waves L3 Ultramaximizer

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onmoris

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Hi everyone
I used this plug-in to get the volumes right on some songs, and while the output level was set for -.2 db or something, but for some reason, i still hear some audio clipping. is that normal? am i perhaps misusing this tool? shouldn't setting a max of -.2 prevent clipping?
 
Using a limiter, you're basically clipping by definition. It's just short of a digital clip.

You're likely taking the mix further than it wants to go.
 
i understand what you're saying, i'm talking about that distorted sound, is that because signals are getting boosted higher than they are meant to go? if so, what sort of things should i be doing to fix that - shoudl i deal with it at the mastering level or the mixing level?
 
I hate to say "don't worry about volume," but, don't worry about volume.

(A) A mix's "potential maximum volume" is decided by the entire sum of the core sounds, arrangement, mic and gear selection and technique, recording and mixing levels (if they're too loud, you probably won't wind up with a loud master), the mastering gear and engineer. Anything that falls short along the way will further limit the potential volume. One thing - Is the mix distorted BEFORE the limiter?

(B) Smashing into a limiter (I won't even go into what I think about the L-Series in particular) normally doesn't cut it.

In other words, it needs to be dealt with at the preproduction level.

That being said...

As much as I hate to admit it, I do get an awful lot of projects in that want volume over quality. [Wait - I'ts not a rant, I swear] The key, of course, is to find the compromise - The gear and applications that it will take to squeeze the mix's volume beyond where it wants to be, while attempting to keep the essence of the mix somewhat intact. That's something that varies from mix to mix (no presets), and practical experience is the only shortcut.

A brickwall limiter is normally known as a "quick & dirty" way to increase volume. You're probably hearing the reasoning behind the "dirty" part.
 
The L3 doesn't have the ARC of the L2. That means that the harder you push the limiter, the longer you have to set the release time in order to avoid distortion.
But push it too far and you get really annoying pumping.

The L3 is better for more moderate limiting, and the L2 for heavier louder limiting. It automatically tries to strike a balance between distortion and pumping at any given instant in the song, so you can push it harder.

I got some better converters recently so I've been experimenting with clipping the ADC when doing a master. No pumping to worry about, and if you're very careful and have good converters, you will barely notice or will find the resulting distortion pleasing rather than annoying. Not many people here seem to know about this technique, they just assume any digital clip is a bad digital clip.
 
Very very slight digital distortion can add a bit of depth and charachter to a master I have noticed. Kinda thickens it up. I might be totally wrong as i am a novice, but hey.
 
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