What is a compressor

[Tchara]

Aside from a thing to air up your tires, what is a compressor. Is it nessessary for good home recording sound, and how does it
relate to the effects processor.

[Larry Sheehan]

Hi, good info on compressors at www.dbxpro.com/white.htm but here's a quick overview.
It is useful to think of a compressor as a sort of automatic volume control. When the signal being compressed exceeds a target level (the threshold), the volume is reduced by some proportion (the ratio). There are other controls which determine how quickly the reduction occurs (Attack) and how quickly the original volume is restored after the level drops below the threshold (Release).

Many/most compressors have another control to raise the average output level (Makeup Gain).

The most common application for compressors is to keep transient peaks (Volume spikes) from causing distortion due to clipping or digital overs.

They are also used to raise the apparent loudness of a track by reducing the difference between the loudest and quietest parts (the dynamic range).

Effects processors are used to add things like reverb/delay, etc. to a track.

In general there are three types of signal processing - dynamic processing (compressors/limiters/noise gates/expanders), Effects processing (reverb, echo, flange, etc), and EQ.

[This message has been edited by Larry Sheehan (edited 11-19-1999).]

[Brad]

Nice job, Larry.
That was one of the best descriptions of a compressor I have seen on this BBS.
I wish I could have read those words about 14 years ago...

Brad

[Larry Sheehan]

<Blush> Thanks.

Tchara, I can elaborate more if you'd like more info. De-Essing and Ducking are other useful areas. I tried not to overwhelm you with a PhD thesis level of info.

[tdukex]

Compressors compress. Duh!

Use the search function dammit!

[Fishmed]

Originally Posted by tdukex

Compressors compress. Duh!

Use the search function dammit!

I don't think there was much content to seach back then.

[tdukex]

Originally Posted by Fishmed_Returns

I don't think there was much content to seach back then.

Oops, did I just dig up a pre-turn-of-the-century thread started by a member who no longer posts here?

[SRR]

Well I just bumped Larry's rep from 8 to 625 for that nice reply....I know a little late in coming but he deserved it....

[Aidnas]

Wow, I thought Al Gore invented the internet AFTER 1999.

[DogFood]

I play electric guitar. Compressors are (not really, but sorta kinda...you understand don't you?) my enemy.

[isfahani]

I don't understand...

Do you use saturated overdrive or distorted tones? That's also compression.
One of my favorite tones is a slightly compressed Strat with an old Roland Jazz Chorus.

HOW old can threads be and still be revived?

[SRR]

They come up in searches, you don't look at the date, you reply, bang its here.

[cusebassman]

And what's better is that the guy who unearthed it has been a member since before the original posts were put up. How could you not remember reading this in the winter of 1999 for God's sake???

[tdukex]

Originally Posted by cusebassman

And what's better is that the guy who unearthed it has been a member since before the original posts were put up. How could you not remember reading this in the winter of 1999 for God's sake???

Yo, doods, it was a joke. I unearthed the oldest, moldiest thread I could find to try and make a joke/point about newbies digging up and responding to old, dead, rotting threads from years ago started by members who no longer even post here--which has been happening a lot lately. Get it?

For some laughs from the old days do a search for the Ken D. Webber thread or some old posts from S8-N. Those were the good old days.

[Fishmed]

Where is S8-N these days?

Is he still cooking?

[Big Kenny]

you're a compressor.....

[Gorty]

I'm compressed.

[tdukex]

Originally Posted by Fishmed_Returns

Where is S8-N these days?

Is he still cooking?

Yes, In prison.

Just kidding. I think he just got bored with us--for good reason.

[Fishmed]

Originally Posted by tdukex

Yes, In prison.

Just kidding. I think he just got bored with us--for good reason.

I think he lost his PC access when he broke up with his girlfriend.

[Big Kenny]

Originally Posted by Fishmed_Returns

I think he lost his PC access when he broke up with his girlfriend.

and now he's compressed?......

[MOFO Pro]

Originally Posted by Big Kenny

and now he's compressed?......

Clinically compressed... on meds now

[phaqu]

Originally Posted by Fishmed_Returns

I think he lost his PC access when he broke up with his girlfriend.

Was it the same one that used to follow him around from state to state?

[MCI2424]

a device that reduces dynamic range?..............



What is a compressor

Thanks for playing!

[michaelst]

even more succinct: It makes quiet parts louder, and louder parts quieter.

[MOFO Pro]

Originally Posted by michaelst

even more succinct: It makes quiet parts louder, and louder parts quieter.

That would be a compander actually...