Safe to be a little hot in Pro-Tools?

[ao]

Hi all! I'm new to this site and have read a bunch of the posts and must say thank you for all of the awsome info!

Here's my question... So I have a digi001 going 8 digital and 8 analoge to a Yamaha 01V. I have noticed that the meters in Pro tools and the 01v are pretty inaccurate, even when using the PAZ meters in Wavez. I never peak anything when recording into digital, but when playing back it seems I can go a little red, be it coming out of PT or going into my 01v without hearing any distortion. My ears are pretty experienced at listening, and I know just because I can't hear it, doesn't mean it's not there. Is it ok to be slightly going in the red like that, in Pro- tools and into the digital board if I'm not hearing any clips or distortion, or should I not even be going that hot to begin with? Thanx in advance for your help! :s: -ao

 

[Mundox]

Some boards let you decide the level you want to see the red, so in this case your 01V might be set to register OD led 6db below 0 or something.I would change that to a higher value and beware of the reds. Overall red is no good when it comes to digital audio.

 

[Alécio Costa - Brazil]

lots of people say and I also believe that PT ( experience with TDM systems) has its own sound and sounds better if you track around -6dB. Leave some headroom for further eq, comp, etc etc.

 

[Michael Fossenkemper]

all meters have their own little thing going on. Some red at -.5, -.1, 0, etc... in general, keep below the red. Even if your down 1 db from 0, it's ok. I've done a lot of experimenting on clipped and non clipped mixes. I can always get a non clipped mix to be hotter and sound better than the same mix clipped. working with a clipped mix is like working with a vocal with all the effects printed on in. you limit your options.

 

[ao]

Guys thanx alot for your responses :tu: . I will try to see if I can turn down the peak of the meter and avoid clips. - ao

 

[Michaelm]

I had to jump in here - I too have noticed (though I'm not using PT, but am recording digital) that often, a signal will appear to clip but will sound fine to my ears. I even solo it and it sounds fine. But every time this happens, I have some kind of problem at mixdown - it may be small and be able to be solved, but it's always there. For a long time, I didn't even know it WAS to do with the very slightly clipped signals, but it was. These particular little problems completely stopped when the clipping did.