The trick is to get the levels right before converting them to MP3. If for example you were to simply export the tracks from BIAB, give them a rough mix without lowering the levels exported from BIAB your track will almost certainly be clipping when converted to MP3. When exporting to wav and the normalise option is used the tracks come out very hot. Each track at 0 dB the overall mix at or over 0 dB. Whilst you may get away with this with a wav file when converting to MP3 you will almost certainly get clipping.

For MP3 you really don’t want a peak level at 0 dB probably -1.2 dB true peak might avoid clipping but even that is close to the mark. To get the song to a good level, initially drop the levels when mixing then lift them as a final stage in mastering. Use a limiter bring the overall mix to -1.5 dB or if the limiter shows true peak -1.3 dB or so. Using a limiter it is possible to get an overall “louder” song but you lose dynamics.

The stuff I do does not really hit the limiter much but it is below -1.3 dB. If I have the overall level too low then lift it in MP3gain it can result in clipping. Often it is only drums clipping and you probably would not hear that happening. Using a LUFS meter and bringing the tracks to about -14 LUFS pretty much does away with clipping and also avoids the need to lift songs in MP3gain.

The Youlean LUFS meter will in fact indicate where the clipping points are.

IMHO
Tony

Last edited by Teunis; 06/06/19 02:25 AM.
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