is masterfader down a solution to clipping in digital domain

[wazun]

Is masterfader down a solution to clipping in digital domain?
If I have for example a project with 30 tracks and the master track peaks, do I have to manually
re-adjust all the single tracks or can I just pull the master fader until there is no more peak?
I'm not sure, but I think, since everything is my host (ableton live) is down in floating point numbers,
there should be no problem. Am I right?

[Majken]

Everything before the master fader is 32bit float and thus will not clip even if it's actually a positive number. So yes, reducing the volume on the master will work perfectly to find the best level possible.

Keeping some headroom can still be a good idea though since some compressors and such does not allow you to adjust the input volume.

/Majken

[wazun]

Everything before the master fader is 32bit float and thus will not clip even if it's actually a positive number. So yes, reducing the volume on the master will work perfectly to find the best level possible.

Keeping some headroom can still be a good idea though since some compressors and such does not allow you to adjust the input volume.

/Majken

So a clipping channel could be a problem if I route it to an compressor, even if the processing takes place in 32bit float?

[Majken]

Well yes, but it would only be a problem because the threshold couldn't be set to a proper value. Imagine a limiter, at 0dB it's supposed to do nothing. However if the peaks are at +10dB it's actually going to reduce them by 10dB even when set at the maximum threshold. So because there's no headroom there also is no headroom for the compressor to work with.

/Majken

[wazun]

Ok, now I understand. So there is only no problem, when no dynamic processing.
Thanks for clearing that up!

[DevonB]

Oh, such a hot topic of debate. I say NEVER touch the master fader. Doing so punishes the rest of your mix because one track is out of whack. Fix the mix.

Devon

[jackson]

Here we go again...

[.jon]

I'm not a mixer pro but doesn't turning down the main make everything quiet, flat and you need to pump it up later?

fix it in the mix sounds too cliched for a modern geek like me, so I say fix it where the first red light goes on.

.jon

[Pipelineaudio]

you would have to know the internal structure of the app in question to know for sure

[funkadil]

But you could put a fader or channel tool before the loaded compressor If you wanted right?

[bduffy]

I'm not a mixer pro but doesn't turning down the main make everything quiet, flat and you need to pump it up later?

fix it in the mix sounds too cliched for a modern geek like me, so I say fix it where the first red light goes on.

.jon

It will make it quiter, yeah, but "flat", I don't think so, unless you got the worst host on the planet! Personally, I used to mix LOUD all the time, had that master meter pinned the whole freakin' time. But now I've really cut back on the track levels - think about it: what can the mastering engineer work with if your song is pinned or constantly peaking(or clipping) at -0db? Just like the compressor situation just discussed, he needs something to work with. It's OK to "pump it up later"! You don't want your mix coming out of the gates brickwalled (I know it "sounds" better), there's no point.

So I know it sounds cliched, but I think you're way better off reducing your track levels than messing with the master - but I will lower mine if it's just too much damned work, so that's not 100%! But usually it's not too bad; in most hosts you can group your faders and go.

[Ebenezer Squeezer]

But you could put a fader or channel tool before the loaded compressor If you wanted right?

Yes, that works. I sometimes do that.

[Jason Brian Merrill]

when i get to this point I just lower all the faders and start over.

[jens]

I usually put the master down...

[jens]

I'm not a mixer pro but doesn't turning down the main make everything quiet, flat and you need to pump it up later?

no.