Playblack clipping?

  • Thread starter Thread starter NIelkc
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NIelkc

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Ok maybe I am having a brain fart or who knows what.

Software I am using is Cubase SX, Delta 44.

Ok so this is what happend, just a quick messing around. Had some drum loops that were in Acid, (Acid always makes the loop down to -6db for some odd reason) so I turn that up to 0 (look on the Mixer for Delta 44 and it looks perfect, nice hot level) I save that to .wav and import it to Cubase SX.

Then I track a rythym guitar track and get that at a Nice hot level (BTW yes I know how to set levels, Up to clip, then back off, get a nice Signal to Noise ratio, sending the most bits, blah blah blah). Play that back and output levels are good, no clipping, cool.

Ok then I track a lead track, get a nice hot level, start to record, start to play the guitar and getting CRAZY clipping. Its not the input, it is the output clipping like crazy. Why is this? Was it just a freak occurance? Is this normal? After I track should I turn down the other levels that are playing back (example, the drums and rythym guitar?), it is just confusing me I guess.
 
Yep, as you add more tracks at 'just below clipping' you're leaving no headroom at all and the cumulative effect is nasty clipping. Most of the pros I know track at about -12 to -15dbfs (at 24bits ) to leave room for the accumulation of level.

Scott
 
Ok this may be a stupid reply but if I had 2 tracks playing at 100% that we're recorded as hot as they could be without clipping, then started recording a 3rd track at a very hot level; it would be entirely possible that the sum of all 3 of these tracks playing at once could create some clipping on the output tracks. I generally leave about 4-6db of headroom above peaks for EQ and other factors. I guess the question is: Does taking down the faders a little on your playback tracks solve the problem?

Joel
 
Yeh it does. But it would be eaiser to just record a little bit quiter to leave headroom. (If that is what you guys are saying).
 
Just remember that 0dB + 0dB = 3 dB, and you'll figure it out... ;)
 
jmproductions said:
I guess the question is: Does taking down the faders a little on your playback tracks solve the problem?
Click to expand...

That's basically why mixers have faders.
 
ahhh, lol. So I should still record HOT, but then just turn it down. Cool:)
 
Why were you guys recommending to record the level quieter to accomadate things like EQ and clipping? You just turn the damn levels down.
 
cominginsecond said:
Why were you guys recommending to record the level quieter to accomadate things like EQ and clipping?
Click to expand...

Some recording formats (my AKAI for example) will increase playback decibel levels for that track if enough boost is applied in that particular tracks EQ. I assume this means that the Track EQ is pre-fader. It can be problemmatic if something requires radical equalization, however, this didn't seem to be the case on my Roland unit.
 
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