Blue Monkey Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 I noticed in Logic X that the Level Meter now has True Peak in addition to Peak level readings. What is the difference between the two and which is the preferred method of metering peaks when mixing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 It depends what you're doing: Peak is the actual level of the digital samples in Logic. True Peak is the level of the analog signal that will be rebuilt if you convert Logic's digital output to analog. In general I have mine set to True Peaks & RMS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Monkey Posted December 7, 2016 Author Share Posted December 7, 2016 It depends what you're doing: Peak is the actual level of the digital samples in Logic. True Peak is the level of the analog signal that will be rebuilt if you convert Logic's digital output to analog. In general I have mine set to True Peaks & RMS. So do you use True Peak because you send the signal back out to some analog gear or is there another reason? I read up a little on True Peak today after discovering that setting in the new Level Meter in Logic X but was unsure if True Peak has any relevance once the signal is digital and you plan to keep it digital. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 I can't think of a situation where I plan to keep the signal digital and yet need to be peaking at 0 dB FS sample-peak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eriksimon Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 If you keep your signal digital you will not be able to hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Monkey Posted December 7, 2016 Author Share Posted December 7, 2016 If you keep your signal digital you will not be able to hear it. I meant during processing, before output. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Monkey Posted December 7, 2016 Author Share Posted December 7, 2016 I can't think of a situation where I plan to keep the signal digital and yet need to be peaking at 0 dB FS sample-peak. So then are you saying that it is best practice to set the Level Meter to "True Peak" and "RMS"? Are Logics Channel Strip meters "Peak" or "True Peak"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 IMO it's best practice to use only your ears most of the time, and your meters only when needed. A painter doesn't use a meter to measure the width or length of her brush strokes. But she may use a meter when measuring the size of her canvas to make sure it will fit the frame. When I need to check wether my mix will fit the frame (meaning it won't clip my converters) then I use True-Peak, yes. The rest of the time I don't really need to monitor my peaks, at least not with that kind of precision that I'm going to wonder wether to use Peak or True Peak. For example when setting a recording level, I couldn't care less wether the meter I'm using is sample-peak or true-peak since I'm not going to shoot for a super precise value anyway. Obviously it depends what you do. If you produce audio for TV or broadcast for example you are required to hit specific numbers and therefore have to use your meters. Are Logics Channel Strip meters "Peak" or "True Peak"? Logic's channel strip meters are sample-peak (a.k.a. "Peak"). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Monkey Posted December 7, 2016 Author Share Posted December 7, 2016 When I need to check wether my mix will fit the frame (meaning it won't clip my converters) then I use True-Peak, yes. The rest of the time I don't really need to monitor my peaks, at least not with that kind of precision that I'm going to wonder wether to use Peak or True Peak. For example when setting a recording level, I couldn't care less wether the meter I'm using is sample-peak or true-peak since I'm not going to shoot for a super precise value anyway. Are Logics Channel Strip meters "Peak" or "True Peak"? Logic's channel strip meters are sample-peak (a.k.a. "Peak"). That's what I was looking for. Yup, I use my ears, of course. And I agree about not caring too much about the meters. The reason I'm focused on the meters at this time is that as I set up Logic X and my new projects and templates, I want to set things up with the proper understanding and application of gain staging. This is not something I focused on so critically previously and I found myself wasting a lot of time later in the projects tracking down "hot spots" and then consequently having to re-tweek the mix. Thank you David! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 You're welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stardustmedia Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 If you gain stage, for instance to -18dBFS, you don't have to bother about True Peak or not. True Peak might be needed if you hit 0dBFS, e.g. during mastering, and you wan't to make sure that the final bounce, although samples are below the clipping level 0dBFS, doesn't create distortions in the analog stage of the converter (where the "recreated" wave can go above 0dBFS). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Monkey Posted December 28, 2016 Author Share Posted December 28, 2016 Thanks for the reply stardustmedia! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stardustmedia Posted December 28, 2016 Share Posted December 28, 2016 Thanks for the reply stardustmedia! You're welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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