VU-meters
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- KVRist
- 230 posts since 8 Dec, 2015
Maybe it's a silly question, but I don't find a proper information in the help files:
Is the maximum value the meters in the racks show 0dB? Is there any possibility to see headroom? How do I handle what I see?
Is the maximum value the meters in the racks show 0dB? Is there any possibility to see headroom? How do I handle what I see?
- KVRAF
- 7412 posts since 8 Feb, 2003 from London, UK
The top of the meter is the maximum level that can be processed without clipping. If the meter goes red, your waveform has clipped. If you want headroom, reduce the fader level.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 230 posts since 8 Dec, 2015
OK, thank you. But how much is it? 0dB, +3 / +6 / +12dB???
I think, I should get a mix with 0dB Maximum and therefore I use a limiter set slightly below 0dB in the master-channel for "safety reasons" and try to let it work only at peaks. But I'm not sure how to control with the meters, as they are not scaled. There is a 3-line-grid in it, but can anyone tell, at what levels they are?
I think, I should get a mix with 0dB Maximum and therefore I use a limiter set slightly below 0dB in the master-channel for "safety reasons" and try to let it work only at peaks. But I'm not sure how to control with the meters, as they are not scaled. There is a 3-line-grid in it, but can anyone tell, at what levels they are?
- KVRAF
- 7412 posts since 8 Feb, 2003 from London, UK
From http://mutools.com/info/docs/mux/rack.html
> The level meter shows 3 thin lines: Top = -6dB, middle = -12dB, bottom = -18dB.
> The level meter shows 3 thin lines: Top = -6dB, middle = -12dB, bottom = -18dB.
- KVRAF
- 13865 posts since 24 Jun, 2008 from Europe
- KVRAF
- 7412 posts since 8 Feb, 2003 from London, UK
Also, my approach to mixing is to target a master out level below 0dB, with the master fader at 0dB and no limiter. I start by getting the tracks peaking at -6dB. If the mix starts out clipping, all tracks get trimmed back by about the same about to avoid it. I then add any compression, eq, etc needed to get each track sounding okay (soloed at this point) and only then start adjusting the mix - constantly making sure the master out isn't clipping. I'd rather end up needing to boost the overall level once I've got a good mix than rely on limiting to "prevent" clipping (limiting really is just a "soft" form of clipping in my view).
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 230 posts since 8 Dec, 2015
Thank you all! Yes, @pljones, that's the way I try it too. The limiter in my mix shall only cut some peaks. And with the master-fader I try to get levels of -1 to -2dB max. But as mentioned above, I have been confused by the level-indicators ...
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- KVRist
- 355 posts since 30 Jun, 2009 from moon
deleted
Speedrum 2 is a hidden gem. 
