clipping problems @ mixdown

[timandjes]

When I mix down, my mixer program (software) often shows that I'm clipping. To reduce or almost eliminate the clipping, I lower the volume of the clipping tracks.... But, then my final product is much quieter than commercial CD's.

How can I solve the clipping problem w/out sacrificing the final volume?

 

[regebro]

Compression. Put the whole thing through a tree-band compressor or a mastering plugin will make it seem louder.

Loud is not always good however, so first you need to think about why you absolutely need to have it as loud as commercial tracks. I don't see any reason anyway.

 

[Dave Brown]

If you want to BOOST the volume of your mix, use a multiband mastering plugin or a mastering limiter, like regebro said.

A multiband compressor/limiter lets you tweak the EQ of the mix as well as boosting the volume, and it can give a commercial "radio" feel if that's what you want. Multiband tools can boost volume by 6dB or more, but as mentioned, don't do that unless you really need to. Mixes which have been given a "full-on multiband treatment" can be quite fatiguing to listen to. Also, if your mix is destined for radio, they will push it through a broadcast limiter, which will squash your mix even further and make it sound terrible.

A normal (wideband) brickwall limiter is the best choice if you just want to get rid of the clipping, or gently boost the mix by a few dB.

Place the limiter plugin at the end of the master effect chain in your software, then set the output level to -0.1dB and the release to about 50ms. This will get rid of the clipping without changing the overall volume of the mix.

(Why -0.1dB? Because some cheaper CD players distort at 0dB, so it's usual to turn the maximum level down a fraction. This only applies if you're burning to CD - mp3s can go up to 0dB without a problem).

Of course, we're assuming your software actually supports plugins! What software do you use?

Dave Brown
www.db-audioware.com

BTW, feel free to check out our own dB-L mastering limiter and dB-M multiband limiter plugins if you're interested.

 

[Sangram]

Dave's limiters are really good, you really should check those out.

Tinandjes uses n-track. I know because he's cross-posted in n-track forum, the soundcard forum and this forum as well. A little fatiguing.

It can use the plugins.

 

[doulos]

id say its best to leave room for mastering. Id let my tracks hit at -3 db and hope my mix falls about neg 2 db or keep mixing the master fader till it does Then after that id add my mastering seperate if its all computer based and you mix down to the highest bit rate and resolution say 48k or 96k then you should go farther id also asemble a mix master of all the tracks you have done and never master individually without knowing the order of your songs and the flow of the cd imho best advice i can give yeah good luck.