Compression

madtheory

That is the coolest GR meter ever!

Seziertisch

I've been using this quite a bit recently.

http://www.irishaircompressors.com/files/dental2.pdf

Getting really good results, I a/bed it with the plug-in version and there was just no comparison.

Seziertisch

Otherwise, this is worth a read

http://www.mbrauer.com/articles/tapeop.asp?pp=1

krd

Although, I am an amateur, who has trouble distinguishing arses from elbows, and Brasso from dogsh1t.

I believe now, that overall compression, is a bad thing, because it's too imprecise. And better results can be achieved through going around the long way on the sounds.

Imagine it this way - you're like a painter. In a smock, and with a berry. And you gently touch up the levels - with your brush (the pencil tool) - that would be the artistic think to do. Or, you could be a painter "and" decorator, from Navan, with his roller, his 80 a day fag habit, and drink problem, and his roller - givin' it an f'ing job. ........In magnolia.

You have to decide.

Are you going to be a painter.

Or

A painter and decorator.

What's the aural equivalent of wall paper?

i57dwun4yb1pt8

krd wrote: »

You have to decide.

Are you going to be a painter.

Or

A painter and decorator.

What's the aural equivalent of wall paper?

this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcF9ICgLqi4

Hayte

Hrmmm, I'm not sure I understand the analogy but compression is very precise. You determine the compression ratio and the amplitude at which it starts working. Even if you set the threshold as low as it will go (full scale gain reduction), it will track the input far quicker and more accurately than if you were to ride the channel volume fader.

krd

Hayte wrote: »

Hrmmm, I'm not sure I understand the analogy but compression is very precise. You determine the compression ratio and the amplitude at which it starts working. Even if you set the threshold as low as it will go (full scale gain reduction), it will track the input far quicker and more accurately than if you were to ride the channel volume fader.

Ratio? Amplitude? Threshold?

Are you some kind of mathematician, physicist, or something.

You know it might be the wrong way to think about things. Like, "Hey, this melody line sounds a little weak and grooveless - why don't I whack up the magic sauce, and make it louder"

You know, I think compression could be the equivalent of one of those penis pump things. Yes, it might give you a bigger cock - but it will be no short cut to making you a master love maker. I want you to think about that metaphor a little. Pause........and reflect.

madtheory

krd wrote: »

Ratio? Amplitude? Threshold?

Are you some kind of mathematician, physicist, or something.

In fairness, the job is sound engineering. Being mad and creative is fine if it's your own compositions, but if you're the person hired to record and mix it, then you damn well should be an engineer. And being technically adept does not preclude creativity. It just takes a bit more effort.

krd

madtheory wrote: »

In fairness, the job is sound engineering. Being mad and creative is fine if it's your own compositions, but if you're the person hired to record and mix it, then you damn well should be an engineer. And being technically adept does not preclude creativity. It just takes a bit more effort.

Technical adeptness is also in knowing when not to use something.

And I'm not even talking in terms of creativity.

And you don't call someone who makes handmade violins, flutes, lutes, and guitars for a living, an engineer. You call them a craftsman. And engineer is a Big Ignorant F****, who digs the road up with a shovel.

There is a saying about carpenters...that a true carpenter never uses a hammer nor nails.

Hayte

krd wrote:

Ratio? Amplitude? Threshold?

Are you some kind of mathematician, physicist, or something.

You know it might be the wrong way to think about things. Like, "Hey, this melody line sounds a little weak and grooveless - why don't I whack up the magic sauce, and make it louder"

You know, I think compression could be the equivalent of one of those penis pump things. Yes, it might give you a bigger cock - but it will be no short cut to making you a master love maker. I want you to think about that metaphor a little. Pause........and reflect.

I don't know why you are laying into me. Ratio, Amplitude and Threshold are terms that you see on all compressors so if you understand what they do, then you can use all compressors. It helps to know how they work if you want to have any control over what you are doing, otherwise everything is just accidental. Sometimes you can have a happy accident and its all good, other times you'll have a complete disaster and you won't know how to fix it. Shrugs.

You don't have to learn how a comp works if you don't want to and I'm certainly not forcing you.

krd

Hayte wrote: »

I don't know why you are laying into me. Ratio, Amplitude and Threshold are terms that you see on all compressors so if you understand what they do, then you can use all compressors. It helps to know how they work if you want to have any control over what you are doing, otherwise everything is just accidental. Sometimes you can have a happy accident and its all good, other times you'll have a complete disaster and you won't know how to fix it. Shrugs.

You don't have to learn how a comp works if you don't want to and I'm certainly not forcing you.

It's nothing personal......it's not meant to be personal...it's more of
a philosophical discussion.

Anyway... I'm listening to the radio - Phanthom - And I'm wondering, their compression: are they using some kind of groove compression to give the music an extra pulse?

madtheory

krd wrote: »

Technical adeptness is also in knowing when not to use something.

No one said otherwise.

krd wrote: »

And you don't call someone who makes handmade violins, flutes, lutes, and guitars for a living, an engineer. You call them a craftsman. And engineer is a Big Ignorant F****, who digs the road up with a shovel.

I think you'll find that the better luthiers know "a thing or two" about maths and physics, but that's beside the point. We're talking about using compression, in the course of working as a sound engineer.

You're making the typical incorrect generalisation- engineer applies to more than just civil engineering (which is what I assume you're describing so colourfully). Here is how Audio Engineering is defined on the Surrey Tonmeister course:
"The study of technical aspects of audio such as electronics, acoustics and signal processing."
http://www.surrey.ac.uk/msr/study/ug/bcourse/index.htm