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Originally Posted by Nigel Jopson An explanation:
This idea of "clipping the converter" seems to have developed from some comments made by top mastering engineers in interviews. ALL of these guys have at their disposal converters with an EXTRA function, either on the analogue or digital side. The extra function is a BUILT IN LIMITER. |
If you search just this mastering forum, you'll find mastering engineers explaining that they clip their converters WITHOUT the use of these "soft limit" features. Most don't even use these features. I don't personally know anybody who does.
I have two RME ADI-8 DSs that I've been clipping for quite some time because IT SOUNDS GOOD. There's no limiter in there as far as I know! I usually do it when I'm squashing something with an outboard limiter or compressor. I wouldn't do it, say, on a quiet, clean acoustic guitar track. Wouldn't want to. Cutting off the tops of the peaks can result in a squishy kind of impact that can be pleasing and desireable (speaking mainly about drums here,) depending on what you're going for.