threshold - in compression

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gullyjewelz

gullyjewelz

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Sonic Foundry Vegas 4 says:
"The Threshold value determines the level at which the dynamics processor begins acting on the signal. When the signal's level rises above the threshold, compression begins. A low threshold will cause more of the signal to be compressed. Excessive compression beginning at a very low threshold will usually result in distortion."

So when I apply "1.5 to 1" preset, the threshhold is automatically set at -24 without enabling auto gain compensation"

Any one wanna throw some assist as to how to best manipulate this plug in for optimal effect? As is, I certainly hear a "reduction" in "volume" of the track that I apply this plug in to -- but is that ALL that i should be getting from this plug in?
 
Depending on how you manipulate the settings, you will get wildly different results. If you set the ratio at 5:1, you will hear a big difference. If you then set the attack to something short (2ms), it will change the sound even more. You really just have to play with it. A lot of what you get out of certain settings depends on the signal you are sending to it.
 
gullyjewelz said:
Sonic Foundry Vegas 4 says:
"The Threshold value determines the level at which the dynamics processor begins acting on the signal. When the signal's level rises above the threshold, compression begins. A low threshold will cause more of the signal to be compressed. Excessive compression beginning at a very low threshold will usually result in distortion."

So when I apply "1.5 to 1" preset, the threshhold is automatically set at -24 without enabling auto gain compensation"

Any one wanna throw some assist as to how to best manipulate this plug in for optimal effect? As is, I certainly hear a "reduction" in "volume" of the track that I apply this plug in to -- but is that ALL that i should be getting from this plug in?
Click to expand...

Gully the level of threshhold should be determined by the signal that your trying to compress. COmpression is mostly used to make a sound more present or in your face. it is also used to even the sound if some notes are very loud and others are very soft.

again depending on what your trying to compress the threshold should be set to get the desired amount of gain reduction. for example if I am compressing some vocals i may only want 6-8 db reduction tops so I will keep moving the threshold until I get that amount of reduction regardless of where on the threshold that occurs.

I might be more help if you explain what your trying to do with this plugin ?
 
Gully, are you applying this to vocals or instrumentation?

You're noticing a reduction in volume because there is no gain compensation taking place. The idea of compression in vocals is to "level-out" the dynamic range so a scream in the mic isn't glaringly louder than a whisper. You still hold all the elements of the sound, yet the dynamics are adjusted to sit correctly in a mix. That's the key... what values allow it to sit correctly in the mix?

I commonly use a 3:1 ratio with a -24 threshold and a 6db gain compensation, with very short attack and release settings. That's very important in Hip-Hop vocals, to keep the attack and release very short so the compressor has time to reset before the next compression takes place.
 
now that was some FIRE for information - i can use them settings -- theres gold in them there settings . . . arrrgghhh!!!

lol

thanks 4 real though'

-----------but how short is short? 15 for attack? {and i take it 250 on the release is NOT short?)


oh and - ok i made those changes - but im not exactly sure what i am supposed to be able to "hear" in the vocal to notice the difference (how lame is my ear!!!)--i think i take THAT back -- i played the track back to back sev. times - with the original settings and the ones u gave me - n i FINALLY hear a dif. thank god!! i have ears again!! :eek: :D ;) :rolleyes: :cool:
 
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Glad my info helped you, son. I am an engineer on the side, so I hope I know what I'm talking about most of the time...lol.. While I do realize I still have plenty to learn. ;)

Anyway.... Attack time is very short, as in 1ms in the gain processor, with a release of 300 ms. In the Level Detector I keep the attack around .5ms and the release is longer, like 500 ms.

This doesn't completely squash the vocal dynamics, but does a very good job of leveling out the vocal so there aren't apparent gaps in volume.

So truthfully, the release isn't really short at all... in terms of compression anyway. It's still very short in terms of time..lol..
 
coll - i will be working with these settings some more - tryin to train my ear better !!!
 
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