hard limiting vs. compression

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Foo-bu

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ok im new at this so bear with me if this is a stupid question...

i understand that compressing reduces clipping and can add some dynamic sounds to a wave but if you use hard limiting on a program such as cool edit pro 2.0 it boosts everything (which i tend to think makes everything sound a bit better) and it makes it so it never clips.

would i be stupid for only using hard limiting? if i should use both is there a certain order i should go in?
 
Limiting just reduces the peaks and compression gradually reduces more of the dynamics. They are the same thing with different threshold and ratio settings.

What should you use? Depends on the track.
 
ok i sorta see what you are saying but doesnt compression normally reduce the volume of the track? if i use the hard limiting option it pretty much stays around the 0db mark. if im copress it'll be less than that. should i boost my compression to make it line up with the rest of the songs that use hard limiting?
 
Normally, when using compression you make up for the signal level loss by turning up the output gain on the compressor.
 
Not a stupid question at all...The limiter is also boosting your signal, just as upping the out gain on a compressor would. Also, compression in general does not reduce clipping on audio, but it can prevent a signal from clipping inputs, especially A/D converters.

Check this BBS for info and read up on the following site:
www.studiocovers.com

You can learn a lot from researching this site and the internet in general.
 
Generally I use compression to reduce dynamics in audio (reduces the peak to average ratio = lowers louder sections), such as taming a wild vocal. I use limiting in 2 cases, both to get maximum signal level:

1. - when tracking to digital: limiting a signal with transient peaks (unwanted sounds often at the attack of a sound, ex - picking a electric guitar string) will allow you to maximize the signal going into the A/D converters without the unwanted transients clipping them.

2. - when home-mastering: limiting a mixdown will allow you to maximize the loudness

These are just common examples and are not set in stone. (there are no rules)
You will find much better info searching this BBS and the internet.
 
Compression will have much greater effect on the characteristics of the sound. It's more of an artistic tool than simple limiting, allowing the user to affect the punch and sustain of the material. Tasteful use of compression can literally alter the dynamic element of the material at hand.

Limiters generally don't allow for that kind of control. They can be used as an effect in different ways, though, obviously. For the most part, though, you have to be more careful with them, as their main use is simply to make things loud and even. This added volume / "evenness" of sound often comes at the expense of the dynamics. People often use the term "sucking the life out of the music" to describe the effects of too much limiting, so again, use with care.

As far as which you should use, and in what order, etc. . . I'll give you a rule of thumb for a beginner :

Compress when the dynamics are all over the place (goes from loud to soft) and there are lots of transients (hard picking, percussion hits, etc). Limit in moderation. Use it only to tame the peaks that occur here and there throughout the track, or to bring up the track's overall volume (normalization).

You might even just want to save it (limiting) for the final mix -- if you don't plan on having it mastered, that is.
 
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