Stuck with a clipping track...

[Sebastian Holtzer]

Not sure to understand what the Youlean make more than S1 Level Meter.

Ok then if i understand you well S1 Level Meter only show the short term LUFS one can find on the Youlean meter right ?
But then why is it written "INT" like integrated near the LUFS on the S1 Level Meter please ?
And are we agree to say that the LUFS that matters is the integrated one ? (plus the True Peak Max which is already present under the TP of the S1 Level Meter isn'it and i have all it matters right ?)

Does someone know if one can configure (hence make some change) the litlle plugin preview on each strip channel please ?

Using a level meter is a great approach, and you are absolutely correct that the LUFS is Integrated as measurement. For your specific issue, a simple channel preset—with a level meter placed at the very beginning of the signal chain—is all you really need. You can then monitor the True Peak (and overall loudness) at that point. By using the channel trimmer or adjusting the output level of the source (such as a synthesizer or audio clip), you can prevent clipping and ensure your entire mix is properly gain-staged from the start. This makes a significant difference: instead of having faders scattered all over the place (some pushed way up, others pulled way down), your levels remain much more consistent, allowing for a more precise and nuanced mixing process.

In the Inspector’s "Audio Event" section, the volume setting for an audio clip actually supports two decimal places—even if only one is displayed. For example, if you need to set a value of +1.56 dB, you can simply enter it; the software will apply the exact value, even if the display only shows "+1.5dB." I find this incredibly useful—it saves you from needing an extra "mix tool" plugin when you need to make adjustments or work with long takes that require consistent levels throughout.

The level meter even includes a built-in correlation meter. That said, I would still recommend adding a dedicated phase meter to your preset, as you might later add insert effects that affect the stereo width. This allows you to check for mono compatibility—both at the source and at the end of the channel strip.

Unfortunately, you have to open the Level Meter plugin in order to configure it for the mini-view in the channel itself. It seems PreSonus overlooked that.

Additionally, I highly recommend checking out "trueBalance" by Sonible. It provides a clear, intuitive overview of what’s working, what isn’t, and what`s enough and what might be missing in your mix. I’ve found it to be excellent—it’s simple and very easy to read and that`s what i really needed.

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A standard VU meter also gets the job done, though the one from Klanghelm certainly offers a few more features. I can’t say whether it’s actually more precise. I have the one from PreSonus, and it’s perfectly adequate for my needs.

To briefly revisit the topic of mixing into a limiter on the main output from the very start: I’m concerned that this might tempt a beginner—unintentionally—to push the limiter too hard, thereby destroying the dynamics. I, for one, would have been a hopeless case in that regard, so I’m quite glad I never picked up that habit. I do understand now, however, that it’s ultimately a matter of being mindful. That said, I’ve adopted the opposite approach, which I think is perfectly fine, too.

***
>Translated with Google<

 

[tulamide]

When you say "never exceeds 0 dbfs", do you mean i just have to NEVER clip the Master Main Out and i am done ?

Is 0dbFS equals to 0 True Peak Max by the way please ?

As always, there's more to it, but basically: yes. Only sound that exceeds 0 dBFS on the master out gets ill-formed in all the ways you don't want.

However in most cases, where you create for some platform for distribution, a lot of other requirements apply. Like -12 LUFS and -1 dBTP or similar. So, always master with a LUFS meter and make sure to achieve the goals.

EDIT: ...and no, 0 dBFS is not equal to 0 dBTP. Imagine two sample points being connected by a line. This line will always be curved (due to how a DAC recreates analog waves from digital sample points). Now, when two points are at 0 dBFS, the curve between them can easily exceed 0 dBFS. That's why you could have a scenario, where dBFS peaks at 0 but dBTP at +1 or +2. You will always want to have at most 0 dBTP.

 

[Grace de Richebourg]

Sorry for my questions but i was wondering, if i do never clip the Master Main Out does it mean i dont even need to put a limiter in the end of my chain to prevent any clipping over 0 please ?

