Why don't I know this

[Alanfc]

I've searched like crazy

must be really obvious

The "Detection Algorithm" in Cakewalk's FX Compressor

RMS

or

Average

when I choose Average, it sounds better, more open
When I choose RMS it sounds dull

But whats sonically the best choice? I know what the terms mean but neither in Cakewalk Literature or these boards can I find someone asking this question
Help?

/edit/
I've just gone in and found that the effect called "dynamics processor" has 3 choices, Peak, Average, RMS

it looks like the compressor - is it basically the same?
thanks

 

[laptoppop]

The best one is the one that sounds best to your ears. Some folks would use average for per-track compressing, and RMS for compressing the entire mix, but it varies with every case.

The dynamics plugin is very similar to the compressor, but it is a little more powerful at the expense of needing a bit more CPU. It is able to act as an expander, not just a compressor. (I can't recall - it may have gating functions too). Basically, the dynamics processor is a superset of the compressor.

-lee-

 

[Alanfc]

The best one is the one that sounds best to your ears. Some folks would use average for per-track compressing, and RMS for compressing the entire mix, but it varies with every case.

The dynamics plugin is very similar to the compressor, but it is a little more powerful at the expense of needing a bit more CPU. It is able to act as an expander, not just a compressor. (I can't recall - it may have gating functions too). Basically, the dynamics processor is a superset of the compressor.

-lee-

excellent/thanks Lee !

Maybe I need to get a Garrigus book to go deep like this, unlike the help file that came with the Cakewalk software