Apple Soundtrack Pro 2 - Manual (Page 288)

288 Chapter 8 Basic Mixing in Soundtrack Pro
Setting the Overall Project Volume Level
As you finalize a project mix, you set the overall project volume to the appropriate
level. Certain formats or methods of distribution may require that the project conform
to a particular maximum level. In general, you set the overall volume of the project to
the highest level at which no clipping occurs at any point in the project.
Clipping occurs when the digital audio signal exceeds the maximum level that can be
reproduced accurately. Unlike analog audio, digital audio is completely unforgiving of
clipping, which creates sharp distortion of the audio signal. Soundtrack Pro projects clip
whenever the output displayed in the level meters exceeds zero decibels (0 dB). It’s
important to eliminate clipping from projects before exporting the final mix. For more
information about digital distortion, see Appendix B, “
Audio Fundamentals ,” on page 463.
You can monitor audio output levels using the level meters in the Mixer, the Meters tab,
and in individual track headers. In the Mixer, each channel strip has level meters that
show the levels for that channel strip. In the Meters tab, the level meters show the
levels for all submixes assigned to physical output channels.
For more information about setting up physical outputs, see “ Setting the Audio Input
and Output ” on page 22.
The Meters tab includes additional controls and displays to help you maintain proper
audio levels and eliminate clipping.
As a project plays back, the levels in each channel change constantly with the rising
and falling of the audio signal. The level meters show these changes both as bars rising
to varying heights and as changes in color from green to yellow.
Level meters
Reset button
Peak Value and
Location display
6-channel meter 2-channel meter