did a 'buses summed to one output' level test.

[mixsit]

We were wondering about combining bus outs, level and clipping and such in the other post, so just to find out for sure...

Recorded 2 tracks of 200hz sine wave at -2 db.
Assigned each to a separate v-main, both v-mains to the same out, spdif s1/2 to the Waves L2.
With one bus on (bus set at zero), all meters (track, bus and L2 box), line up at exactly -2.
With both buses on, all show O/L.
Set both v-mains at -4.4 db, L2 meter shows -.5db, all ACKUS just under zero.
Export both buses to a single wav file (Thank you Cominginsecond!), import to new track (assigned to third bus, track and bus set 'zero'). Solo new track, all meters show -.5db again, waveform nice and round just less than a full track display.
Same export/import to a fourth track, but with both send buses levels set at -4.0db -all meters show O/L, waveform shows slight flattening off the tops.


Frankly, I can't imagine needing any more precision than this.

Dobro had a post a while back where he asked why a small eq cut on a near-max track caused the track to go ABOVE zero. I tried UltraFunk and Timeworks (clean and vintage) on the -.5db track, but found no increase like he did FWIW.
Wayne

 

[James Argo]

ACKUS ROCKS, mixsit !!!

I never doubt it

 

[moskus]

Damn it, mixit. Are you seriously bored or what?

 

[mixsit]

Nah. Just curious. Someone said such and such was (or was it wasn't?) clipping when they submixed, someonelse said digi meters might be blowing you, ect. ect.
But we're all going to have master buses in six month any way, right?

Bob W. once said; 'Sorry for the delay but we know you wouldn't want us to start untill everything was exactly perfect.'
...'I've just been informed, everything is exactly perfect.'

 

[moskus]

Bob W. once said; 'Sorry for the delay but we know you wouldn't want us to start untill everything was exactly perfect.'

That's not a delay, that's "latency".

 

[pennylink]

I'm reading this with great interest, since I was one of those wondering about the impact on overall level and possibility of clipping when combining buses.

Of course being in my recording infancy, I'm not sure I can totally digest mixsit's findings (thanks for going through all the trouble, though).

Am I right in assuming it means there is clipping or at least an increase in overall level as a result of combining multiple buses?

 

[moskus]

Of course being in my recording infancy, I'm not sure I can totally digest mixsit's findings

What it basically means is that Sonar is super-accurate.

 

[mixsit]

I'm reading this with great interest, since I was one of those wondering about the impact on overall level and possibility of clipping when combining buses.

Of course being in my recording infancy, I'm not sure I can totally digest mixsit's findings (thanks for going through all the trouble, though).

Am I right in assuming it means there is clipping or at least an increase in overall level as a result of combining multiple buses?

Thanks, I hoped it was helpful. It was well worth the effort and a good learning experiment.
Any time we combine the levels add up. What we have to watch out for here is we're doing it past the point ACKUS's meter can see it. In this case the external meter and the track view both worked great. (ain't it nice when that happens! I just juggled the levels up to the max to see it.
I'd be interested to know how the Q10 meters go too. (my Dakota don't dot nun.
Wayne