Using a level meter is a great approach, and you are absolutely correct that the LUFS is Integrated as measurement. For your specific issue, a simple channel preset—with a level meter placed at the very beginning of the signal chain—is all you really need. You can then monitor the True Peak (and overall loudness) at that point. By using the channel trimmer or adjusting the output level of the source (such as a synthesizer or audio clip), you can prevent clipping and ensure your entire mix is properly gain-staged from the start. This makes a significant difference: instead of having faders scattered all over the place (some pushed way up, others pulled way down), your levels remain much more consistent, allowing for a more precise and nuanced mixing process.

In the Inspector’s "Audio Event" section, the volume setting for an audio clip actually supports two decimal places—even if only one is displayed. For example, if you need to set a value of +1.56 dB, you can simply enter it; the software will apply the exact value, even if the display only shows "+1.5dB." I find this incredibly useful—it saves you from needing an extra "mix tool" plugin when you need to make adjustments or work with long takes that require consistent levels throughout.

The level meter even includes a built-in correlation meter. That said, I would still recommend adding a dedicated phase meter to your preset, as you might later add insert effects that affect the stereo width. This allows you to check for mono compatibility—both at the source and at the end of the channel strip.

Unfortunately, you have to open the Level Meter plugin in order to configure it for the mini-view in the channel itself. It seems PreSonus overlooked that.

Additionally, I highly recommend checking out "trueBalance" by Sonible. It provides a clear, intuitive overview of what’s working, what isn’t, and what`s enough and what might be missing in your mix. I’ve found it to be excellent—it’s simple and very easy to read and that`s what i really needed.

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For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

A standard VU meter also gets the job done, though the one from Klanghelm certainly offers a few more features. I can’t say whether it’s actually more precise. I have the one from PreSonus, and it’s perfectly adequate for my needs.

To briefly revisit the topic of mixing into a limiter on the main output from the very start: I’m concerned that this might tempt a beginner—unintentionally—to push the limiter too hard, thereby destroying the dynamics. I, for one, would have been a hopeless case in that regard, so I’m quite glad I never picked up that habit. I do understand now, however, that it’s ultimately a matter of being mindful. That said, I’ve adopted the opposite approach, which I think is perfectly fine, too.

***
>Translated with Google<

Thanks a lot Sebatian !

Yes i use a lot those inspector clip gain already ^^

But you say i need to place the level meter at the very beginning of the chain ? Is it a typing error because i've been told the opposite...

 

[Sebastian Holtzer]

Sorry for my questions but i was wondering, if i do never clip the Master Main Out does it mean i dont even need to put a limiter in the end of my chain to prevent any clipping over 0 please ?

Thanks a lot Sebatian !

Yes i use a lot those inspector clip gain already ^^

But you say i need to place the level meter at the very beginning of the chain ? Is it a typing error because i've been told the opposite...

There is nothing wrong to have an other one at the end of your chain at the channel but you have the visuals from your Fader as you can see. But it would be helpful to have at least another one at the Post-Inserts of your Main-Out or the Listening Bus. Think about it this way: Is the Output Level clipping at +24 True Peak i think it will fuck up every PlugIn in your chain on that Channel. So IMO it's a must have as the first Insert to measure what's coming in.

You must at least care about the TP's on your Main-Out before exporting and so on note only because they convert your files. -1.5 to -2 should be fine but at this point i would ask the engineers here. If you reach -12 LUFS while having -1.5TP and your mix sounds great as you like without having a Limiter used i think you don't need one, just saying.

 

[SwitchBack]

Thanks a lot for the info !
But to be honest as you may see im very bad in term of sound engineering so i dont even understand how it is handier to use your klangheim.

Two questions;

Is S1 Level Meter reliable or does it show unaccurate measurements please ?
Does someone know if one can configure (hence make some change) the litlle plugin preview on each strip channel please ?

You are on Studio One so when you click once on an insert then the preview window (with limited view and controls) opens, but when you double-click on an insert then the full window with all the controls for that insert opens (in Studio Pro it's the other way around). You can't configure the preview windows and you don't really need them either. There's nothing in there that isn't in the full control window too.

As for the meters, in theory you don't need any of those either. You can do the mixing by ear and if it starts to sound distorted and clipping lights come on then your mix is too loud and you have to turn something or everything down a bit. The meters are only there as a visual help should you need it.

