Basic dynamics processing question

[Bulls Hit]

On my Cakewalk Dynamics Processor plugin, the graph display the compression/expansion curve.

The input dB is along the bottom x axis, -96 to 0. The output dB is along the right y-axis, -96 to 0. The curve starts as a straight line with a 1:1 compression ratio.

If I grab a point in the middle of the curve, say at -40dB input and drag it upwards, I can change the curve, so that everything input in the range of
-40dB to -12 dB, is output at -12dB. Nothing else has changed. The compression & expander ratios are still 1:1, output gain is still zero, but obviously I've boosted the output in this particular dynamic range.

My question is, could I use this technique to boost the volume of a quiet part of a track without having to compress it?

It also seems this could be useful if I wanted to boost the volume of a track without also boosting any low level noise. In fact at the same time I could cut any input signal below say -60dB and improve the SNR.

Is this a kocher way to do things, or am I missing something fundamental here? It just seems a bit too easy

 

[Bulls Hit]

Anyone able to add anything here, or is this the wrong forum?

 

[MichaelM]

You might be able to get more info if you post in the Cakewalk forum....
I haven't used that plugin for a fair while. To be honest I find the interface a bit confusing. Why would you want to do that to boost the level of a quiet part? Wouldn't it be easier to use a track volume envelope?

 

[Teacher]

bulls hit you could automate the cakewalk compressor plug to do what you say on the quiet parts or you can simply cut the quiet parts out and put them on a separate track with the compressor set up the way you just described.

FYI whenever your raise the volume you raise the noise floor with it unless you have a gate set up.

 

[Bulls Hit]

Yeh maybe a gate's the answer. Thanks Teach