Logic Pro 8 Clipping, reference speakers

[asud]

Hi, so I mixed numerous tracks, and i recorded them cleanly without clipping, and mixed them so that none of them reached a red level, and my output level does not clip at all: I listened to it on normal volume on good speakers and it sounds pretty good, however when I listen to it quite loud on worse speakers, it begins to distort. I thought that if my levels never reached the clipping "red" area, I would not hear distortion... I imagine it gets more complex than this, but I'm curious about what my volume levels should be to avoid this. I lowered all the volumes to quite a low volume so this does not happen anymore, but then when adding the compressor to try to boost the volume to a decent level the distortion happens again...Not sure the best way to do this...

-Adam

 

[Markdvc]

Hi Asud

If I understand you correctly, your mix out of logic is not clipping - i.e. it peaks below 0 dbfs? In that case, presumably the distortion you are referrring to is occurring in your monitor system. How is the frequency balance in your mix? Perhaps you should look to see if it is particularly "weighted" in the bass area, and that is causing the small speaker system you refer to problems?

kind regards

Mark

 

[Wade]

"... but then when adding the compressor to try to boost the volume to a decent level the distortion happens again...Not sure the best way to do this..."

This sounds telling. Compression can often create audio artifacts that are perceived as distortion, or genuine distortion if used in conjuction with a limiter, or can simply reveal the shortcomings or 'uglier' moments in the original sound.

For instance, some attack or release settings will cause the audio to make clicks (which may be nasty - or desirable), or to pump, depending on the audio's nature. In short, a compressor is able to generate uncomfortable sounds from almost any audio source if set in an uncomplimentary fashion - and that fashion will be 100% circumstance specific, but the interaction between fast attack settings and transients in your audio are the most typical culprit.

Another issue is that some entirely natural bits of sound can become ugly when their dynamic is changed by the compressor, as it can emphasise or de-emphasise the unexpected. It can actually bring parts of the sound that aren't too cool to your attention.

Aaaaand, having said all that -- entirely fine sound can just distort on bad speakers or through a cheap amp, especially if turned up.

So from what you've said, I'd check your compression settings, and also check your speaker by playing other music through it. After that, then maybe it's time to check your mix for weirder issues.