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Utility not really working
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 5:30 pm
by boraxx
hey guys
i usually use the utility plugin to automate volume in arrangement (oldest trick in the book). but i've noticed recently that even with the GAIN setting all the way down, a bit of the track is seeping through.
im using live 7 (latest build) and dont know if this has always been so, or is a recent bug.
thanks
Re: Utility not really working
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 5:34 pm
by hoffman2k
Its always been so. An alternative would be to use an Audio Effect Rack with an empty chain and automate the volume of that chain.
Re: Utility not really working
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 5:41 pm
by boraxx
i cant believe i never noticed.
thanks a lot
Re: Utility not really working
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 5:54 pm
by shuutobi
They should probably make the value variable, or at least match the dynamic range of the bit depth set in the export options. (24bit/144dB, 16bit/96dB, etc.)
+1 for variable I suppose; Anything but +/- 35dB...
Re: Utility not really working
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 7:32 pm
by friend_kami
+1
Re: Utility not really working
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 7:41 pm
by 3dot...
just use a rack.. or 2 utilities in a row...
Re: Utility not really working
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 7:57 pm
by Tweaking Knobs
is there a reason for this ???
so is it a half working plug in ? did they forgot to code something ?

Re: Utility not really working
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 8:57 pm
by outershpongolia
Tweaking Knobs wrote:is there a reason for this ???
so is it a half working plug in ? did they forgot to code something ?

it just doesn't go down to -inf AFAIK
Re: Utility not really working
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 10:16 pm
by shuutobi
Tweaking Knobs wrote:is there a reason for this ???
so is it a half working plug in ? did they forgot to code something ?

Probably "ByDesign," but really there are a lot of people, including myself, who like to use utility to do volume automation.
Unfortunately, its use was most likely intended to act as an input trim, among other things...
Re: Utility not really working
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 1:58 am
by oblique strategies
http://www.sonalksis.com/freeg.htm
Use Sonalkis FreeG instead. It's good & free

Re: Utility not really working
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 2:07 am
by luddy
my favorite way to do gain automation in Live is to insert an empty instrument rack and use the chain volume as gain. the reason I like this is that the volume scale (-inf to +6dB) is the same as for track faders, so you can copy the volume automation between tracks and this kind of fake gain plug willy-nilly.
The FreeG thing is nice-looking but IIRC you can't read the gain out of the automation, it is simply a scale like 0 ... 100% where 0dB is in the middle somewhere.
-Luddy
Re: Utility not really working
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 2:21 am
by shuutobi
luddy wrote:my favorite way to do gain automation in Live is to insert an empty instrument rack and use the chain volume as gain. the reason I like this is that the volume scale (-inf to +6dB) is the same as for track faders, so you can copy the volume automation between tracks and this kind of fake gain plug willy-nilly.
The FreeG thing is nice-looking but IIRC you can't read the gain out of the automation, it is simply a scale like 0 ... 100% where 0dB is in the middle somewhere.
-Luddy
Best work around.
Re: Utility not really working
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:36 am
by stockylocky
Ok I know I must be being silly.... but why arent you guys just using the volume of the track for automation???
Re: Utility not really working
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:48 am
by luddy
stockylocky wrote:Ok I know I must be being silly.... but why arent you guys just using the volume of the track for automation???
There's probably more than one reason folks do this, but a common one is that you want to be able to use the track faders to adjust overall balance between tracks, lower the gain of all tracks, etc., without having to highlight the entire automation curve and move it up and down. I.e., you can still work the mixer like an ordinary mixer.
-Luddy
Re: Utility not really working
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 11:26 am
by IP
hoffman2k wrote:Its always been so. An alternative would be to use an Audio Effect Rack with an empty chain and automate the volume of that chain.
+1
+you can create more chains / write different automations / test (solo or on/off)/ and choose the best one
or use it as an automation depository for later use in case you change your mind (handy if you make long and complex automation).
here is a small howto for noobs (warning... poor English)
http://jopsarados.blogspot.com/2010/09/ ... -free.html