope it helps.

Tone Deft
Posts: 24152
Joined: Mon Oct 02, 2006 5:19 pm

Re: Red Master Track Vu Meter

Post by Tone Deft » Thu Aug 12, 2010 6:42 pm

the source tracks add up to overload the Master.

the tracks can go well into the red, just over 60dB of headroom into the red. the Master should NEVER go into the red, when it does the outputted audio is distorted. expand the track faders up by pulling on the bar above them to see more detailed metering info.
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yeahyeahwahwah
Posts: 23
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 7:33 pm
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA

Re: Red Master Track Vu Meter

Post by yeahyeahwahwah » Thu Aug 12, 2010 7:22 pm

More than one track?!? C'mon I'm not a power user. :D I'm mostly resampling noisy little loops from Mr. Alias 2. Heck I'm not even using Mr. Alias Pro.

I guess I'll keep the levels down a bit, 'cause I'm scared of red.

Thanks for the info!

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