Clipping A/D Converters - Technical Rundown?

[Ermz]

Hi folks,

I'm writing a research paper on the evolution of mastering, with a special focus on modern techniques, such as the clipping of A/D converters and/or use of clipper plug-ins like the GClip, Timeworks Mastering Compressor, Voxengo Elephant on 'Clip' mode etc.

I was wondering if any of you had any resources on what clipping converters actually does to a signal? Why is there a perceived gain in the volume of transients? Why is it only transients that can get away with it? How is squaring the signal off at the converters any different to hitting them with a limiter?

Thank you very much,
Ermin H.

[Lagerfeldt]

If you search this forum you will find a very very good description of those exact questions. I believe there even was some nice illustrations.

[Ermz]

Thank you! I believe I did a search earlier, but didn't turn much up. I guess I'll have to dig deeper this time.

Do you have any recollection of what the thread was called by chance?

EDIT: I've just realized how much of a common occurrence questions like this are. I apologize profusely for continuing to beat the dead horse... I think I've closed in on the thread that you suggested looking for Lagerfeldt. However I would still be very grateful if someone could link me to some technical papers, or at least newbie papers that describe the differences between clipping and limiting, and why it is that clipping creates the effect of transients popping up above the bed of the track.

EDIT #2: I've just found what I needed. Sorry to waste space on this forum. I should've used the search function more extensively to start with. Big thank you to Andreas Nordenstam for explaining the technical details so well, and providing links for further reading.

[Riccardo]

Originally Posted by Ermz

EDIT #2: I've just found what I needed. Sorry to waste space on this forum. I should've used the search function more extensively to start with. Big thank you to Andreas Nordenstam for explaining the technical details so well, and providing links for further reading.

thumbsup

[Nordenstam]

Thanks!

Am yet only an amateur in this field. It's an honour to be given to opportunity to give something back.


In case someone wants some more reading.. This is part of a diverse link collection posted in myspace blog some time ago. Apologies for the odd headings, something happens when pasting the link into this bulletin board system.

Knowledge base:
ePanorama.net - enormeous link database
GeeK NoiZe - audio recording software & hardware links - audio links
BBC - R&D - Publications - White Papers - BBC research & development white papers
Articles: use the SEARCH menu to find articles or click the links below - Sound on Sound magazine online article collection
Tech Library - TC electronic tech library
Library - Rane tech library
Rane Professional Audio Reference Home - Ranes pro audio reference
Digital Audio Explained - Papers - Nika Aldrich papers
Digital Domain - Welcome to Digital Domain! - Articles by Bob Katz
Mastersuite - Articles by Jay Frigoletto

Digital:
AES Post Script - Thomas Lund presentation papers Loudness and Peak Level Control in Broadcast, and Stop Counting Samples - about the sonic penalties of level maximization in mastering.
http://www.exp-math.uni-essen.de/~im...df/cdstory.pdf - The Compact Disk Story
digitalFAQ.com | Blank DVD Media Quality Guide - Blank DVD media quality guide
http://www.itl.nist.gov/div895/carefordisc/ - NIST guide to Care and Handling of CD's and DVD's

What Happens to My Recording When it’s Played on the Radio? - What happens to my recording when it's played on the radio?

Math, Physics, and Engineering Applets - interactive applets visualizing most any physics phenomena, including sound and electrical circuits
Acoustics and Vibration Animations - acoustics and vibration animations
http://www.isvr.soton.ac.uk/SPCG/Tut...andingwave.gif - standing wave animations
ISVR - Institute of Sound and Vibration Research - teaching material on waves and acoustics

ProSoundWeb | Welcome to Your Pro Audio Community and Resource, May 10, 2007 - articles and forums
MRL Calibration Tapes - Magnetic tape articles

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/ - forum
Recording Studio Design :: Index - recording studio design forum
Acoustics :: Index - acoustics forum
RECORDING - knowledge on pro audio, sound engineering, mastering music, acoustics, DAW - forum


Vinyl:
« DJResource.eu » Topics - simple explanation of the vinyl manufacturing process
Groove Pics - pictures of vinyl grooves
Record cutting introduction - nice pictures of vinyl cutting stuff and a great collection of relevant links
YouTube - How Vinyl Records Are Made PART 1 OF 2 - how vinyl records are made video part 1
YouTube - How Vinyl Records Are Made PART 2 OF 2 - how vinyl records are made video part 2
Micrographia: Applications: The microscopy of vinyl records. Page 1. - The Microscopy of Vinyl Recordings. A General Introduction
FAQ - Various vinyl recording info
Audio-Restoration By Graham Newton - Pressing Matters - The Production Of Phonograph Records - introduction to vinyl cutting and pressing


Do It Yourself:
Gyraf Audio - Danish manufacturer tightly knit to the DIY community, with several EQ and compressor DIY projects on site
PAiA Corporation - Analog Synths, Theremins, Preamps, and More - various rather easy kits
WebEE Home Page - web EE
Prodigy Professional :: Index - DIY forum
diyAudio.com - audio projects by fanatics, for fanatics - forum
Music From Outer Space synth DIY


Acoustics:
Acoustic Treatment and Design for Recording Studios and Listening Rooms and RealTraps - Acoustics Articles - articles by Ethan Winer
Room Mode Calculator - online mode calculator
Calculating Room Modes with ModeCalc — Audioholics Home Theater Reviews and News - modecalc program for windows
ETF Acoustic Measurement Software - nice program for measuring room response
acoustic related technical articles - various articles
Acoustics 101...Practical guidelines for acoustic construction: building a sound studio, listening room, home theater room, and any other sound control room project. - various articles
HiFi Speaker Design © mhSoft 2007 - helmholtz and panel absorber calculators
Jon_Risch's Web Site - some links
Room Reverb / Sabine Calculator and Charts :: MarkTAW.com - reverb calculator
SAE - SAE articles
http://www.acousticsfirst.com/docs/egg.PDF - cardboard damping test

Prog:
PC ABX Home Page - ABX test program with various listening excercises


Should suffice for a decent reading. :-)


Cheers,

Andreas Nordenstam