Tracking too hot - what is the remedy?

[Electric Goblins]

After reading through the boards, I've realized that I may have tracked way too hot. I'm using Logic 8 with RME converters. I was shooting for slightly under "0". Now, after reading all of the posts - - I know better!
If I simply pull the faders down in Logic, will that feed the mix bus a lower signal?
Should I Gain change every channel - - or add a gain change plug per channel?
If this has been discussed could someone post a link?

I'm trying to learn........

Thanks!

[theblue1]

If you don't actually have digital clipping in your signal, you're likely fine and did no harm to your project. Even if you have some clipping (sustained 0 dBfs samples in a row) you might not be in bad shape. (I've known people to go in at the sample level and put some variation in the dynamic values in to break up that string of zeros.)

Now, you may have recently come across someone writing about intersample peaks [the mind-twisting concept of sub 0 dBfs samples that, when interpolated into a wave, create overs on DA conversion] -- but that's only at the DA output stage and can be avoided by either monitoring with an intersample peak-aware meter or simply keeping your output levels at a relatively low level. (I've seen recommended maximimum level figures from -.3 dB to -3 dB to as low as -9 dB. Seems to me that - 3 is probably pretty safe.)


However -- if you ended up with sustained clipping and it causes audible problems, you may have to retrack. But it doesn't sound like that's the case.

Check it out to see if you've got any strings of 0 dBfs samples. If you don't, you're good to go.

But watch those output levels. Better yet, find yourself an intersample peak-aware meter [SSL used to make their basic one available free; there may be other freebies or it may be available still]. And watch those output levels.


And next time you're tracking or overdubbing, just give yourself a little extra headroom.

[Electric Goblins]

Thanks so much for your reply - - made me feel better! : )

[steveschizoid]

In the tips and techniques section there is a lnk to an article about the consequence of this error. The analogy of trying to unburn a steak by putting ice cubes on it is great

So, how important is your project, and how easily can it be redone? If there is no clipping/digital distortion, you can make do. It won't sound as good as it could have if you knew what you were doing. The level setting thing has to do with how your preamps sound, and what happens when they are pushed past 0Dbu (analog, not digital), and whether you really want that sound on any given track.

[Lagerfeldt]

Originally Posted by theblue1

If you don't actually have digital clipping in your signal, you're likely fine and did no harm to your project. Even if you have some clipping (sustained 0 dBfs samples in a row) you might not be in bad shape.

With many converters, including RME, you will do wisely to keep below -3 dBFS in the ADC.

Lowering your faders after recording will have no effect on this, and is not the solution in this case. However, do mind your levels inside Logic too.

See this thread also
Does tracking hot improve presence??

[Electric Goblins]

Would inserting a gain plug in each channel - and pulling down a few db help or hurt a hot mix? I've listened back through all of the tracks and "individually" they sound fine.

Thanks for all of the help!

: )

[Lagerfeldt]

No, it won't help on how your recorded files sound.

Record with a peak value of -3 dBFS or lower, and keep your faders and makeup gains at reasonable levels in your DAW and you'll be safe.

If your recorded files sound fine - they are fine :-)

[Geert van den Berg]

This one is easy!

To answer the question of the thread title...

ADJUST YOUR MONITORING CONTROL TO A HIGHER LEVEL!!!

A good idea would be to calibrate it, so what you always use the same reference levels.

For example: use some pink noise at -18dBfs or -20dBfs and calibrate this to SPL levels like 75, 79, 82, 85 db SPL.

(mark these values on your volume controller!!!).

[the_man361]

and to further answer the topic question: "Tracking too hot - what is the remedy?"

i suggest you simply check the incoming level of your audio when you're recording and make sure its not at the point of being 'just under 0' if its giving you problems