Compressors; Ratios; Thresholds

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Shack

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Help please.

I just bought a Focusrite compressor/preamp thingy and would like to know how you actually set those 2:1, 5:1, etc settings I hear about cos nothing in the manual mentions how I go about doing it. I am new to using a compressor and at the risk of sounding naive, I expected it was simply a mateer of selecting the setting on the unit.

Also, is there a rule of thumb for setting the threshold please?
 
Thanks for the links which were very informative and enlightening. The confusion still is that again the article mentions compressor setting ratios to use, however it doesnt' say how.

Is it simply a case that when you say you use a 2:1 ratio as opposed to a 5:1, it simply means set your threshold close to the loudest sound in the former as further from it in the latter. Or is it just that the compressor I have bought does not have the 2:1, 3:1, etc which exists on other units?
 
What is the model of the Focusrite compressor you bought?That would help.
 
I'm guessing its a optical compressor if it doesnt have a ratio option, but you'll have to look it up in the manual.

You basicly use the input gain and Threshold (depending on what sounds better, most probably working the Threshold...). The threshold works like a variable ratio. It uses an electro optical attenuator to control the dynamics of the processed signal.
 
You're right, it is an optical compressor. So is that a good or a bad thing? According to the manual, without the hard ratio button selected, the compression is 2.5: 1, but with hard ratio button selected, it is 6:1. So how do I get say a 4:1 or 3:1 or even a 2:1 setting? From your knowledge would this work well with guitars, basses, etc, or ami I better off with a dedicated compressor?
 
Shack said:
You're right, it is an optical compressor. So is that a good or a bad thing? According to the manual, without the hard ratio button selected, the compression is 2.5: 1, but with hard ratio button selected, it is 6:1. So how do I get say a 4:1 or 3:1 or even a 2:1 setting? From your knowledge would this work well with guitars, basses, etc, or ami I better off with a dedicated compressor?
Click to expand...

This particular unit is designed SPECIFICLY for Vocals....hence the name of the unit.....VOICEmaster Pro.

Read the first line of the Brochure. "Capture and Create:The Perfect Vocal."
http://www.focusrite.com/downloads/brochures/voicemasterprobrochure.pdf


Im sure you could run instruments through this unit but it's really set up to capture vocals.
 
I have this unit and here is a general rule of thumb.

When your recording vocals and you just want to control the transients going in. The 2:1 setting is fine (Hard ratio in the out position) but you need to run your threshold around -15, your attack fast (Slow Attack in the out position) and Makeup gain around +3. This will give you the smoothest, non compressor sound.

If your putting the unit on a mix buss or effects loop off a mixer for mixdown, you can try the slow attack button (5ms) and up the Release to the .5 position to make the vocal stand out a little more.

Another alternative for the mixdown on vocals, for a more aggressive sound, is to use the hard ratio and run the Release on Auto.

For bass and guitars you can generally just use the hard ratio and leave the Slow attack off. Keep the release between .3 and .5. You can also run the compressor post EQ for some variation although generally I don't use the EQ except on instruments.

A dedicated compressor like the RNC gets you better results on vocals and when you need clean sounding guitars. It has a faster response time. On crunchy guitars the VM Pro works fine.

I have the RNC and the combination of the straight preamp section and the RNC makes for a really great vocal sound.

MM
 
I generally intend using the unit to record vocals, bass and guitar. I'm not familiar with the RNC, what's that please? To your knowledge, is the VMP enough for this? It sounds from what you're saying that the compressor on the unit is not really all that.

I must admit that I like the other features on the unit, so in your knowledge, having used it, even if I don't get the best, will the unit give me a decent sound? I'm just a bit apprehensive about there being only 2 ratio settings.
 
Shack said:
I must admit that I like the other features on the unit, so in your knowledge, having used it, even if I don't get the best, will the unit give me a decent sound? I'm just a bit apprehensive about there being only 2 ratio settings.
Click to expand...

You cant judge a compressor on it's name alone. You have to hear it. It's either sounds good or not.

It's also not 2 ratio settings. It works as a variable ratio concept. Read up on optical compression
 
I see, I wasn't aware that an optical compressor functions in that way. I've searched for info on optical compressors but I only seem to come across info on the other types and when I do find something on optical, it's usually some text on a certain unit which is not similar to the VMP. Thanks for that.
 
Perhaps you had better check your specific compressor.
I don't know your specific compressors reaction..... I can tell you that I dont personaly believe in a "all in one" rack.

Ratio "moving" is a more subtle matter in opto compression.
Basicly all you have to do is feed it your signal and then feed it a large peak. Check out the gain reduction and see if it stays at a 2.5:1 reduction or it reduces the peak to a higher ratio setting.
 
I know what you mean man, i'd never buy one of those washer/dryers or dvd/video players. So what am I doing getting this? It's just that it came so highly recommended that I thought it had to be good. I'll try your suggestion. Thanks.
 
Shack

The VMP has a fairly good compressor and for vocals 2.5 and 6 is a reasonable range for ratios. It is not highly variable in its other capabilities however, and could not be used for brick wall limiting.

The key thing is attack and release. How does the compressor handle sudden spikes in volumes from a vocalist or instrument, is more important than the ratio. Most vocal tracks use 2-6 as a ratio so you are not losing anything here with the VMP.

The ability to handle transients and do it well defines the characteristics of a compressor and the RNC (Really Nice Compressor) from FMR Audio is one of the best values for homerecording at $179. It controls sound transients very smoothly, very transparent, to use others description of it. It is better at sudden spikes than the VMP which is why I use it.

On the RNC, for vocals, I generally have it sitting at 2:1 or 4:1 so the VMP is just offering its two ratio settings in an on/off fashion versus a variable knob on the RNC which goes up to 25:1. At 25:1 your into brick wall limiting if the threshold is set high. This is more for buss limiting than on vocals or instruments but hey, if you like the sound, knock yourself out.

Another thing I do is to have the VMP opto compressor in the signal chain prior to the RNC. I will run the VMP compressor at 2.5:1 ratio, low threshold, slow release and fast attack. This knocks down the transients. I then kick in the RNC at -5 threshold, 4:1 ratio, attack 20ms and release .5s. This gets that very in your face type of vocal sound.

Last thing, the reason the VMP is highly reccomended is for its Class A preamp which sounds very warm and musical. In the $500 range it has only one competitor which is the RNP in my opinion or perhaps the Grace 101, if you want a very clean sound. The de-essor is top quality too. The other modules are primarily for instruments and I generally don't use them for vocal tracks. The EQ is very good on bass guitar.
 
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