lower output ceiling

[Swell]

I have an issue to solve, what are your recommendations please:

At the end of my sidechain I have the RN FINIS 3 limiter followed by the MASSEY L2007. Both working slightly of course.

The output ceiling of FINIS 3 is -0.6. The Massey limiter with "mellow" attitude limits already the signal I'm then not touching its threshold and keep it at 0. As well as the output ceiling.

As a result my master still peaks at -0.6. I would like to gain at least 0.3 or 0.4 dB.
Things is my master is complete at that stage and I don't want anything changing the color...What is my best option then ? Adding a L2, pushing the master volume of my pro tools session ? Adding gain with an linear eq ?

Thanks for your help.

Swell

[MASSIVE Master]

Is three tenths of one decibel going to make that much of a difference that you feel you need to go through all this trouble?

[Swell]

Jon,

I know it's silly. But I suspect my client to actually visualize the masters on its DAW and ask why it can't be made louder. I'm usualy having -0.3 maximum ceiling. What about you ?, what's your habits regarding this ?

Thanks for sharing

[It'sJoeAgain]

Originally Posted by Swell

I have an issue to solve, what are your recommendations please:

At the end of my sidechain I have the RN FINIS 3 limiter followed by the MASSEY L2007. Both working slightly of course.

The output ceiling of FINIS 3 is -0.6. The Massey limiter with "mellow" attitude limits already the signal I'm then not touching its threshold and keep it at 0. As well as the output ceiling.

As a result my master still peaks at -0.6. I would like to gain at least 0.3 or 0.4 dB.
Things is my master is complete at that stage and I don't want anything changing the color...What is my best option then ? Adding a L2, pushing the master volume of my pro tools session ? Adding gain with an linear eq ?

Thanks for your help.

Swell

I had to email ur question(s) to a guy who really does this for a living and the answer was: "It appears that he is using too many peak limiters already. If he wants to get the peaks as close as full scale as possible, then just tell him to set the ceiling at -0.1dBFS. I wouldn't get closer than 1/10th of a dB from the zero digital limit even if someone put a gun to my head ".

So Swell, i am not sure if u feel that the Massey limiter is adding the *color* u like or not but if so, just raise ur FINIS 3 ceiling to -0.1 ....that makes ur mix 1/2dB louder.....and if the Massey L2007 is not there for coloring purposes then take it off ur chain....

[Swell]

Hi Joe,

Well the mastering I'm currently doing is lo-fi Hip Hop. It needs serious compression because the vocals suffer from bad mix. And I've try MS eq, MS comp...within their limits.
I do get a best result with heavy limiting, (which I usually never do). And there again, I get best result with two limiters working slightly and in a different attitude. That's why I need the L2007 following the FINIS 3.
On some tracks though my output ceiling is set at -1.6 dB. I agree 0.3 dB doesnt represent a big deal. But 1.6 dB is quiet a lot for a project that is supposed to be loud. Having found the best relation between the two limiters, I don't want to touch them anymore. So how about gaining, at the really end of my sidechain, 1.5 dB or so ??
Simply by pushing the masterfader during bounce ?? I know positive value on DAW faders is not so good...

Swell

[It'sJoeAgain]

Originally Posted by Swell

Hi Joe,
On some tracks though my output ceiling is set at -1.6 dB.

if ur stereo mix peaks at -1.6dBFS, that's a different story....

I agree 0.3 dB doesnt represent a big deal. But 1.6 dB is quiet a lot for a project that is supposed to be loud. Having found the best relation between the two limiters, I don't want to touch them anymore. So how about gaining, at the really end of my sidechain, 1.5 dB or so ??

aight Yo..so if it's ur mix peaking at -1.6dBfs and u wanna keep ur current limiters' thresholds then raise the master fader by +1.5 dB...so long as u don't see it clipping ur gonna b fine.....

Simply by pushing the masterfader during bounce ?? I know positive value on DAW faders is not so good...

like i said it's ok as long as there is no clipping (and looks like you have the headroom)....but you can also boost the overall levels with the Massey L2007 by lowering 1.6dB of its current threshold (makin it at the same time work a bit harder 4 u) and setting ceiling at -0.1dBFS!...I hope you are not tryin a DIY masterin job here, little brother and that ur using this just to listen in ur car while u get dinero for a real mastering guy to dynamically process it....seriously yo, u can never bring it to the level a professional does with just peak limiters..

[Swell]

Hey Joe,

Well, I knew about my options here.
What I was asking was the best way to do it as transparent as possible.
Like I said I don't want to change my dynamic. I want to raise my volume.

About your worries regarding my skills: I'm new in the mastering field, but I have a serious experience as a mixer. My way is to grow as a ME with years coming of hard work. I ask people of this beloved forum their help and expertise, not their favorite adress I should send my projects to.

Thanks.

Swell

[It'sJoeAgain]

Originally Posted by Swell

Hey Joe,

Like I said I don't want to change my dynamic. I want to raise my volume.

care to explain what u mean?? Don't want to change ur *dynamic* range but increase volume?? What volume?? amplitude?? i am confused little brother...

[Swell]

Yes, that's right, I want to raise my amplitude. I'm happy with my sidechain, exept that I could gain 1,5 dB of amplitude. I'd like to do that with minimum of coloration. That's why I don't want to plug a third limiter...My question is:

would there be a better option than just push the master fader ? Maybe the output of a linear eq is cleaner ??
Would anyone care about those 1.5 potential dB ?

Swell

[It'sJoeAgain]

Originally Posted by Swell

Yes, that's right, I want to raise my amplitude. I'm happy with my sidechain, exept that I could gain 1,5 dB of amplitude. I'd like to do that with minimum of coloration. That's why I don't want to plug a third limiter...My question is:

would there be a better option than just push the master fader ? Maybe the output of a linear eq is cleaner ??
Would anyone care about those 1.5 potential dB ?

Swell

Swell, am i takin care of u or not?? I said go ahead raise the master fader YES, so long as you don't see red at the meters it should be fine, the 2 limiters are acting as brickwalls and the ball stops at -0.6dbFS with the RN FINIS 3 no matter how much you push the master fader, of course if u continue pushing the signal will eventually break down and distort......

Edit; i am sure u have these limiters at the master buss, right??

[Swell]

Ok Joe,

I'll do that. Pushing the master fader to compensate.

Thanks for your opinion.

Swell