ProChannel is upstream of the faders. So the clip lights indicate that the signal going IN to the PC module is too hot. If it's the first module in the chain, then only thin you can do is turn down the channel gain, as that's the only thing that comes before the PC, in a standard setup.
 
The other way this could occur would be if your PC was set to be post FX bin, and something in the effects bin was making the signal too hot at that point.
 
Your fader level and channel output meters have no bearing on this whatsoever. They're downstream of the problem.

John T
ProChannel is upstream of the faders. So the clip lights indicate that the signal going IN to the PC module is too hot. If it's the first module in the chain, then only thin you can do is turn down the channel gain, as that's the only thing that comes before the PC, in a standard setup.
 
The other way this could occur would be if your PC was set to be post FX bin, and something in the effects bin was making the signal too hot at that point.
 
Your fader level and channel output meters have no bearing on this whatsoever. They're downstream of the problem.

 

Understood.  I just don't get WHY it goes red if this synth going in is at -7db peak.  Why would -7db peak be too hot?

Also note that the PC lights aren't clipping indicators. Green means "this module is performing as it should", yellow means "Uh, oh, getting a bit hot, sudden spikes might be a problem", red means "I am almost definitely now operating sub-optimally".
 

alewgro
 

Understood.  I just don't get WHY it goes red if this synth going in is at -7db peak.  Why would -7db peak be too hot?

Could be. But first, how do you know it's peaking at -7db?

John T

alewgro
 

Understood.  I just don't get WHY it goes red if this synth going in is at -7db peak.  Why would -7db peak be too hot?

Could be. But first, how do you know it's peaking at -7db?

I have ToneBoosters EBULoudness at the end of the Prochannel, but remember... nothing in the prochannel is effecting the sound.  I just turned on the EQ but its flat.

alewgro

John
Back off means lower the signal. Unity is where a fader is place and there is no boost or attenuation. Zero gain or reduction. Double clicking on a fader will put it at unity. 

Hi John,
 
Well, not sure WHY it wants me to back off though.  Forgive me, I am not a true audio expert yet.  The input on this string section peaks no higher than -7db.    I thought only if you are nearing the clipping point should this go red.
 
Thank You,
Alewgro

I'm not sure either. I wouldn't worry about it though.  Again if you don't here a problem then there is most likely no problem to hear. The color could be orange not red but red enough to look as if it was red. 

John

alewgro

John
Back off means lower the signal. Unity is where a fader is place and there is no boost or attenuation. Zero gain or reduction. Double clicking on a fader will put it at unity. 

Hi John,
 
Well, not sure WHY it wants me to back off though.  Forgive me, I am not a true audio expert yet.  The input on this string section peaks no higher than -7db.    I thought only if you are nearing the clipping point should this go red.
 
Thank You,
Alewgro

I'm not sure either. I wouldn't worry about it though.  Again if you don't here a problem then there is most likely no problem to hear.

I guess... i just get scared that something about my input signal is wrong and will lead to a bad mix.  thx!

Right, fair enough.
 
- 7db is pretty loud. I've just done a quick test with a snare drum sample, and set up exactly as you describe, with a -7db peak level going into a flat EQ on the hits, I get reds.

In terms of "leading to a bad mix", that's a definite possibility. What other instruments are in this track? You're not going to have a lot of headroom at the master bus if you're starting out with signals that loud.
 
To give a for-instance, on a standard guitar band mix, I usually start with the kick and the snare somewhere around -15db each. This leaves me plenty headroom to play with as I add more tracks to the mix, and no plugins are harmed in the making of the record.
 

John T
In terms of "leading to a bad mix", that's a definite possibility. What other instruments are in this track? You're not going to have a lot of headroom at the master bus if you're starting out with signals that loud.
 
To give a for-instance, on a standard guitar band mix, I usually start with the kick and the snare somewhere around -15db each. This leaves me plenty headroom to play with as I add more tracks to the mix, and no plugins are harmed in the making of the record.
 

Ah ok, i was going to reduce the gains later on.  These softsynths by default are SOOO loud, you know?  I wonder why they do that.
When you say you start the kick/snare around -15db each, is that peak or RMS?   

What do you do if you wanna bounce a mix for the car?  It will be so low.
 
Thanks,
Alewgro