Metering in Mixcraft

[bigaquarium]

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[Drdish007]

Hi,
I use the Voxengo SPAN plug-in because it has the K-system metering option. The Mixcraft meters appear to work as peak meters. I place the SPAN plug-in on my output bus, as the last plug-in. I have the free version and it works well.

- Myran

[Mark Bliss]

Peak. dBfs.

Ballistics? Vague graphic representation at best IMO. But I'm not sure that matters too much.

Specifications? if you mean Calibration, In the mixer view you get some metering scaling cues.

In the arranger view, 0dBfs should be approx. where the meter turns red, -18 is approx. where the meter turns yellow. (Actually I tested with a calibrated test tone and as I recall, it lines up right about where the default fader position is on the scale on the track view.)
*All approx. because they simply aren't really that precise...…

Could provide screen shots of the above later if it helps?

More info needed for better answers I think.

[jlouvar]

I don't know, hopefully Eric or Greg will respond in detail. But the meters are peak meters and the manual states input signals should be kept in the green to yellow/no red and master output shouldn't hit hard red clip indicator for best results.

[bigaquarium]

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[bigaquarium]

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[Mark Bliss]

the channel FX inserts are all post-fader, correct?-N

No. Pre-fader.

IE: If you insert a meter plug-in on the master bus, then change the fader setting, the meter doesn't accurately measure the master output.
This is why my master fader is left on 0 and I never use it.

[Mark Bliss]

Not sure exactly what the question is Nathan, but if it helps.....
I don't rely on the stock meters for much of anything. Recording level maybe sometimes.
I use meter plug-ins for increased accuracy for gain staging, mix-down, mastering etc.

[bigaquarium]

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[bigaquarium]

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[jlouvar]

Mark, which meter plugin do you use? Thanks

[bigaquarium]

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[Mark Bliss]

I’ve gotten as far as I can get without the theory so starting to learn from scratch.

Well thats no problem, but to give the best answers I need to know where to start!
For instance understanding the differences/relationships between old fashioned analog age dB and dBfs, then theres LU, and various other measurements of varying relevance.

Unfortunately I can’t join the K20 club yet because I’m on headphones!

Lost me there. Not sure what this means.

BTW/IMO all Katz really did was move the scale around. So 0dB wasnt really 0 anymore, but referencing some new target levels. The concept was useful for a short time in reference to the "loudness war" situation, but again IMO the situation has changed in a way that "moving the goal posts" really isnt necessary. But perhaps we are getting ahead of ourselves or I am misunderstanding the question?

Eg separate the channel and mixer faders.

Another For me. Dont know what you mean here.

By the way a pre fader insert option would be a helpful addition!

OK again, the problem arises because the inserts ARE pre-fader in this case.
Ideally (IMO) any current DAW should include a native master bus metering tool set that functions post fader, and includes true peak, RMS/LU measurements as well as the standard dBfs.
Would be a really good location for a mono toggle as well.... To check for mono compatability. Just sayin'

Mark, which meter plugin do you use? Thanks

Varies. suspect we'll come back around to that shortly.

[jlouvar]

Hmm, I don't know why you'd need/want more that one meter plugin, but okay.

[bigaquarium]

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