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#11
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Re: Getting the best sound quality in PT
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Even the "worst" 24-bit converters have at least a 95 dB S/N ratio these days. How many of us are recording a signal with such a wide dynamic range? I doubt many, if any, of us are. The noise floor is almost a non-issue. The ambient noise in the room you're recording in, or the self-noise of your analog gear, is much more likely to be an issue. Say you're recording something with a dynamic range of, say 40 dB...you could be peaking at -30 dB and your quietest signal would be at -70 dB and you'd still have plenty of room to spare on either end. You would not lose any quality and your signal would be recorded with the exact same level of accuracy as if you were peaking at -3dB, or -.03 (although in that case you'd most likely be using a limiter and your signal would actually be less accurate). Not that I'd recommend recording at -30 dB...there are plenty of other reasons to have hotter signals, such as consistent levels from one track to the next, being able to have your faders where you've got the best resolution, and the fact that most analog dear does perform better when it's running as close to unity as possible and you want a level that's consistent with that. Quote:
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Hot levels are a different issue when it comes to the mastering stage...although most stuff is heavily overcompressed these days, in general you do want your stuff to peak right under 0 dBFS and most likely you'll want to shove a bunch more than necessary up there to be competetive. But there's really no reason to push it when you're tracking and mixing, and you're likely doing more harm than good since that kind of thing can't be undone. -Duardo |
#12
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Re: Getting the best sound quality in PT
Carl- as soon as you get your new mini-me, I guarantee you will hear a huge improvement in the sound quality. I'm listening to a rough demo I just did of a band in one room tracked through my RNP preamps and new RME converter. I'm so happy with the sound quality I have a new outlook in recording in the digital world. Keep your levels lower in PT, and DO NOT overload your mix bus. Why don't you tell us exactly how you are mastering your stuff, than we can give you better feedback on this two bus issue. Good luck.
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Don't be a puppet on strings! |
#13
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Re: Getting the best sound quality in PT
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The Burner |
#14
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Re: Getting the best sound quality in PT
I would definitely suggest that you avoid any red
lights on the master fader ever! It's always bad! Other than that, run the volume as hot as you like, trust your ears, and no red lights! I have found a killer way to use the Waves L1 or L2 without distorting your mix. 1. Put L1 or L2 on the master fader with the desired dithering dialed in. 2. Put the Threshold at 0.0 and leave it there! (Dont slide it down or it distorts your mix) 3. Put the out ceiling at -0.3 4. Crank the master fader up until the attenuator on the L1 is kicking in on the peaks but not mor than 3db of limiting. 5. This gives you nice hot clean volumes and uses the L1 in a gentle way that doesn't distort your mix. For an example of this technique and the clean hot volume level I've achieved using this method, you can check any of my mixes: www.halftheworld.cc/music.html Good luck!
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Pete Weaver - Half The World www.halftheworld.cc - Will appeal to fans of Fuel, Evanessence, Staind, Sevendust. |
#15
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Re: Getting the best sound quality in PT
Carl, I went with the RME because I needed more than 8 channels of A/D, and the fact it has D/A 8 channels is an added bonus. I'm clocking to my RME for now, but in the future I might possibly pick up a Lucid Genx wordclock and use that as my master clock as the RME has BNC connectors and can be slaved to another clock if needed. I dont know though, the clock in the RME sounds pretty darn good to me. I can honestly say after hearing it with my own two ears the clock in the RME even made my pre recorded tracks in PT sound better. Everything just kind of tightened up and had better clarity. Now, as for tracking throught the RME into PT, sonic bliss my friend, at least compared to how tracks sound going through the analog digi inputs. You have to be smart and do your research, which it looks like you have. I was sick of lifeless sounds in PT, and decided that I would only concentrate on my signal chain. In my opinion, you need first to get better mics, preamps, than once that is in place, get the converter. I'm working with bands and I needed 8 channels for live tracking situations. There was no way I was going to buy a two channel converter and run two tracks through it and the rest through PT's analog inputs. Then I would be pulling my hair out trying to decide which tracks to put through the converter. RME is 8 channel so problem solved. Wheter you go, Apogee, Lucid, or RME your gonna be stoked on the sound. You really should check out the RNP, two channels of pro preamp for a price that is unheard of. I have two of them now, and they are simply amazing. Couple that w/ an RNC compressor, and you have a fantastic chain. If your only going to be recording a couple of channels at a time than go mini-me, if not go RME. Either way your moving in the right direction. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
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Don't be a puppet on strings! |
#16
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Re: Getting the best sound quality in PT
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-Duardo |
#17
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Re: Getting the best sound quality in PT
I don’t get that Pete.
Raising the master just increases the signal you’re sending to the L1. The L1 won't register any attenuation until you actually do pull down the threshold. |
#18
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Re: Getting the best sound quality in PT
Thanks everone for grreat responses. I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
H-Man, please see my comments amidst your quote: Quote:
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http://www.michauxmusic.com/ 3rd LP Record - In progress, coming soon! 2nd LP Record - http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/michaux2 1st LP Record - http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/michaux |
#19
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Re: Getting the best sound quality in PT
I'm trying to decide on new gear purchase. Until recently, I was thinking a good mic pre was my priority; something like an Avalon, Great River, Sytek, Vintech mic pre. With all the recent buzz about the new converters, I'm wondering if I'd be better off to invest in a converter.
I have a Presonus Digimax and Focusrite Penta, and wonder if a new converter will be a better investment. I already have a FRM RNC, and could probably afford a converter and the FRM RNP, which seems like a popular combo. I know I will get other preamps eventually; I'm just wondering about the best short term investment. Any advice on this? Thanks in advance, dave patterson Quote:
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