analogue signal DB and digital signal DB

[DominicWyeth]

I dont wish to start a rant on loudness war - this is not the purpose of this post

...sorry just wanted to say that up front

recently a client asked me to master 3 tracks that were to be added to the end of an existing album (already mastered).

At present I have not been able to afford any outboard gear so I am mastering using a digital signal path (Protools).

I took the three tracks and ran them through BX Digital, Multiband Compressor TL Space, BX Solo, Massey mastering limiter

and then I use a level meter set to k14

I was happy with the job I had done and got some nice levels - bounced, had a coffee and checked it on a few differrent speaker systems - all good.

Then I compiled the album adding the three tracks to the other ones - HOLY CRAP - the other mastered tracks were so hot and so loud it hurt. I was no where near the audio level they were pushing - I had to limit the crap out of my songs almost to the point of squashing any musical performance to even get them close.

the other tracks were pushing +8 on a k14 scale.

at times I could hear distortion in the original tracks (and being the mix engineer previous;ly I knew it wasnt there) so I am thinking the original ME just pushed them crap out of them

but here is my question - Does a digital signal path limit the amount of gain you can get from a track. before it starts to sound horrible - I never want to be a ME that just makes it loud for clients.

[MASSIVE Master]

Yes, no, depends on the rest of everything else.

Personally? I find adding gain using a properly calibrated analog chain to be superior - When I have a track at -10dB(FS)RMS, the analog chain is sitting pretty at 0dBVU. Hardly breathing.

But then, of course, it's a matter of getting it back ITB while doing as little damage as possible... The gear that's adding the gain, the converters (out AND in), everything is going to be able to take the heat.

[24-96 Mastering]

Don't forget there's also the option to turn the other tracks down a bit. Or meet in the middle. You can use a declipper on the other tracks to give it a bit of transients back if you decide to do that.

Does a digital signal path limit the amount of gain you can get from a track. before it starts to sound horrible - I never want to be a ME that just makes it loud for clients.

Hmm... not categorically I don't think. It feels that way while working analog, but I'm sure that if that is an advantage, it's only because 1. there are some very nice and versatile analog dynamics available and 2. converters tend to clip very softly. If I need to get more level out of a track, the first methods I usually look to are digital though. And btw. the primary tool to make it loud is still "to not give a frick". Experience helps a lot. Equipment does too.

By the way, if anyone here has no conscience and needs cash, make a Lavry-Gold-Soft-Clipping plugin that emulates the A/D being clipped.... sell it to thousands of aspiring engineers and tell them that "that's the pros' secret".

[DominicWyeth]

I ended up going back and reworking my multiband compression to give it some more oomph whilst rather than push the limters - this helped a lot in gaining overall perceived loudness change..without it starting to sound squashed and "undynamic". then I drove my limter a bit harder as well.

still I dont like the volume of the original tracks - but clients likes loud punk... next time I will just turn my speakers up for the listening session.

but then I am sure they will come back to me and say "it sounds different at home... fix it"

:S