Clipping Peaks for Audio

Robert-Turner wrote on 4/12/2021, 6:34 PM

I am running Sound Forge Audio Studio 12.6 and I'm having difficulty with the Dynamics module. In SoundForge 10, I was able to set the parameters to clip the peaks of audio to a specific level, i.e. -1dB, -2dB, -3dB, etc., without affecting the overall gain of the audio. Here are the parameters I used in SF10 to clip the peaks to -1dB: Threshold: -1; Ratio: Infinity; Attack: 0mS; Release: 500mS and I was able to save these settings to "-1dB Clip". I saved similar Dynamics presets for leveling the peaks all the way down to -6dB and selected the appropriate clip preset based on the peak values in the audio. I cannot figure out how to do this in AudioStudio12.6. Also, I am confused on how to save personal presets in the Dynamics module... it's somewhat cumbersome probably because I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. My computer is a Lenovo T5, Intel i7 (8 core) processor running on a 1TB SSD with 16Gb RAM. Please help. Thank You.

Comments

emmrecs wrote on 4/13/2021, 3:32 AM

@Robert-Turner

Welcome to the Magix user to user forums.

Mention of "clipping the peaks" is, I think, a little confusing, since "clipping" (in audio terms) is a description of the peak either introducing some slight distortion, or of that peak being deliberately "cut of" such that the visual aspect of the waveform actually has a flat top, often described as "limiting"!

However, I suspect you mean neither of these, if I've read your post correctly. I think what you are wanting to do is to set an absolute peak audio level, above which your audio will not go, but want to retain the full dynamic range of the signal.

If so, that process is most commonly called "Normalization", raising (or lowering) the whole dynamic range of all the audio, such that its "loudest" point, its peak, is at a user-determined level. You can find this in SFAS 12.6 under Process>Normalize, where you can set that peak to be whatever you want it to be.

HTH

Jeff
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Robert-Turner wrote on 4/13/2021, 12:45 PM

Hello Jeff,

You "nailed" the process when you mentioned the term "flat-top". That's exactly what I want to do. I think a graphic representation of what I'm actually doing in SoundForge 10 is appropriate. Please review the attached JPEG's and see how I manipulate the audio with the Dynamics settings I mentioned in my first post. I have these images setup in PowerPoint and they are much more descriptive, but I can't send you the .PPS. Hopefully, just looking at the images will help. I would be very interested if there is a way to do this in AudioStudio 12.6.

Thanks.

rraud wrote on 4/13/2021, 1:19 PM

Peak normalization does not change the dynamics it merely raises (or lowers) the file's amplitude based on the file's highest highest peak. OTOH, some RMS normalization proecessers can alter the dynamics, if so set.. However I do not know if AS (Audio Studio) has the RMS option.

If your are looking to make a file louder or even out the volume, look for a 'peak limiter/volume maximizer'. The legacy 'Wave Hammer' comes to mind which is a two stage plug, a comp/limiter and stage two maximizer. However I do not think AS includes that either, and some folks do not like the vintage 'leveler' sound of it and/or (commonly) abuse it. Many folks like the free VST plug-in LoudMax which is very basic (threshold and peak ceiling) and is relatively devoid of character (good and bad). There are many others available for free and otherwise.. search.