Stereo Tool

Hi, I am testing a few built-in-presets. Does anyone know which settings for post-/pre-amp and AGC would be best when I want to use Ohio Valley Smooth (normal and Blue version) with -23-LUFS-normalized tracks? In the end output should be around -11-/-12lufs, I guess this can be easily done via post-amp. But with pre-amp and AGC I am not sure what would be best for webradio (HD).

I couldn't find any information in forum or in the preset description.

First of all, you don't want to use the post-amp for determining the final loudness if you have the Advanced Clipper, since this is what it's for.

I could be mistaken, but I believe the rule of thumb is that unless otherwise stated, most compressors expect an input of -18 dB RMS/LUFS. Some compressor modes/presets are adaptive enough to take a wide range of inputs.

So for Ohio Valley Smooth Blue, I would raise the input (either on the I/O menu or in the pre-amp) by 5 dB to reach -18 LUFS. Then to lower the output to your desired level would require the Advanced Clipper drive to be lowered by -6 or -7 dB to reach -12 to -11 LUFS.

Use a similar method to determine the correct clipper drive for the other version.

Thanks MrKlorox!

Yeah I know that many prefer to reduce clipper. I also do it with post amp sometimes and it's mostly ok too for me. But I will test both.

And AGC stays like it is?

Target level is on -12dB, Drive at maximum +30 by default. Is this not too much?

To me, the AGC is part of the preset design, and shouldn't need to be changed as long as the input levels are in the right range. Some AGC presets take into account wide ranges of input levels, which this one may already do anyway. As long as your input is normalized to -23 or -18 LUFS or whatever, the Multibands are what do the heavy lifting.

NB: I'm not a professional, just a hobbyist, and as such I could be wrong. If so, please, somebody correct me.