Volume levels vs. compressor

[ryansharif89]

My friend and I just had a long discussion about the use of compressors versus manually adjusting the levels in real time.

In my opinion, using a compressor is the only real way to smoothen out the levels on a track, so that when a singer raises his voice to hit a higher note, it will come out the same volume as when he/she was singing at a regular volume.

According to my friend, you can manually make the volume lower at those particular points of the song just by using the volume control on the EQ; apparently the volume slider will go back to it's original state when the singer does.

If this is at all possible, can anyone explain the process to me?

thanks.

 

[Farview]

It's called automation. You just turn down the channel fader during the loud parts and turn it up during the quiet parts. It tends to sound more natural than compression.

Compression has a sound, if you want that sound, use compression. If you want to ride levels, ride the fader.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Yep, everything Jay said .

Plus the advantage of levels automation is that you can take it in the other direction as well; you can not only use it to even levels out, but you can also use it to make levels more dynamic.

And, as Jay said and is very important, automation does it all transparently, whereas compression does only half of it, and does that half with coloration.

G.

 

[scorpio01169]

keep in mind just cause you use compression doesnt mean you cant automate later during mixdown. yes compression does smooth out a track within itself but it wont adjust levels in the mix for you unless you compress the mix which is tricky in itself.

 

[ryansharif89]

thanks a lot for all of your help! I'll look into automation, hopefully there will be some tutorials with Sonar HS 4

 

[sweetnubs]

are you guys talking about software automation or automation on a console? Digital mixer or analog console? During tracking or mixing? Does the material have long sustained parts or does it contain lots of transients? The answer is not simple young padewons.

 

[tarnationsauce2]

In the old days that was what I did all the time, though it was by hand. So I had to remember all the parts of the song I was mixing. What a PITA!

You just have to keep your eye on the clip indicators in case your automation gets too high, or if there was an extreme transient you didn't catch.

I think it's best to use compression along with automation for most situations, especially vocal tracks.

 

[ryansharif89]

Awesome.

I haven't bought it yet, but does anyone know basically how automation works with software like Sonar 4 HS?

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Awesome.

I haven't bought it yet, but does anyone know basically how automation works with software like Sonar 4 HS?

I've not used Sonar on dry land, but it's probably like it is with every other editor...very easy.

The volume level control for each track sets the maximum gain for that track. Then using a rubber band control one sets volume change points (much like keyframes in video) at selected locations in the track's timeline.

If you haven't worked with rubber band controls before and are unfamiliar with them, don't worry about it. They are as easy as my third girlfriend.

G.

 

[ryansharif89]

Hahahaha, nice simile! I haven't experimented with rubber band controls, but it doesn't sound all that complex.

I appreciate your help!

 

[felipousis]

are you guys talking about software automation or automation on a console? Digital mixer or analog console? During tracking or mixing? Does the material have long sustained parts or does it contain lots of transients? The answer is not simple young padewons.

What an answer.... usually you use compressors to control the dynamic of a sound to make it smoother, that's why you set compressor in bass or snare and kick. The volume adjustment via automation is for other things like small variations, to increase some parts, etc...

 

[ryansharif89]

Yeah, I think I'll work on dynamics when I've gained more experience. First I'll tackle the overwhelming volumes on certain points on a track.

 

[sweetnubs]

What an answer.... usually you use compressors to control the dynamic of a sound to make it smoother, that's why you set compressor in bass or snare and kick. The volume adjustment via automation is for other things like small variations, to increase some parts, etc...

hey dipshit, if you were aware of the follies of using automation vs. compression and the medium in which the automation or compression was occuring then you wouldn't have answered my riddle with such a obviously retarded response. Now think about why I asked this question? Perhaps you may learn something young padewon. Long live thee nubs!

 

[felipousis]

mmm, I hate when an asshole is trying to be the master who knows everything...sorry master for not be an dipshit like you

 

[ryansharif89]

C'mon people. It's rubber bands...nothing serious, hahaha.

 

[sweetnubs]

mmm, I hate when an asshole is trying to be the master who knows everything...sorry master for not be an dipshit like you

You came off with a superior tone acting like I don't know what I'm talking about, apparently it is ok for you to chastise someone but when someone turns the tables you get all bent out of shape. My good person is that fair? Not that it bothers me mind you because I am a jedi master compared to you young padewon, I'm quite confident in my powers so now get back to work and think about my original questions and why I asked them. Perhaps you may learn something young one, perhaps you will at that. And by the way compression is not generally used to "control the dynamic of the sound to make it smoother" and you don't always compress the kick and snare. Perhaps you meant the dynamic range of a signal? yes? Now we're getting somewhere my child.

 

[Dr Biscuits]

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/starwarskidv.html

 

[littledog]

I haven't been here in such a long time. Now I remember what I've been missing - Sweetnubs!

 

[felipousis]

You came off with a superior tone acting like I don't know what I'm talking about....

That's the problem, I think your first answer was terrific, it was right and clever, but I don't like your attitude of master of something. Maybe, due the translation between Spanish-English, I didn't set right my point of view, that's all.

Anyway, the idea is to share knowledge and experiencie, if your way to share is to think you are the center of the universe and the others just padawans, fine, I can deal with it, I do it everyday with my students...

Peace.

 

[brendandwyer]

Sweetnubs is like a couple of other members on this site. They are knowledgable (or at least they seem that way) but have horrible (online) personalities.

It doesn't matter how much you know, it only matters how well you teach people what you know. That's what the rep points are for. They are not a reflection of your knowledge, they are a reflection of your character.