tristancalvaire Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 E.g; Does it matter if a Mix/Bus being sent to the master output clips, but the output itself does not (presuming there is no plug-in akin to a bitcrusher on the Mix/Bus channel). I remember reading somewhere that the damage done wasn't permanent if the audio does not clip in the master output, but I may have been mistaken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 No, it does not matter unless you're clipping the input of a 24 bit fixed plug-in, or you're using the i/o plug-in on the output channel strip: Guide to Levels in Digital Audio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashermusic Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 But also be aware that some 3rd party 32 bit float plug-ins simply do not handle hot signal coming from another in the signal path well and can distort internally so if you have pre-fader metering on ( and think you always should, but I know David disagrees with me about always doing so) and you see a channel strip with 3rd party plug-ins going wildly into the red, I would cast a suspicious eye on it. i always recommend, and Apple recommends, that you observe traditional good mix practices and get in the habit of keeping your levels rather under control even though with a 32 bit app like Logic. Worst case scenario is that you are very focused on the details of your mix. Also, andI have not done the scientific null tests that would possibly support or refute this, in a large project when I do this so it seems to me that the end result sounds more open. It may be psychoacoustics or D/A issues, etc. I know that he math says it should not be so, and yet...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beej Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Ah, this ol' chestnut I'm more with David (and the warnings about 24-bit fixed plugins is valid though not that common these days) than Jay but his advice is sound - keep to sensible mixing practices and keep your levels under control. But nothing is being irrevocably damaged if you have a channel going up into the red, as long as your output channel is not clipping (and this should have plenty of headroom, really, so turn it down if necessary). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ski Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Here's a practical reason not to go into the red on channels... if you use the bounce in place or export tracks functions, your audio files will be clipped at those points. And having the "overload protection" or "normalize" features turned on for those operations is not a band aid for this, because some tracks will be rendered too loud, others too soft. Still, ensuring that your channels don't clip has nothing to do with whether or not the output goes into the red, and indeed you never want that to happen. The easy solution here is to either lower the output level on the stereo output, or insert a gain plug in the first insert slot on the stereo output and turn the gain down there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shivermetimbers Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 E.g; Does it matter if a Mix/Bus being sent to the master output clips, but the output itself does not (presuming there is no plug-in akin to a bitcrusher on the Mix/Bus channel). I remember reading somewhere that the damage done wasn't permanent if the audio does not clip in the master output, but I may have been mistaken. Keep your tracks down in the -18dB to -24dB range and you really should not have to worry about 'clipping.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Keep your tracks down in the -18dB to -24dB range and you really should not have to worry about 'clipping.' Arghhh.... that's kinda like saying drive under 30mph at all times and you really shouldn't have to worry about getting into an accident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanRad Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 If you're colorblind, it doesn't matter, all your files will be fine. And Brown. DR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ski Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 If you're colorblind, it doesn't matter, all your files will be fine. And Brown.DR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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