Export song

Hello,
A simple question about exporting a song with the MPC live...
When exporting, do you allow the master VU meter to go red or should this be absolutely avoided ? Is there some kind of clipping tolerance in comparison to a DAW?

When it goes red in the VU meter, you are digitally clipping, so while it may sound fine... I personally try and work to get the master to peak at 0db just to avoid it. If you need more oomph, putting some EQ/Compression on your master can help tweak the sound in a bit better.

If you search on this site, or do a google search I'd also suggest checking out Yorgos Arabatzsis Mastering... he's created a template that uses the MPC plugins to get you a solid mastering suite... especially if you're not entirely sure what you're doing and just want a place to start... or are just looking to keep everything in the box.

Good to know, thank you, I'll check this out!
I asked the question because la "red limit" is nearly half way to the top so I wondered if the zone between "it's getting red" and "now you've reached the top" was a safe place, like some added headroom before digital clipping.

When you push a signal over the 0db you are definitely distorting...

I just recorded a short video to show what is happening since the manual as far as I can tell doesn't explain anything about what happens to audio over the 0db on the MPC. So definitely not a "headroom" type of application.

Also apologies for the Uhms and Ahs... but I don't feel like recording the video again



EDIT: Also if you don't believe me... you can run this experiment for yourself and resample... I'll upload the project in a minute.

EDIT2: Here's the link 0db Digital Distortion

Since I got a comment on YouTube already... just going to drop this link for 0dbFS for those that want more details on why this happens.

Great illustration,thx. It behaves like a DAW in a way... maybe less audible clipping.