Apple Soundtrack Pro User Manual download pdf (Page 138)

138 Chapter 6 Working in the Mixer

Setting the Overall Project Volume Level

As you finalize a project mix, you set the overall project volume to the appropriate

level. Certain formats or methods of distribution may require that the project conform

to a particular maximum level. In general, you set the overall volume of the project to

the highest level at which no clipping occurs at any point in the project.

Clipping occurs when the digital audio signal exceeds the maximum level that can be

reproduced accurately. Unlike analog audio, digital audio is completely unforgiving of

clipping, which creates sharp distortion of the audio signal. Soundtrack Pro projects

clip whenever the output displayed in the level meters exceeds zero decibels (0 dB). It’s

important to eliminate clipping from projects before exporting the final mix. For more

information about digital distortion, see Appendix C, “Audio Basics,” on page 287.

You can monitor audio output levels using the level meters in the Mixer, the Project

window, and the Meters tab. In the Mixer, each channel strip has stereo level meters

that show the levels for that channel strip. In the Project window and the Meters tab,

the level meters show the levels for the first output (Output 1). The Meters tab includes

additional controls and displays to help you maintain proper audio levels and

eliminate clipping.

As a project plays back, the levels in each stereo channel change constantly with the

rising and falling of the audio signal. The level meters show these changes both as bars

rising to varying heights and as changes in color from green to yellow.

In each stereo channel’s meter, a white horizontal bar displays the current signal level;

colored bars below the white bar display successive levels in a scale that rises from

green through yellow to orange as the signal increases. The meters peak at red when

the signal clips (rises above 0 dB).

Go buttons

Value and Location

display

Peak indicator

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Apple Soundtrack Pro User Manual Page 138