Limiting and Radiohead

[backsliders]

So I was trying to learn more about limiting and compression and stuffs, because my master track likes to clip most of the time. Thing is, none of the individual tracks are near clipping but since sound can accumulate I'm a bit stuck... I mean, if I were to turn down the individual tracks, I wouldn't be able to hear the instrument. If I were to turn down the master, (because I like to listen to the unfinished version of the song on my ipod so I can get ideas throughout the day) it's substantially quieter than anything else on my ipod. So I thought, "Hey, why don't I put a track of a loud song by someone else that's on my ipod (which I usually compare the volume of my song to) into Adobe Audition and compare the wave forms."

So I loaded 15 Step and Bodysnatchers by Radiohead, and they're right up there at like -0.1 dB the entire way through the song. Also, alot of the time they will slightly clip. It looks as though Nigel Godrich just used a lookahead limiter on the master track... though the songs sound really good.

What do you guys think of this?

[Kim Lajoie]

[...] my master track likes to clip most of the time. Thing is, none of the individual tracks are near clipping but since sound can accumulate I'm a bit stuck... I mean, if I were to turn down the individual tracks, I wouldn't be able to hear the instrument.

Have you thought about turning up your speakers?

If I were to turn down the master, (because I like to listen to the unfinished version of the song on my ipod so I can get ideas throughout the day) it's substantially quieter than anything else on my ipod.

[...]

What do you guys think of this?

I think it's pretty loud.

-Kim.

[backsliders]

Hm. Well, I read those threads and I can say it really helped me out. I shouldn't be so surprised that I know virtually nothing about mastering.
Though, this still interests me.
Thanks Kim!

[ATS]

So I was trying to learn more about limiting and compression and stuffs, because my master track likes to clip most of the time. Thing is, none of the individual tracks are near clipping but since sound can accumulate I'm a bit stuck... I mean, if I were to turn down the individual tracks, I wouldn't be able to hear the instrument. If I were to turn down the master, (because I like to listen to the unfinished version of the song on my ipod so I can get ideas throughout the day) it's substantially quieter than anything else on my ipod. So I thought, "Hey, why don't I put a track of a loud song by someone else that's on my ipod (which I usually compare the volume of my song to) into Adobe Audition and compare the wave forms."

So I loaded 15 Step and Bodysnatchers by Radiohead, and they're right up there at like -0.1 dB the entire way through the song. Also, alot of the time they will slightly clip. It looks as though Nigel Godrich just used a lookahead limiter on the master track... though the songs sound really good.

What do you guys think of this?

look at this. You do NOT want to make your songs as loud as the "pros" are doing it nowadays, they are ruining their music. seriously, it is a shame the pros are putting such bad examples out there for people who don't know any better. Dynamics are a good thing. Some of the best mastering engineers I know don't even use compression at all during mastering, that includes limiting.

[shogger]

look at this. You do NOT want to make your songs as loud as the "pros" are doing it nowadays, they are ruining their music. seriously, it is a shame the pros are putting such bad examples out there for people who don't know any better. Dynamics are a good thing. Some of the best mastering engineers I know don't even use compression at all during mastering, that includes limiting.

To add a little fun to the discussion: I would like to hear those "best mastering engineers" mastering ANY top 40 music. It seems to be stupid to not use any compression and limiting for those.
And yes, you can overdo it, for sure. Just don't overdo it. Make it that it's loud and sounds good. It's possible.

Shogger

[backsliders]

I completely agree about the range of dynamics and how it's better to have quiet quiet parts and loud loud parts. Sometimes it just erks me when someone's listening to a song (let's say in a car)and it hits a loud part, that person is a wimp and turns the volume knob down so the loud part is just as loud as that quiet part was a second ago. Now the quiet part is inaudible and the loud part is normal level. That's fine for some, but when I'm making music, I have lots of little clicks and beeps and whirls that I wish would be heard when my music is played that won't due to the loud parts being to loud. But, then again, there may be a difference between mixing a dynamic record and me badly mixing a dynamic record.

[shogger]

Find your compromise. If it's not enough, turn it up. If it works for you, FINE! Let it pump: Do you still like it? Tweak it til the pumping is gone and it's still loud: Do you like it? Etc.


Shogger