FabFilter User Forum
Pro-Q Output Level Meter Indicator Always Clipping
Dear Fabfilter (Floris & Frederik):
I've noticed that Pro-Q Output Level Meter is constantly clipping and going into the red even though my signal does not exceed 0 dB on my Logic and/or Maschine individual channel strips.
I went as for as totally muting the individual channels and Pro-Q still displays this behavior.
Is there a reason for this?
Thank you & have a great day!
Fabfilter User — Apr 20, 2014
I have the same issue in ProTools and would like to know if it's just a bug or something else.
Is it inter-sample peaks maybe?
That is very odd. The Pro-Q meter should just work the same as the channel meter, if you don't have any plugins after Pro-Q, and if the level fader for the channel is set to exactly 0 dB.
Pro-Q doesn't measure intersample peaks, this is a feature of Pro-L alone.
Cheers,
Hi Frederik:
I actually just finished a project on Maschine where Pro-Q displays the mentioned behaviour on the kick drum channel.
Is there a way to upload a zip file so you could take a look at it?
Thank you for your time
Ruben
Hi Ruben,
You can put your project on e.g. Wetransfer and send us a link.
Cheers,
In my tests, FF meters have always been spot-on accurate. I'd trust them over my DAW's own meters. If Pro-Q says the kick is going over 0, I'd take that at face value.
Could it be the peak-hold time? A meter that doesn't hold the peak value, or holds it for too-short a time, could make it harder to see where the peaks actually hit.
You could export or bounce the kick and zoom in to see the actual sample values and determine whether or not they're really going into positive values.
Of course, if I saw any track anywhere near 0 dB the first thing I'd do is fix that problem before worrying about metering inconsistencies.
I believe it holds its peak. In other words, once the level has exceeded 0 dB, it will remain red until you click on it. May this be the issue?
I just noticed this as well. All channels are clipping but the DB on the faders are way below zero. Anyone found a cause and or solution? Seems really strange
Correct, you need to click the meter to reset the clipping indicator.
Cheers,
The Output Gain knob lets you adjust the output level between minus infinity and +36 dB. You can use this to correct any overall level change that the EQ bands might introduce. Note that FabFilter Pro-Q 3 features unlimited internal headroom so it won't clip internally at any level. You only need to be concerned about any clipping that might occur after the signal has left Pro-Q 3.