Published by PitchChanger · Updated · How these guides are made
How to use this workflow
Read the input peak
Express the peak as an absolute sample value relative to full scale, or as dBFS.
Calculate the multiplier
Divide the gain in dB by 20, raise 10 to that power and multiply the input sample.
Check headroom before export
If the predicted magnitude exceeds 1, reduce gain before rendering. Listen to the saved file as well as the preview.
A 0.4 peak with +6 dB gain
10^(6/20) = 1.995262315, so a 0.4 peak becomes 0.798104926. The original peak is approximately −7.9588 dBFS; adding 6 dB gives −1.9588 dBFS. This is an original linear-gain calculation, not a measured mastering export.
At +9 dB the same peak becomes 1.127353173, above full scale. A floating-point intermediate may hold it, but that does not make an integer delivery or the playback path safe from clipping.
Swipe or scroll sideways to read all columns.
| Gain | Amplitude multiplier | 0.4 peak becomes |
|---|---|---|
| −6 dB | 0.501187 | 0.200475 |
| 0 dB | 1 | 0.4 |
| +6 dB | 1.995262 | 0.798105 |
| +9 dB | 2.818383 | 1.127353 |
Use 20 for amplitude; use the actual mastering controls
10^(g/10) is a power ratio under the appropriate equal-impedance assumption. Applying it to samples would double the intended dB gain. Doubling sample amplitude is about +6.0206 dB, not exactly +6 dB.
Mastering includes gain and compression controls. Compression, normalization and limiting can change the relationship between an input peak and an output peak; this calculation describes only constant gain. For a quieter result, start with less output gain rather than expecting compression to repair an already clipped source.