[bluejay]

well, about clipping - all part of the much touted - and unfortunately very real "loudness wars". I've just finished mastering the first album I've done in a while with no clipping at all. It's probably about 2db softer in "apparent" volume than my three previous albums - I think it sounds great, but well see what the Itunes crowd (that is, commercial reality) thinks.
yes, it's got plenty of limiting and no lack of all manner of expensive gear, both analog and digital. but people clipping Lavrys and that ilk of converter is damn common these days. the problem being many "hit" records are the worst offenders - thereby encouraging the practice. I often point this out, Out Kast's "speakerboxx" record is the "loudest" I've ever heard - look at the audio - it's clipped all the way down the whole album! squarewave city! but it was the biggest record of that year, so what can you say? it jumps out of an ipod or tv speaker, but will take your head off if listened to on a "high end" stereo. so - here I am - about to put my balls on the line by turning it down a couple db... the whole thing is out of control, but you can't fight city hall, not if you do this for a living...