Compression Questions...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robertt8
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Robertt8

Robertt8

Well-known member
Okay. I think that I've figured that I need to compress my stuff (not getting the loudness I want). Now that I've got it, I'm not sure exactly what to do with it. I've screwed with it but didn't really get what I thought. After I compress it do I turn up the gain to make it louder? also, do I compress each track separately or just the whole damn mix? Any help would be great!

Thanks!
 
seek and ye shall find...

Try the search function as this is oft covered ground. If you still have Q's after your search, we'll be here.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
 
Actually the search brings up like 100000 replies and isn't working well.
I'm pretty sure you have the wrong idea about compression. It levels of peaks, which can allow you turn up the volume but if there are peaks, you are sucking the life out of it for not reason!
 
Ya, wally, I've noticed that the search gives me tons of crap about compression, but doesn't really tell me how to use it. I have noticed (screwing around with compression), that it will kill the dramatic differences in the song, but I've got a bunch of tunes that don't really have soft softs and loud louds. I just need a stronger volume without peaking, and it sounds like compression is the key. I just don't know what I'm doing with it. My tests to songs made little difference...or it would distort it. How do I use this tool?
 
Damn...

I was hoping I could refer folks to the search for the basic stuff.

for starters;

a VCA based compressor takes the highest energy signals (both lows and highs) and squishes them towards the averages. This reduces the dynamic range of the entire signal so that you can raise the overall volume with make-up gain. The Threshold determines when the compressor will begin compressing. The Ratio is how much you are going to compress. i.e. 3:1 means that for every 3 db of input signal the compressor will only output 1 db. The Attack is how much of the initial transient you are going to allow through. If you are distorting it's too fast, if you are attenuating the highs, you are too slow. The Release is how long the compressor compresses after the threshold has been reached. The output gain is where you adjust for the loss in volume from the gain reduction. the way to adjust this is to bypass the compressor, listen to the volume, then engage the compressor. When the compressor is engaged you should hear a volume drop (gain reduction). You then turn up the output gain 'til your compressed output matches your bypass level. Zero in is Zero out.

For further study;

www.digido.com

www.dbxpro.com

www.prorec.com
 
Hey Wally!

Doing good... but I've been here all along!?!?! :confused: Where've you been??? :D

Bruce
:)
 
Dude Compression it easy to use wrongly. Once you insert a compressor you generally have 4 main controls. Threshhold, Attack, Decay (or release) and Ratio.

Set Attack first. This is how quickly you want you compressor kick in. Then set Release- the rate at which the compressor stops compressing. Then Ratio, then Threshhold.

The Threshold is the level in dB that the compressor will be activated.

Ratio tell you how much you compressing something. Eg, a ratio of 4:1 means that for every 4dB the signal passes the Threshhold, the signal will be reduced to 1dB.

Then yeah, gain the signal back up to unity. Use compressors individually. If you want to compress your stereo mix be sure to link your compressors or your stereo image will be affected.

Be care full. It is very easy to use compression badly.
 
oh, I forgot to mention ...

This months Audiotechnology has the perfect aticle for you in Stav's word, read that!!!
 
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