[linux-audio-user] Fwd: [Jamin] Re: soft clip: Achieving Gain, inconsequential overloads

[R Parker]

Hi Dan,

--- Dan Harper <tech at danharper.org> wrote:
> I just stumbled across a great article on the
> "louder is better" theme.
> 
> It uses a great example, with analysis and
> comparisons.
> 
>
http://www.prorec.com/prorec/articles.nsf/articles/8A133F52D0FD71AB86256C2E005DAF1C
> 
> It may be helpful to include some of this in the
> Jamin docs also.

Should we write those docs in ALL CAPS? :) Thanks for
the pointer. In my experience and observations, many
artists want that louder sound.

The job that prompted this thread was an interesting
experience because the artist requested %20 volume
increase across the board. It made me nervous. After
listening to my masters, he called twice and sent an
email. In each message he expressed his complete
satisfaction with the new master.

Was the old dynamic master so bad that a new "loud"
master could be that much better? I don't think so. I
have to admit the new loud master is better. The
lesson behind this experience isn't entirely obvious
to me. There are so many variables in audio production
that one experience can't be a deciding factor.
Reguardless, for me, the jury is undecided.

I haven't listened to that Rush album but wouldn't
mind examining a song or two. Perhaps I'd conclude
that loud isn't always bad but bad mastering engineers
are.

Do we know who mastered the Rush album? You know, it
doesn't matter who did it. That person could be the
greatest mastering talent on the planet but someone
might have walked in and said, "you've got ten
minutes."

Bed time. Talk to you soon,

ron

> Dan
> 
> 
> 
> On Mon, 2004-04-12 at 06:16, R Parker wrote:
> > Hi,
> > 
> > Maybe some folks on this list have insites into
> the
> > following conversation between Steve and myself. I
> > need all the help I can get. The last three
> paragraphs
> > are a topic for which I am woefully ignorant.
> > 
> > > --- Steve Harris <S.W.Harris at ecs.soton.ac.uk>
> wrote:
> > > > On Sun, Apr 11, 2004 at 10:04:43 -0700, R
> Parker
> > > > wrote:
> > > > > Not sure but I probably mentioned something
> > > about
> > > > this
> > > > > several months ago. Steve, do you have a
> soft
> > > clip
> > > > > LADSPA plug? If yes, I think it should be a
> > > > candidate
> > > > > for adding to the output stage of JAMin.
> > > > 
> > > > There are some soft clip LADSPA plugins, but I
> > > dont
> > > > think any of them are
> > > > better than JAMin's "boost".
> >  
> > > The thing is my client has requested a %20
> increase
> > > in
> > > volume across the entire album. The first
> question
> > > is
> > > does he know what he's asking for. Well, he
> probably
> > > has a fair enough idea. He has compared the old
> > > master
> > > with stylistically similar million dollar
> masters
> > > and
> > > concluded the percentage to increase.
> > > 
> > > If anyone here has tricks for achieving gain, I
> need
> > > to hear about them. My bag ain't got alot in it.
> I
> > > basically cut dominant frequency either with
> > > compression or equalization and with the leveled
> off
> > > floor, achieve gain possible; input, compressor
> > > makeup, limiter input, boost and output. Of
> course
> > > then it's just a matter of tweaking ratios,
> > > thresholds, etc.
> > > 
> > > The trade off in general is less dynamics and
> more
> > > distortion with several deciables of increased
> > > volume.
> > > I love the work but this job is like a No Rules
> Cage
> > > Match. I might eventually win the title but it's
> a
> > > good thing I brought lunch and a first aid kit.
> > > 
> > > > I've heard that you can ignore peaks that only
> go
> > > > over 0dB for less than a
> > > > millisecond, but I've not experimented with
> it.
> > > 
> > > If that's the case, then I might have this job
> in
> > > the
> > > bag. I'm watching overloads at the input
> channels of
> > > my mixer flicker on and off. I've been trying
> very
> > > hard to have absolutely zero overload
> indications.
> > > 
> > > Any idea how to test this potential point of
> > > flexibility or how to push this limit? What am I
> > > watching for and how do I watch for it? This
> seems
> > > like a very interesting area of study. I've
> gotta do
> > > a
> > > dirt knap and then maybe google about or
> something.
> > > 
> > > ron
> > >  
> > > > - Steve 
> > > 
> > > 
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> >
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