Dither Plugin

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cathode_ray
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Cathode_ray

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I want to add UV22 dither plugin when mixing 24bit to 16bit on output master - easy enough. But I want to fade the output as well.
Standard practice calls for dither "AFTER" all processing but the inserts are pre-fade.
Using SE-3.
 
I'm not sure about SE3, but the last effects slot on the master effects bus should be post-fader.
 
scrubs said:
I'm not sure about SE3, but the last effects slot on the master effects bus should be post-fader.
Click to expand...

Thanx. Can't find any documentation on pre/post slots or where/how to us VS22. I'l play 'round...
 
scrubs said:
I'm not sure about SE3, but the last effects slot on the master effects bus should be post-fader.
Click to expand...

Thanx. Can't find any documentation on pre/post slots or where/how to us VS22. I'l play 'round...
 
What I normally do is bounce the mix to a stereo file, open a new project, import the stereo file there then do the "mastering" type stuff on that, including fades and dither.
 
I totally expect to be shunned for this one, but it's already started and I've always been curious... Sorry for the hi-jack... :( :o

Dithering... What exactly is it's function. I have read things, but I do not completely understand I guess. I'm using SL3.0 (with the "updates") and I don't think I have ever used a dithering plug. I always export my songs (tracked at 24 bit) as a broadcast wave file, which is 16 bit. I have never used dithering on anything. My ears are most likely shot, but I never noticed any difference. What exactly is the point of dithering and why should it be done if it doesn't sound any different when exported at 16 bit?

Since this probably belongs in the newbie section feel free to drag me out into the street and open fire...:eek:
 
noisewreck said:
What I normally do is bounce the mix to a stereo file, open a new project, import the stereo file there then do the "mastering" type stuff on that, including fades and dither.
Click to expand...

Excellent Idea - why didn't I think of that? (no answer required!).
Thanx.

Re: next post asking 'bout dither - it's said you can hear the effects of bit truncation(24 to 16) in low-level passages as grit/distortion. Others say it results in digital graininess/listener fatigue. I can't say.... yet.
 
Dithering adds little white noise to smooth out artifacts in the sound from, as previously mentioned, bit truncation.

As for 'mastering'. I would say you're better of mixing down your mix to a stereo file, without the fades. Then open that up in (I guess) Cubase and put the fades on that.
One of the main reasons I found for this, was that if you putthe fades in a mix, then mix it down, and try to run the stereo file through a limiter, the limiter seems to fuck with the fades somewhat. Doesn't seem to fade in as smoothly. Or it's been like that for me in the past.
 
Pikingrin, I could have written your post word for word myself.. I also use Cubase SL3 with the updates etc etc.. and have thus far always tracked at 24/44.1 and then finally created a two track master of it all which I then normalise to 0db, then limit/compress/eq the master channel and finally send out as a 16/44.1 master wav file.

Now this dithering enters the equation and one has to wonder what it's benefits actually are... Also anybody.. why would Cubase actually have the option to master out at 24 bit (or even 32 bit), when CD's are only capable of 16 bit? Neither WinAmp nor Media Player can actually play back the 24 bit wav files, nor can Nero burn 24 bit wav files....
 
frankmachine said:
why would Cubase actually have the option to master out at 24 bit (or even 32 bit), when CD's are only capable of 16 bit? Neither WinAmp nor Media Player can actually play back the 24 bit wav files, nor can Nero burn 24 bit wav files....
Click to expand...

Most of my media players do play 24 bit files.

The main reason is for mastering. You don't want to reduce to 16 bits until after the song is mastered.
 
Great responses thanks a lot guys, quicker than the cubase forums i would say!

Ok so what we're saying here is "MASTER" as in the very final stage (stereo pair mixed down from multitracks) in Cubase should be still at 24/44.1 (as per the source multi tracks), but then when actually exporting the wav file out of Cubase (which i thought would be classed as the "MASTER") to be expecting to either play in Winamp or burn to CD using Nero, should be done down to 16 bit/44.1.? And with dithering?

And if yes to dithering then would the on board Cubase dithering cut it or should I be looking around for a Dithering VST to apply to my Cubase Master channel?? If the latter does anyone have any links to offer??

thanks a lot
frank
 
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