How to detect dc offset and remove dc offset in Ableton ?
Is it just a thing for recorded stuff or do you treat samples also with removing dc offset sometimes ?

 

In a digital environment, you can recognize a dc offset by the fact that the center of a waveform is not on the zero line. The entire waveform therefore has an offset in the plus or minus range.

You can counteract such a dc offset either with a dedicated dc filter or with a highpass filter. The filter frequency does not have to be set high. A 36db/oct hpf at ~10-15hz is usually quite sufficient.

 

Last edited: Feb 16, 2021

don't bother them unless you hear clicks and pops in your mix, if you do; put a Utility plugin and turn DC offset on as arcticstorm said

 

Dc offset should definitely be addressed, as it can cause playback problems on various playback media (distortion) and even physical damage to devices (speakers, turntable needles).

 

Also, DC offset does not cause clicks or pops.

Even before getting to what @Sinus Well mentioned you get reduced dynamic range in your mix, it can make dynamic processors act weird and so on.

 

I think what he means is, it is easier to get clicks and pops when editing a file with dc offset.

In this case, of course, the dc offset must be removed and rendered before the file is edited.

 

U can just do a slightly lowcut between 20Hz - 38Hz or you use a little old VST plugins called "Tobybear DC Offset Killer"...



http://www.phreque.com/tobybear/utilbag.zip


This is what a "DC Offset" looks like! The Waveform is above the zero line!



Best regards

 

Last edited: Feb 16, 2021

Does it mostly occur when recording with mics ?

 

IIR mode eq with even low-cut filter. Doesn't need steep slopes and should work with frequency bit higher than 0Hz. This is not efficient if you use FIR mode equing. Good example: EQuilibrium.

Louder amplitude, more DC offset - louder click/pop will be (if you press play/stop). Also it creates clipping earlier, because of offset from center.

 

Both hardware devices and software plugins can produce a dc offset.