DJ Mix Workflow Help

[KD]

I'm making DJ Mixes using Ableton Live 5.2.2 on running on my Windows 7 laptop.

I was just looking for any comments on my workflow, because I think I can hear distortion/clipping in the final mix, but as far as I know, nothing is running hot anywhere in the chain.

The mix is created and rendered in Ableton and then the whole mix is post-processed in Platinum Notes 3.0.

(I dont use Platinum Notes to pre-process tracks before loading into Ableton because it messes with the tempo of the tracks which makes them more difficult to warp.)

For those of you new to Platinum Notes, it uses licenced technology from Izotpe Ozone's Loudness Maximizer in Intelligent Mode. This is designed for transparent limiting reacting quickly to transients (to prevent pumping) and more slowly to steady bass tones (to prevent distortion).

Anyway, here are my settings in Ableton and Platinum Notes - your thoughts would be appreciated.

Audio Track Set Up

EQ Three

Sonalksis FreeG Post Fader Level set between -8dB and -10dB depending on the track "volume".

Mixer Track Volume: 0dB

Master Track Setup

Sonalksis FreeG Post Fader Level set to 0dB

Mixer Track Volume: 0dB

Ableton Render To Disk Settings

Normalize: Off
File Type: Wav
Bit Depth: 24
Sample Rate: 44100
Create Analysis File: Off
Convert To Mono: Off

Post-Process in Platinum Notes 3.0

Analyze the volume of the file above the minimum threshold of -36 dB

Set output volume to -12.5 dB
Margin to prevent clipping: -0.5 dB
Limit character: 10

Clipped Peak Repair is turned off.
Pitch Correction is turned off.
Multiband Expansion and Compression is turned off.

[Tarekith]

I'd bet money it's platinum notes causing the issue. Easy to test, try listening to the file without that processing, do you hear clipping? I did a review of Platinum Notes for the AbletonLiveDJ.com site awhile back (and MIK's request), and I was MOST unimpressed with the sound quality of that app. Best avoided IMVHO.

http://www.abletonlivedj.com/forum/view ... s&start=60

[KD]

Assuming Platinum Notes is the problem, the I guess its easy to fix - stop using it!

Does anyone know if Izotpe Ozone's Loudness Maximizer suffers from the same problems then seeing as Platinum Notes licencse this tech to do the maximising? No point in buying that if it doesnt improve my situation.

With regards to the rest of my workflow, is a -10dB to -8dB cut enough for mixing pre-recorded music to keep the levels from clipping, but still keep a strong signal?

And, what other products are there for mastering a DJ mix? I need something to level out the differences between tracks as I find matching levels by ear both tiresome and difficult to do. I want to get them nearly there then run the mix through a post-processor to even it out and give it that "CD" punch.

[Tarekith]

Using a limiter to even out the volume because you find doing it by ear 'tiresome' is the wrong way to do it. Man up, learn a new skill, it's not THAT hard. Worse comes to worse, use a good RMS meter to set all the clip volumes to the same amount ahead of time:

http://tarekith.com/assets/DigitalLevels.html

There should be no need to master a DJ, those tracks have already been mastered as much as possible.

[KD]

I guess what I meant to say when I said I find matching levels tiresome, was that I end up going through multiple iterations trying to get the levels perfect because you can revisit you mix again and again and again. I dont think I've ever done a full-length mix where I am 100% happy with all the levels when done by ear.

Your article is on digital audio levels is really good though. I'd already started used Sonalksis FreeG to try and get the tracks playing at the same RMS so I'll revisit this with the suggestions in your article.

You can here 2 examples of my mixes using my current approach here - comments welcome:

http://soundcloud.com/kevindobie

The 15 min mix sounds better than the 80 min one in terms of levels to me, and both have been through Platinum Notes post-render. The 80 min one is where I think you can hear the most changes in the sound from the original tracks - Paul Keeley's Doormatica being a prime example.

I do think some kind of maximising post-processing on a DJ mix does help get that commercial sound though - otherwise your homebrew mixes sound quiter than those bought and released commercially.