MUST-USE Soft Clipping Techniques For LOUDER Mixes ✅

[@TRVladdy]

Dude, you said that you like softclipping more, yet you used standard clip without the soft clip saturator. In other words, you where hardclipping. (just to confirm, I did a quick null test and the soft clip classic, pro and hardclip options null perfectly unless you use the slider)

[@5piece]

You may be onto something as my understanding, based on my own listening tests and past review of the manual, is that each mode functions differently simply upon entering each mode. Specifically from the manual (here: www.siraudiotools.com/StandardCLIP_manual.php) "StandardCLIP has a switch to select several different clipping modes. The different clipping modes, represent different clip curves (as you see in the diagram), depend on the setting it can sound more or less saturated. Each mode has a different chracterisic." Also from the manual, regarding the Soft Clip Pro setting, which I've mostly stayed in here: "This mode has a slightly different characteristic. It compresses a dynamic range by half. A line in the function diagram shows the level at which the saturation begins. Dynamic integrity is maintained below this threshold. 25% - compresses the last 6 dB into 3 dB, and adds 3 dB 50% - compresses the last 12 dB into 6 dB, and adds 6 dB 75% - compresses the last 18 dB into 9 dB, and adds 9 dB 100% - compresses the last 24 dB into 12 dB, and adds 12 dB" Also, it says: "Soft Clip Saturator Intensity of soft-clipping function. You can adjust seamlessly between hard-clipping and soft saturated clipping." Based on this, being in Soft Clip Pro mode, but using 0% of the saturation slider, means I'm soft clipping but with a harder knee than say 100% saturated. Building on that, being in HardClip mode would produce a different sound and response than Soft Clip Pro mode, regardless of the saturation slider setting. To be fair, I have trusted the plugin to function as intended and its totally possible I have missed out on what you're saying in my explanation/demo or didn't realize that the two mode are basically the same if the saturation slider isn't used. I'm going to experiment more myself now that you brought it to my attention. Regardless, I don't think it negates the intended purpose or anything I've outlined here fully - the use cases still apply - BUT perhaps when using StandardCLIP specifically require more use of the soft clip saturator slider, particularly increasing it to produce a soft-knee type of response. Hope this helps/clears things up.

[@TRVladdy]

@5piece oh, don't get me wrong. I myself, actually prefer hardclipping. But a nulltest is undeniable. You can test it yourself by routing the same signal into two channels and reversing the polarity of one, meaning they will cancel each other perfectly since they are the same. If you then put standard clip onto both channels with the exact same settings, other than the mode changed, they will still null, which means they are mathematical the exact same. So despite anything the manual might say about slightlydifferentcurves, the modes are 100% equal unless you use the slider. But yea, the technique is still very valid and you using your ears to determine what plugin you want to "softclip" might suggest that hardclipping instead is something you prefer and should dive into. I myself like the way hardclipping seems to keep the perceived transients more intact.

[@MendingSilence]

I use fl studio so it n my mastering chain I would just use fruity soft clipper and on the fruity limiter just use the saturation knob ?

[@FredTRZ]

Yes you can do that. Fl soft clipper is really awesome, a recent 200usd plugin has been modeled on it ^^

[@Hive5ive]

Do you gain stage after you clip 1 or 2 dbs? Or do you leave it be? Also, on windows ( I know you're on mac), you can hit the shift key to override standard clips 2 increment thing and fine tune it to the number you want, just an fyi.

[@DavidEHarrisMusic]

In standard clip Input section what do I set the gain and clip levels for? After that in chain I have Ozone 9 with threshold of -6Db and ceiling of -3Db.

[@sinkorswim2564]

Great explanation. Thank you for this!

