K metering question

[Mikem]

I read through the webzine page about the new K metering in the Precision Limiter, and I guess I'm left with a couple questions:

The \"14\"--is it simply making -14 the new 0? In other words, if my average peaks are sitting around -14 in the limiter now, will they show up as 0 in the K-14 mode? It appears that way to me, when I turn on the RME Digicheck and monitor the output in K-14 mode.

That's cool-n-all, but am I grossly oversimplifying this? I'm guessing I am. I used to aim for around -13 or -12 with my final masters for averages. I guess that's a bit too hot. But when I aim for -14, there suddenly isn't much need for the \"limiting\", since I don't get many peaks hitting 0 anymore. I guess that means my music is already not so dynamic.

Any clarifications on this issue would be welcome!

-Mike

 

[GerhardS]

Hello,
your subject is simply wrong. The K-System is not a metering solution, it's a monitoring system and integrates the monitors and the meters into a total solution which makes life very easy. I recommend to read Bob Katz's book which you can find here:

http://www.digido.com/portal/pmodule_id=11/pmdmode=fullscreen/pageadder_page_id=66/

br
gerhard

 

[A Gruesome Discovery]

GerhardS is right; it's an attempt to develop a standard reference monitoring level. Using a specifically tailored sample of pink noise (available at Bob K's site), a meter reading of 0dB in K-system should read 83dB (per channel) when measured with an SPL meter from listening position. In K-14, this \"0\" level will be 14dB below the usual 0dBFS peak, leaving you that much headroom for louder passages. From there, it's a matter of using your ears to decide when and for how long to use the \"red zone\" of the K-System meter, which can usually be answered \"sparingly\" and \"briefly\", respectively.
It's definitely an effective system; while it is good practice to check mixes at different levels to make sure the overall balance stays fairly consistent, that's not the best way to judge overall \"loudness\". Some sort of standard gain, be it derived from the K-System or whatever, is essential.

 

[Mikem]

Hello,
your subject is simply wrong. The K-System is not a metering solution, it's a monitoring system and integrates the monitors and the meters into a total solution which makes life very easy. I recommend to read Bob Katz's book which you can find here:

http://www.digido.com/portal/pmodule_id=11/pmdmode=fullscreen/pageadder_page_id=66/

br
gerhard

No, I get that there's a monitoring aspect to it, as well. But my question was directed at the metering aspect of it.

 

[secretworld]

That's cool-n-all, but am I grossly oversimplifying this? I'm guessing I am. I used to aim for around -13 or -12 with my final masters for averages. I guess that's a bit too hot. But when I aim for -14, there suddenly isn't much need for the "limiting", since I don't get many peaks hitting 0 anymore. I guess that means my music is already not so dynamic.
-Mike

I guess that is Bobs goal, not to limit (to much?)!