there are recording people around the world who suggest that compression is a destructive tool, in the wrong hands!...and I agree totally...(many here do too!)
My recordings changed by a magnitude when I discovered how to use the beautiful "Hard Limit" function AA has in it's arsenal.
I am talking about your final stereo mixdown here, and I suggest you try it, see if it doesn't do exactly what you want it to do! (I bet you it will!)
It's in the 'edit view' section; just float your mouse over the icons (make sure you have all your 'rows' and FX enabled so you can see it: do this by right clicking a blank spot on your function icon window)....HARD LIMIT (FOR MAXIMISING VOLUME)
I would use these settings for starters...
Limit Max Amplitude to: -.5 (or whatever you wish to peak at)
Boost input by 3 (depending on how hot/cold your mix currently is:..if it's on the low output side try a higher number, but move slowly!!)
Look Ahead Time of 10
Release time 40.
Experiment with the "Boost Input By" setting to start with to get you desired output level
Hard Limiting for final mixdowns is far better (if you have to use a form of compression), than simply boosting everything up with a preset volume amount.....and is far better than just chucking a raw compressor over everything.
AA has a great 'help' file....use that to explain to you the concept of hard limiting.
I'd like to know how you go!!!!
oh fuck it...I'll just copy the info for you!!!!...here it is!.....
The Hard Limiting effect provides the following options:
Limit Max Amplitude To
Sets the maximum sample amplitude allowed.
TipTo avoid clipping when working with 16-bit audio, set this value to no more than - 0.1 dB; if you set it to -0.5 dB, you'll have a little more clearance for any future edits.
Boost Input By
Preamplifies audio before you limit it, so you can make a selection louder and ensure that no clipping occurs (similar to what is commonly done with the audio on TV commercials).
Lookahead Time
Sets the amount of time (measured in milliseconds) generally needed to attenuate the audio before the loudest peak is hit.
Note: Make sure that the value is at least 5 milliseconds. If this value is too small, audible distortion effects may occur.
Release Time
Sets the time (measured in milliseconds) needed for the attenuation to rebound back 12 dB (or roughly the time needed for audio to resume normal volume if an extremely loud peak is encountered). In general, a setting of around 100 (the default) works well and preserves very low bass frequencies.
Note: If this value is too large, audio may remain very quiet and not resume normal levels for a while.
Link Left And Right
Links the loudness of both channels together, preserving the stereo image.
Gather Statistics Now
Updates the Clipping Statistics values, which indicate what percentage of the audio would clip if limiting weren't performed. Click this option after you change any of the input parameters.