However, you must never export a mix that clips (as in: clipping lights and warnings show) because clipping is trouble. There are two reasons for clipping:

1. Your mix is too loud. This one is the easiest of the two to fix: Turn something or everything down a bit and reset the clipping lights by clicking on them.
2. Your mix is now too quiet but there's still clipping. This is because there are peaks in the signal. Peaks don't add much to the loudness but they can still be higher than the maximum level allowed for exports (top of the meter aka. 0dBFS). Once you fix the peaks you can turn the mix up again, and repeat. Fixing peaks is a bit of an art.

A limiter shaves off everything above the level you set (maybe with a tiny bit left), but in doing so it also distorts the signal. Limiting an already loud mix will make it sound 'squashed' so you don't want that. Limiting a quiet mix with peaks should in theory only shave off the peaks. As I said peaks don't add much to the loudness but they do add subtle 'liveliness/twinkle' to it. The art is to remove the most 'clippy' peaks without losing that subtle liveliness. A limiter on the main mix will attack all peaks, but maybe most peaks stem from one or two tracks. In that case a limiter on those tracks allows less aggressive limiting on the main mix, to preserve more twinkle. So fixing peaks (for a louder mix) is a bit of an art.

Hope this helps

NB. Other than limiters there are also compressors. Compressors reduce the difference between quiet and loud in tracks and mixes. Just wanted to mention it as working with compressors is a bit of an art too.

 

[Vocalpoint]

Sorry for my questions but i was wondering, if i do never clip the Master Main Out does it mean i dont even need to put a limiter in the end of my chain to prevent any clipping over 0 please ?

Correct. This is the desired end game 99.9% of the time.

As I mentioned a few pages back - all my mixes never exceed -3.0 dbFS - so no limiter is ever needed.

I purposely preserve that 3 db of headroom for mastering - which gives me room to create the final deliverable that WILL use a limiter and other finalizing tools (EQ etc)

While I do create my final "mixes" via the actual Mix/Arrangement view in Studio Pro - that is considered "Phase 2" work over here.

Phase 3 work (Project Module) is where I create all my final deliverables.

VP

 

[Sebastian Holtzer]

@Grace de Richebourg Just a question: Have you tried out the new PlugIn "WarpDrive"? Maybe you can rebuild that Sound with it. Maybe its still possible with other Distortion Units or even with just a lot of Drive.

Can you show us an example, maybe a video or a soundfile of that sound or better giving us your detailed settings on that channel with all inserts. Maybe the guys can even fix that here.

 

[Vocalpoint]

@Grace de Richebourg Just a question: Have you tried out the new PlugIn "WarpDrive"? Maybe you can rebuild that Sound with it. Maybe its still possible with other Distortion Units or even with just a lot of Drive.

A user will need a subscription for that. Some of us have that and some do not.

VP

 

[tulamide]

Sorry for my questions but i was wondering, if i do never clip the Master Main Out does it mean i dont even need to put a limiter in the end of my chain to prevent any clipping over 0 please ?

Yes. That's why I described clipping in detail and why it doesn't happen in the digital realm. Even if you have 20 channels that are all like +6dB over, and a master out that would have been +20 dB over, but you used the volume slider to bring it to below 0 dBFS, you wouldn't need any tools on the master. It is a good and valid signal for the analog realm.

But that is a theoretical approach. In reality, you have to think of a lot more (most of it being mentioned in this thread), like dynamic range, frequency bands and a homogeneous mix of all your instruments, so that they don't fight against each other. If all, you are concerned about right now, is to not clip the master, not actual mixing or mastering, then just lower the volume on the main out and you're fine.

 

[John Vere]

The industry standard is now -1.0 db as a “Safe” target. The LUFS are more important. It depends on the distribution service at what that is but generally around-14 LUFS. and Meters like You Lean have presets. The You lean is well noted for its accuracy. Studio one might be just as accurate Ive never tested this.

And take note that every compressor has different settings and different degrees of cleanliness to colour. That so call analog warmth is just marketing speak for adding harmonic content. And that needs to be scrutinized as well.