Do you apply limiting to your finished recordings

[Al.C]

I was watching a DVD on recording and mixing and the fellow recommended using a limiter on the final mix to bring up the overall volume. I am kind of new to this home recording/mixing process so I am curious as to what you "experts" out there do, how much limiting do you apply, do you use it all??

I took the version of "THe Thrill is Gone" that ALF and I did and applied limiting to the final mix. I arbitrarily used 12 db. The audio wave looked imressive, the peaks were gone and the main portion was significantly larger. Listening to both versions (especially back to back) seemed to really show a difference. The general volume is louder and the backing is much clearer, espeically in the verses.
If you are interested here are the limited and "unlimited" versions (can you hear a difference?)
http://home.comcast.net/~al_az/Thrill-limited.mp3
http://home.comcast.net/~al_az/Thrill.mp3

 

[Gunner]

Re: Do you apply limiting to your finished recordings

Funny you shuld mention this, bro...I only just started using limiting on my final mixes, myself. I start with 3db and then work up until I work out where I start to "hear" the pumping and breathing then I back down a bit.....certainly seems to make things work out better

 

[RushOfBlood]

Re: Do you apply limiting to your finished recordings

yeah at least -.1 db just to keep from clipping

 

[Marinblues]

Re: Do you apply limiting to your finished recordings

Absolutely, I use both limiting and compression in the final mix. However, I try to be carefull when using them, since although they improve the general "loudness" of the clip, they can also "squash" the dynamics of the music.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Do you apply limiting to your finished recordings

I am redoing one of our own compressors for linelevel signal....
I sometimes have trouble with backtracks that are way to loud.

 

[AmirH]

Re: Do you apply limiting to your finished recordings

I use it the other way sometimes to bring the level down. My recordings sometimes come out naturally too loud and surge the stereo and stuff. I've brought the level up once too though. Useful too. I never use compression after the file has been mixed down though as it really makes it sound dull IMO.

 

[DirrtyCraig]

Re: Do you apply limiting to your finished recordings

Nice track and Playing man!

Yeah I can hear a little difference for sure. Can anyone save me some manual time and tell how to do that in Cubase? I'm a newbie recording guy and would like to give that a shot as my Mp3's are clipping all over the place... listen to my problem..
http://hair-metal.com/tunes/Dirrty_Scary.mp3

When I monitor in Cubase it sounds fine, but when I export to mp3, theres what I get,, why? Deaths Acre, how do you do that?