Should You Worry About True Peaks?

Follow me on IG: josh.bartel
0:00 - Intro
0:11 - What are true peaks?
0:17 - What are intersample peaks?
1:09 - 3 reasons true peaks above 0 should be avoided
1:53 - How to avoid true peaks above 0
2:59 - Ceiling for streaming
3:31 - Pro masters that clip
4:48 - Outro

[@EdwinDekker71]

Good video, thanks. I've been mastering TP to -1 like a good boy but I guess it won't hurt to live dangerously and go to -.5....or even -.3 😬

[@Josh.Bartel]

Yeah I mean it is a safe level, especially if everything you work on is going to streaming and it’s not as if people listening to the music will care haha

[@Crossfire2003]

Great video! I agree. However, opinions differ. Most tracks on an original CD album, when ripped to wav, have true peaks above 0dB! (I even know tracks that peak above 0dB even in the digital format: Busta Rhymes - "Make It Clap" is one example of that).

[@franji0]

thanks josh

[@Josh.Bartel]

You’re very welcome 🙏🏻

[@b.smith42295]

Hey Josh. Do you have an opinion on Analog vs Digital vst mixing downsides? As in, if someone mixed 100% with vsts and zero hardware (no interface or anything, standard PC with DAW and usb headphones) how much of a disadvantage is that person at vs someone with professional boards, the best analog equipment and the knowledge how to use it. I don't mean disadvantage in terms of monitoring and feedback accuracy, which I know is crucial. But I mean the outcome of the mix quality and dynamics/overall cleanliness/translation throughout all devices. Sorry for the loaded question. Would be very interested to get your insight.

[@Josh.Bartel]

Hey Ben, great question. I think in terms of overall mix quality and ability to achieve a competitive mix, plugins are definitely everything you need. The real skill is knowing what moves to do and how to use them as effectively as possible. Nice analogue gear does have a certain texture/tone and can be more fun to work on, but for mixing I’d be quite happy working on plugins only. Analogue vs digital mixes will sound slightly different, but I wouldn’t say one is better than the other. However, for mastering I generally find it easier to get masters to sound how I want them to using analogue gear. Not every master, but most.

[@b.smith42295]

@@Josh.Bartel man thank you so much. This is great to know. Thanks Josh

[@jnrmnr]

what about soft clipping before limiting ?

[@Josh.Bartel]

I’d prefer to approach soft clipping as another tool in a mixing/mastering toolbox. Usually it takes away energy from transients and can make them softer and more smeared sounding. Only do it if it sounds good and it’s the sound you’re going for. I wouldn’t think of it as a method to avoid true peaks above 0, more of a technique to achieve a specific sound.

[@tyyleerr]

Why does my song sound bad on TikTok and Instagram?

[@ThreadedNail]

If you export at 32 bit I know from experience that those platforms dont handle that well.

[@tyyleerr]

@@ThreadedNail I don’t understand, please explain

[@ThreadedNail]

@@tyyleerr a 32bit wav file. I dont know if that would be your problem and Im not sure what DAW your using but there should be a way to change the bitrate on the export options. I hope this helps.

[@tyyleerr]

@@ThreadedNail Oh, I understand now. Thanks