Apple Logic Pro X - Manual (Page 489)

Chapter 16 Mix a project 489
Set channel strip volume and check levels
Peak level display and signal clipping
The peak level display is a numerical display located above the level meter. It updates during
playback to show the peak level reached, after the entire signal has been played through to the
end, and provides a guide that should be used to set the Volume fader.
Peak level display showing
signal clipping
Volume fader
Level meter
Signal clipping occurs when a signal that is too loud is fed through the output channel strip,
thereby exceeding the limit of what can be accurately reproduced, resulting in distorted sound.
The value shown in the peak level display lights red when the signal clips. This part of the peak
level display is called the clipping indicator.
Note: It’s not an issue if individual channel strips show evidence of clipping, as long as the
output channel strip—the summed level of all channel strips in the signal flow—does not
indicate clipping.
To avoid clipping, you need to bring down the Volume fader by the same value that is shown in
red in the peak level display. For more information, see
Set channel strip volume levels .
Avoid clipping
1 Observe the value shown in the peak level display.
Peak level display
Volume fader
Level meter
In the figure, 1.7 dB is shown in the peak level display when the Volume fader is set to 2.2 dB.
2 Drag the Volume fader down to a value of 0.5 or so.
Tip: You may find, however, that a Volume fader value of −1.2 sounds best in the context of the
overall mix, and clips only once (by 0.3 dB) during playback. If this is the case, it’s nothing to
worry about. Use your ears rather than your eyes as a guide.