Quote Originally Posted by mcphillips View Post
Donovan and everyone else reading this thread, pay very close attention to Paul's advice. While I realize his analysis is over a lot of heads, it's well worth spending the time to understand what he is saying. Donovan, you are free to follow his advice about maximum levels. Reducing the peak level on your files by 1.5dB will not alter the tonality, but it may save you some clipping. In fact, it would be helpful if Paul would analyze one of your released MP3 files.

Paul, what software are you using to do the analysis? It's useful to separate the men from the boys. I will confess that I am guilty of normalizing and hard limiting wave files to levels higher than -1.5 dB. That procedure changes today. The additional 1.5 dB does not really add to the loudness of the audio, and it does contribute to the clipping and other undesirable results from MP3 conversions.

Guys, this stuff is good. Embrace it. Once you do, you will be leagues above the "on fire" and "answerman" guys when it comes to professionalism in audio quality.

If you just can't get the hang of what Paul is saying, just normalize or hard limit your audio files to -1.5 dB instead of 0dB. It will LOOK different in your software, but you will get used to it.
I made the adjustment last night for episode 26 of my show. Though I can't hear a difference, I do feel better watching the levels never go above -1.5db, which is what I wanted in the first place.

The other thing I'm going to test is my process. I apply the multi-band compressor first and then apply the dynamics processor that has my own settings. I'm going to switch it up and see how it sounds if I apply the dynamics processor first and then the multi-band compressor. I think I've done that in the past, but I need to try it and hear it again to be sure. As I said, I'm always willing to learn more!