Compressor won't limit peaks...need some help

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mcmd

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When I am recording a clean guitar solo, I get this loud POP or SNAP sound at the start of every note I pick (play). I am not distorting, - the waveform is not clipping , (and we all Know THAT sound ).

Looking at the waveform, there is an initial peak to 90% ( less than 1ms) and then the *note* amplitude jumps down to about 30% and decays as expected. So, my dynamic range sucks and I have this POP noise.

When using my MEEK VC3Q with max attack and max compression, those peaks still burst through.

I can edit the waveform and apply -3db to the initial peak of each note, but that takes forever.

Anyone have this problem or know what I'm talking about?

Also, I'm using a 16 bit card and I have heard that a 24 bit card could reduce this problem?

Thanks,

Dara
 
I could be wrong on this, but I believe that the Joe Meek is not a brick wall limiter and is just not fast enough to do what you are wanting it to do. What program are you using to record? does it have a software compressor plugin that might allow a faster setting?
 
Bdgr,

I'm runnng calkwalk ( guitar studio) and I have full dynamics processing available as plugins, (Audio FX1), but post processing can't help, damage is done, right?

...do most people use a brick wall limiter, probably not? I'm thinking maybe it's my picking technique or my guitar or something...?

...I even raised the action on my guitar to see if that might help, - it didn't (thank GOD!).

Also, I believe that its less of a problem ( but it's still a problem!)when I go DI w/ the MEEK, rather than taking the REC OUT from the amp, - but the DI sound is poor, - so I'm trading dynamics for a shitty sound....

AHHH....( pulling hair out!!) :mad: :mad:


Dara
 
do you still get this problem when the Meek is not involved?

if you are using the meek with max attack and max compression, then you are compressing the snot out of your sound.

why are you compressing?

if you keep the pop sound down and back off on the attack just a little bit what you will have is a very staccato guitar sound used for single-string picking in r&b and reggae.

otherwise, you need to back off the compression attack and ratio.
 
sorry dude, i forgot to ask you the most important question.

what is your threshold set to? if your threshold is set very hight so that only the hottest peaks will be cut off, then you'll be OK.

i still prefer to record without compression in 24bit, then use compression (if necessary) when mixing/mastering.
 
mcmd said:
...do most people use a brick wall limiter, probably not? I'm thinking maybe it's my picking technique or my guitar or something...?
Click to expand...

Lots of people use peak limiting. As far as DAW plugins go, the L1 is very popular, for example, but I get the feeling this is much more of an issue with either your picking style or your guitar's pickups.

As a quick fix, you might want to look at using a multi-band comp . . . I am assuming it's only certain frequencies that are being exaggerated while picking?

As for the comp settings on the meek, I would recommend going a little lighter overall, with attack and release dials set all the way to the left as a starting point.
 
I don't know your particular compressor, but if the initial attack transients are too loud, you need to shorten your attack setting on the comp so it clamps down on the transients more quickly. Most full-featured compressors have this ability, but if your compressor doesn't have an attack control, you'll need a different compressor to accomplish this.
 
first off, the meek is NOT a brickwall limiter.
second, if you put it at its fastest attack time, it will actually make the first peak MORE noticeable, as it will overload the circuit and then rapidly drop down.
 
mcmd said:
Bdgr,

I'm runnng calkwalk ( guitar studio) and I have full dynamics processing available as plugins, (Audio FX1), but post processing can't help, damage is done, right?
Click to expand...

Nah....applying the effect afterwards is where the real fun begins...You can experiment to your hearts content, then ctrl Z(undo) out of it if you dont like it.
 
Are you micing the sound hole on the guitar? Acoustic guitar attack shouldn't be that overpowering. Try micing the neck if you haven't already or back the mic off a bit.
 
mcmd said:
When I am recording a clean guitar solo, I get this loud POP or SNAP sound at the start of every note I pick (play). I am not distorting, - the waveform is not clipping , (and we all Know THAT sound ).

Looking at the waveform, there is an initial peak to 90% ( less than 1ms) and then the *note* amplitude jumps down to about 30% and decays as expected. So, my dynamic range sucks and I have this POP noise.

When using my MEEK VC3Q with max attack and max compression, those peaks still burst through.

I can edit the waveform and apply -3db to the initial peak of each note, but that takes forever.

Anyone have this problem or know what I'm talking about?

Also, I'm using a 16 bit card and I have heard that a 24 bit card could reduce this problem?

Thanks,

Dara
Click to expand...

The 24-bit card won't make a difference as the phenomenon you are talking about is occurring within the VC3Q. Looking at their website, it looks like Joe Meek didn't put a threshold control on the VC3Q, so it probably has a fixed threshold.

I think the signal is coming into the compressor WAY too hot, meaning its "volume" is significantly higher than the the fixed threshold of the compressor, so much so that the compressor can't smooth out the initial peak even with the attack cranked.

You say "clean" guitar...are you miking an amp? Without a threshold control, you may have to play with the volume of the amp and the input gain of the VC3Q until you get to a point where the signal isn't so hot when it hits the compressor section.

If you are just plugging the guitar into the Meek, then perhaps the problem is that a guitar usually puts out a hotter signal than most microphones. Again, you may have to back off on the input gain until the signal hitting the compressor is within proper spec.

If I'm way off base, I hope some more knowledgeable members will correct me. Otherwise, I hope this is of some help. Good Luck.

OB
 
Oops, I thought we were talking about an acoustic for some reason.

I still don't think compression is the issue. Why are your attacks so loud? Can't you play it a little more even?
 
i know, lemme guess you are plugging your guitar straight into the computer right?

if so there are 2 solutions

1. us fx-eq and use the direct in preset eq for guitars
there are 5, 3 for individual single coil pickups(read strat), and 2 for humbuckers(read les paul)

2. mic a guitar through a real amp and not only will the popping go away, but you'll get a better sounding more natural signal

jon
 
When using my MEEK VC3Q with max attack and max compression, those peaks still burst through
Click to expand...

if it is true that the meek does not have a threshold setting and you have MAX ATTACK and MAX COMPRESSION, then the results you are getting are the expected result.

find out where the meeks hardset threshold is back off on the compression ratio.

since the meek does not have a limiter, nor threshold settings, you are definitely going to need a look ahead limiter when you mix/master.

and i say mix/master because i assume that homerec'rs do it all.
 
It has a threshold, its just labled compression....sorta kinda...
 
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