TOPIC:

I added a PEQ filter with boosts of up to 6 dB at 4 points. Do I need to lower the overall input level to avoid digital clipping within the Flex or does it already have enough digital headroom that I don’t need to worry about this with such modest boosts? If I need action, what’s the best way to determine the exact correct level (generate a 0 dB test signal somehow)?

Keep in mind that I’m only talking about digital clipping within the Flex. I have no issue with clipping my analog system downstream of the Flex because I never turn up the volume loud enough for that to be a possibility.

Whether there is headroom will depend on the input signals. If you're using digital inputs there will be examples with zero headroom whereas if you're using an analogue input there might be headroom depending on the source.

For the attenuation to apply you want to look at the highest boost of the sum of all filters, which may be higher or lower than the maximum boost of the individual filters. You can see this in REW if you're using it or in the plugin.

Thanks, I’m using digital inputs. How do I find the highest boost of the sum of all filters in the plugin?

Pojz wrote:

Thanks, I’m using digital inputs. How do I find the highest boost of the sum of all filters in the plugin?

Look at the graph in the PEQ window. If you mouseover the curve it will even show you the values.

Ultrasonic wrote:

Pojz wrote:

Thanks, I’m using digital inputs. How do I find the highest boost of the sum of all filters in the plugin?

Look at the graph in the PEQ window. If you mouseover the curve it will even show you the values.

So looking at this screenshot from another thread, where would I find the sum? I can see the highest point for each individual filter but don’t know where to look for the overall sum.
www.minidsp.com/forum/software-support/1...idsp-2x4-hd1-plug-in
 

Pojz wrote:

Ultrasonic wrote:

Pojz wrote:

Thanks, I’m using digital inputs. How do I find the highest boost of the sum of all filters in the plugin?

Look at the graph in the PEQ window. If you mouseover the curve it will even show you the values.

So looking at this screenshot from another thread, where would I find the sum? I can see the highest point for each individual filter but don’t know where to look for the overall sum.
www.minidsp.com/forum/software-support/1...idsp-2x4-hd1-plug-in

 

If you have all of the filters active then what you see IS the sum, like in the example you linked to. The only limitation being if the sum is higher than the range of the graph as in that example, but that's almost certainly a bad idea to begin with.

I know what the highest boost I have at any single point is, 6 dB. So does that mean I have to reduce my input level 6 dB? But what if I had 10 different boosts of 6 dB with wide Q, versus a single boost of 6 dB with narrow Q? Wouldn’t those result in different overall levels?

Pojz wrote:

I know what the highest boost I have at any single point is, 6 dB. So does that mean I have to reduce my input level 6 dB? But what if I had 10 different boosts of 6 dB with wide Q, versus a single boost of 6 dB with narrow Q? Wouldn’t those result in different overall levels?

You want to know the maximum at any point with all filters summed. As you allude to with your example this is not he same as the peak boost of any individual filter.

I’m sorry I’m so naive about all this, but can you or anyone else point out to me exactly where on the PEQ window or graph I can figure out what the overall maximum is with all the filters summed and then how to translate that to the correct input level reduction?

Pojz wrote:

I’m sorry I’m so naive about all this, but can you or anyone else point out to me exactly where on the PEQ window or graph I can figure out what the overall maximum is with all the filters summed and then how to translate that to the correct input level reduction?

If you have them all selected this is what you see. The example from the thread you linked to showed an example of this. No single filter looks like the wiggly line shown - that is multiple simple filters combined.

If you post a screenshot of what you see it your PEQ window it may help me to help you.

Ultrasonic wrote:

Pojz wrote:

I’m sorry I’m so naive about all this, but can you or anyone else point out to me exactly where on the PEQ window or graph I can figure out what the overall maximum is with all the filters summed and then how to translate that to the correct input level reduction?

If you have them all selected this is what you see. The example from the thread you linked to showed an example of this. No single filter looks like the wiggly line shown - that is multiple simple filters combined.

If you post a screenshot of what you see it your PEQ window it may help me to help you.

When get back home later today, I’ll take screenshot and post it. Thanks so much for your help.

Pojz wrote:

Ultrasonic wrote:

Pojz wrote:

I’m sorry I’m so naive about all this, but can you or anyone else point out to me exactly where on the PEQ window or graph I can figure out what the overall maximum is with all the filters summed and then how to translate that to the correct input level reduction?

If you have them all selected this is what you see. The example from the thread you linked to showed an example of this. No single filter looks like the wiggly line shown - that is multiple simple filters combined.

If you post a screenshot of what you see it your PEQ window it may help me to help you.

When get back home later today, I’ll take screenshot and post it. Thanks so much for your help.

I was thinking you had the software open in front of you. Just read back through what I posted above when you do and hopefully it will just make sense  .

Pojz wrote:

Do I need to lower the overall input level to avoid digital clipping within the Flex

 

No, you don't. Just use the volume knob.

speakee wrote:

Pojz wrote:

Do I need to lower the overall input level to avoid digital clipping within the Flex


 

No, you don't. Just use the volume knob.

You're absolutely right that making sure the master volume doesn't exceed the attenuation required by the peak boost will achieve the same as applying a fixed attenuation within the plugin. This is what I do myself actually.

Ultrasonic wrote:

speakee wrote:

Pojz wrote:

Do I need to lower the overall input level to avoid digital clipping within the Flex



 

No, you don't. Just use the volume knob.

You're absolutely right that making sure the master volume doesn't exceed the attenuation required by the peak boost will achieve the same as applying a fixed attenuation within the plugin. This is what I do myself actually.

I don’t understand. I thought if you boost a 0 dB digital signal within the Flex, that could cause digital clipping independently of your analog output volume.