[@johnnykempt]

Great stuff. Perceived loudness and headroom. Keyboard is in the perfect position :)

[@5piece]

Yup, the big two! Thanks for tuning in 🚀

[@johnnykempt]

@@5piece Welcome brother

[@TraxtasyMedia]

If I use drums via MIDI, I assure myself that, everything is balanced in dynamics, by using this simple method: the higher an instrument is inside the frequency spectrum, the lower the velocity should be. This also applies for piano pieces. So you're already able to safe tons of headroom before even start mixing

[@5piece]

Makes sense! Definitely applies to the first level of gain staging, simply managing the dynamics of a performance. Taking it up a notch and handling levels, and doing advanced stuff like what I discussed in this video can help take it over the top! 🚀

[@EricTuba-t5v]

Great tutorial ❤. Well explained . I tried it and it worked perfectly. Thanks bro

[@5piece]

Thank you for watching!

[@ash19981]

Hey man thanks for this amazing video, wondering if you can help with this, I am using t racks classic clipper, when I use clipping in my mix buss channel do I need to gain match as well? Or do I just leave it as that

[@dopethenerd]

You should always gain match bro, I use the TR5 Classic Clipper too and gain matching definitely helps dial in the sound.

[@5piece]

The real answer is to use your ears and judgement to decide. While gain matching is a popular topic in audio engineering, the reality is, we don't always need to do it. I think its important to gain match at first to understand how your sound is being affected in order to make a calculated decision, and after doing so, SOMETIMES it makes sense to then drive the level and gain stage it to exactly where you like it and where it sounds good. With me, I typically do gain match (on average) BUT Sometimes I drive sounds higher, and other times I make them lower. I really don't think there is one answer you should always adhere to, I just think its about your taste, judgement and own personal experimentation at the end of day - regardless of what anyone says. Mixing "rules" are meant to be broken after all ;)

[@IcemanTheDj]

6:50 TIP for you: Inside the daw's mixer there is no cliping!!! Only the master output is important not to clip (when you export in 16 or 24 bit) !

[@5piece]

I know what you mean - you’re basically saying (if I’m not misunderstanding) that clipping / overloading an individual channel isn’t “bad” so long as the master output isn’t overloading. What I was trying to emphasize there is we can use a clipper to create headroom when things get hot, which therefore helps preserve headroom on the master output as well since it goes that way and combines with everything else in our mix. I realize I didn’t say it as explicitly as that obviously, but I think the logic applies. Perhaps a video dedicated to “properly overloading mixer channels without consequence” is in order 👀 Still a great tip especially for anyone who needs the insight! Thanks for sharing

[@IcemanTheDj]

@@5piece Sure, no problem! Good clip though!

[@5piece]

@@IcemanTheDjappreciate you! 🙏🏼

[@NUANCEZONRISE]

U know this is a great idea to add some grit on vocals, I normally use it on instruments, but ima try something new thanks to u🫡

[@xaronwhite5376]

I was waiting for this one thank you!

[@5piece]

I got you! Hope you enjoyed it 🙏🏼

[@mlady4783]

I been looking for this exact type of tutorial for months, excellent job explaining. thanks

[@5piece]

I got you! Glad it was helpful 🙏🏼

[@salvaloco13]

fire!!! clippin it up!

[@5piece]

Gotta do it! Hope you pick up a couple extra strategies here

[@KennyLauderdale]

Thanks

[@5piece]

You’re welcome! 🙏🏼

[@Godofpeace1]

But distrokid close my friend youtube comment session why?

[@5piece]

Not sure what you’re referring to exactly. I recommend your friend reaches out to DistroKid directly for help with their unique situation

[@DaemunRapz]

Distrokid didn't do that, KZbin did. If the content is on KZbin music then KZbin does not allow comments. DistroKid does not actively control any accounts on KZbin they do not have the legal grounds to do anything with your content other than release and if the service requests it of them remove content they have released.

[@THEOFFICIALRAM]

@@DaemunRapz I use to work for one of the YTM projects, when you release music through any distributor, your music gets put on YT Music and YT as an art track video (which are linked together). Your friend has to contact support to merge his page and the topic channel containing the art track video of song(s) they have released so that they match your friends releases on your friends page (basically cleaning and matching the friends page) .Art track videos are auto generated video uploads with your cover art playing the song. The song for streaming uploads on youtube music. go to "send feedback" when you click your channel pic on the top right if you're on a computer. Its very important that your friend uses distrokid to claim his official artist channel first before doing any of the above. It will expedite the process.