Do we actually need a limiter/clipper on the master?

[bjw3389]

I did a test with one of my instrumentals, where in one version I boosted the gain on the master channel so that it peaked at about 3 db; and in the other I put a clipper on the master, making it peak at about -.5 db. I rendered both to MP3 and opened them in a new session. The one without the clipper sounds better and now peaks at 0db with a few occasional peaks above 0.

So my question is, do we really need to put a clipper/limiter on our masters when rendering to MP3s? Is there something going on during the rendering process that I'm not aware of?

Thanks.

[liberaltugboat]

The one without the limiter does not sound bett...

[D3Mens]

If you make a test where in both situations you...

[nucleon]

bjw3389 wrote: ↑Sun May 09, 2021 2:01 am I did ...

[shroomhead_one]

nucleon wrote: ↑Sun May 09, 2021 11:21 am bjw33...

[Ryota Lore]

In addition to all that's been said, I'd recomm...