How to figure "Gain Reduction" on Cakewalk Compressor

[Alanfc]

hello-

I have a Newbie Cakewalk specific question:


I read alot of compression tips, and always see the phrase
"3-4 db of Gain Reduction"

in the simple Cakewalk HS XL 2002 , how do I see that ?

It must be something with those pretty lights on the bottom of the window, but I just can't grasp it.

They're not simply talking about the Threshold right? There's some secret engineer-speak I don't know about I just know it...

Can anyone try to explain a bit for me?

thanks alot

[mixsit]

Mostly you could go by the gain reduction meter on most any compressor. The other bit is refering to working a little on the conservetive side of things. Several smaller bits of compression here and there helps things get smoothed out with out doing a lot to the original sounds, and leaves some dynamic in which makes for a recording that still has some life in it. It's a different result (and sound style -sometimes maybe you want a compressed 'effect') than hitting everything hard in one pass.
And IMHO, the heavier the compression, the harder it is to get it 'right'.
Wayne

[Alanfc]

Ok Got it

thanks alot Wayne