Why won't Tracktion clip when tracking?

[Kang]

I'm monitoring the input of tracktion, and no matter where I have the input on my soundcard set, tracktion won't clip, it just goes to 0db and stays there.

I'm monitoring it via the input pointer on the left's properties menu, since I'm not using end to end.

The reason I want to see clipping, is because I want to be able to see good levels without getting a signal that is actually clipping. The only way I can get it to show me clipping is to increase the input gain on that input proerties menu, but I figure I'm probably doing something wrong that someone may be able to shed some light on.

Thanks

[valley]

you're nto doing anything wrong, but you are misunderstanding what the input meter is showing.

If the signal you supply to your soundcard is clipping the cards' audio converters, Tracktion has no way of knowing. By the time teh sound has reached Tracktion, it is already way too late.

The only way you can be sure that the signal is not clipping is by setting the input level control at unity, and making sure the peak level is always *below* 0dB. If it hits 0dB, then it may well have clipped.

If you see the signal getting close to the 0dB mark, lower the level of the device that is feeding your card (not the input gain in Tracktion).

If you have 24bit converters on your card, you have plenty of headroom for dropping the source signal without sacrificing quality.

[AndrewSimon]

Yep Tracktion has a limiter set at 0.03 dB on the inputs.
You can monitor the real input level with the mixer of your sound card thou.

[Kang]

Thanks a lot.