KVR Audio

MogwaiBoy · Post by **MogwaiBoy** » Wed May 04, 2016 11:19 pm

I have the fantastic IKM Stealth Limiter and it's default setting on the output is -0.1dB.

Is this cutting it too close? What's the general wisdom on this? I have heard that -1dB is best as it leaves some headroom for Inter-Sample Peaks... but what if the limiter is catching all of them anyway - can I inch a bit closer to the 0db digital ceiling?

I have also heard that when you are limiting close to 0dB, it actually pushes over into clipping when you convert it to other formats (ie: MP3)... if anyone has some good reading on this subject, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks from a rookie!

acYm · Post by **acYm** » Thu May 05, 2016 12:34 am

there are certain limiters (or clippers) made for putting at the end of a mastering chain that have ISP, intersample peak protection, integrated. in that case you should be safe at 0.0, unless of course if you're going to render that bounce to mp3, as the codec is inherently crappy indeed.

MogwaiBoy · Post by **MogwaiBoy** » Thu May 05, 2016 1:27 am

Thanks

I'm following you - though I guess one should always, always assume that your material will end up in MP3 and most people will hear it that way, atleast initially. So it's a question of how close to 0dB is safest.

Just researching this topic....
http://www.about-audio-mastering-softwa ... r-mp3.html

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Thu May 05, 2016 5:35 am

Normally I set the output of my limiters to -0.3dBFS, though occasionally for soundcloud only masters I might use -1dBFS as I've run into issues with clipping there.

pixel85 · Post by **pixel85** » Fri May 06, 2016 4:29 pm

When converting sample rate, to different format etc etc, always expect artifacts that can add 0.1dB or more to original signal.
Personally I keep -0,5dB but there's no one single rule

do_androids_dream · Post by **do_androids_dream** » Fri May 06, 2016 4:44 pm

Tarekith wrote:Normally I set the output of my limiters to -0.3dBFS, though occasionally for soundcloud only masters I might use -1dBFS as I've run into issues with clipping there.

-0.3 dB for me too in 99% of circumstances

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Fri May 06, 2016 5:30 pm

-0.3 here too. Got into the habit back when mixing was done to DAT.

Lejurai · Post by **Lejurai** » Fri May 06, 2016 6:05 pm

I have limiter at -0,1db, but it's just for in case that some suprise peak doesn't pop my speakers. Generally my channel volume is so low that there's no need for limiter.

MogwaiBoy · Post by **MogwaiBoy** » Sat May 07, 2016 7:51 am

Thanks everyone! I'll stick to -0.5 to -0.3dB from now on.

Set master limiter output to.... (-1dB?)