Is an "expander" just a compressor?

  • Thread starter Thread starter enemyofthesun
  • Start date Start date
It is my understanding that just like a LIMITER is an extreme version of compression, so NOISE GATE is an extreme version of expanding (and opposite of comression). That's why compressors usually have a limiter setting and gates are really expanders. Expander makes quite signal quieter, noise gate completely filters it out.
 
An expander is the opposite of a compressor which means that the really work exactly the same, and has exactly the same settings, but when a compressor lowers the volume by half, the expander would instead double it.
Some compressors are compressor/expanders, and so work both as compressors or expanders, depending on the settings.
 
Waves RNC!!!! spectacular DirectX plugin compressor that does expansion. It's part of the waves renaissance series. The renaissance eq's are amazing too!

-jhe
 
thanks...
i've got the Waves RC. how can i get it to do downward expansion. i've used it for expansion, but not as a downward expander.

maybe i don't understand downward expansion. i'm looking for an expander that lowers all levels below a threshold, and leaves levels above the threshold alone.
-kp-
 
use a gate, thats what they are for
kinda the opposite of a compressor.... but only in regard to what part of the signal they compress

compressin is above a threshold
and gatin is below a threshold

hope that helps,

Sabith
 
oh yeah, you said downward expansion. yeah RNC can't do that! For downward expansion (actually what the heck does that mean? just call it gating!) use a gate as Sabith says. "downward expansion" usually is achievd with a low ratio. like 1.3/1 or maybe up to 2/1, something where the signal isn't getting a harsh clipping at all, but is subtly being reduced when it gets below the threshold.

-jhe
 
Somewhere in a very recent thread, sonusman gave a very complete description of limiters, and I believe he also covered expanders and gating too. Do a search on expander.

Twist
 
thanks all...

but that's not helping much...

i'm not in search of a lesson in limiters, compressors,, expanders and the like, i'm looking for a DirectX Downward Expander. to acheive the effect i'm looking for with a gate, the Gate must have an adjustable floor and i have a hardware gate that does this, but i'm looking for a directx plugin. also, a downward expander is more versatile and has more control than a gate.

-kp-
 
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