Compression...

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Foo-bu

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this is gonna sound super dumb but i wanna get it clear..ok i understand that compression gets rid of all the peaks, makes it clearer,and that kinda stuff but what else does it do? also what do you use to "compress?" is it like a switch? does it take a bunch of EQing or does that take place afterwards? when digital editing, do you hafta look at the wavelengths and readjust them? with analog mixers, how can you compress? my fostex 280 analog mixer has a dolby compression button but is that enough? also is there a way of doing compression in cool edit pro?


sorry about all the questions i just wanna fully understand how this works
 
with analog mixers, how can you compress?
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With low-end mixers that do not have compressor modules installed in the strip, the compressor is routed through the inserts of the channel.

Sometimes on the stereo buss if mixing down, but not usually if preparing to master.
 
Would anyone be willing to post a track that would greatly benefit from some compression, and then post that exact same track with compression applied?
 
OK....... let's take this one at a time.......

Foo-bu said:
ok i understand that compression gets rid of all the peaks, makes it clearer,and that kinda stuff but what else does it do?
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That's all it's supposed to do! It controls dynamics.... that said, controlling dynamics means alot... combine shaping the peaks with control over the attack and release of the signal, and you can make a track punchier (can be a very good thing) or completely flatten it to make it dead (not a good thing).


also what do you use to "compress?"
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A compressor..... rack mount piece of gear, or s/w plug-ins...


is it like a switch?
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No... it's a piece of gear with knobs/controls..... a compressor is not a "set and forget" type of unit - it needs to be tailored for each application.


does it take a bunch of EQing or does that take place afterwards?
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You use EQ separately from compression - either before the compressor or after, depending on the application... (although the very nature of using compression can shape the sound somewhat like EQ, but that's another story)


when digital editing, do you hafta look at the wavelengths and readjust them?
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Well - the power of digital editing comes from being able to use both your ears and eyes to hear & see the waveforms and edit them as needed... (ie, you get visuals to go along with what you're hearing....)


with analog mixers, how can you compress?
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You route a compressor thru the INSERTs (which the Fostex 280 DOESN'T have - you'd have to compress as you record with the compressor in-line with your recording signal, or at mixdown via the direct outs on the back)


my fostex 280 analog mixer has a dolby compression button but is that enough?
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There's no such thing as a Dolby compression switch -- that button is for Dolby C noise reduction -- which, on that unit, you'll want to leave switched in ALL the time.... you'll get recordings noisy as hell without that switch engaged....


also is there a way of doing compression in cool edit pro?
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There almost certainly is a plug-in (or if not, you can buy one), but I don't use CEP so I can't tell you....
 
I did a Christmas tune awhile back. When I was recording the piano I forgot to take the compressor out of standby after checking the settings and the with/without check and tracked it without any compression. When I played it back the deck meters were swinging all over the place. Way up into the red on some passages.

I had to retrack the part.
 
also is there a way of doing compression in cool edit pro?
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...Yes. I don't remember in older version, but in CEP 2, you can have compressor without any optional plugins. Go Effects --> Amplitude --> Dynamic Processing.


Would anyone be willing to post a track that would greatly benefit from some compression, and then post that exact same track with compression applied?
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Once I asked Shailat about this, and he gave me the link where you can read all the articles, and download several sample of audio files (I forget they're .wav or .mp3) it's exactly what you asked. I forget the link, I've searched the forum but looks like the thread burried deep down nowhere... You can ask/PM Shailat nicely for the link... He's one of those Compressor man.
;)
 
I'm sure that Blue Bear Bruce has given you enough info on compression. ;)

If you would like to do some more reading on compression, press the link labeled compression below.

COMPRESSION


Peace.....
 
I didn't quite get that. Was that compression you were speaking of? Or...was it compression? Maybe it was compression. ???

Don't mind me, my son who is home on leave from the Marine Corps, and I had a great day at the rifle range and now I'm having a bit of Jagermeister after cleaning the weapons.

The kid can shoot. I guess I taught him right. He didn't outshoot the Old Man though.;)
 
A compressor basically puts a lid on your highest peaks to make them sound like they fit with the other instruments or voices. you can adjust how high you want the threshold to be and as far as a switch for a compressor on a board never heard of that one....but a compressor used wrong can totally kill your recording....I know the feeling about forgetting to hit the stand-by button done that one a few times

Animal
 
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