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Nicolas Anderson
Yay! Dynamic Signal Processing. lol. This chapter was a little difficult for me with all it's parameters & such, but we got it done. First off, dynamic range is the ratio between the largest & smallest possible values of a changeable quantity. We apply dynamic range processing to tracks in order to control that "quantity." Compressors/Limiters, Expanders, & Gates are the primary tools we use to do this. Compressors (aka limiters) limit the dynamic range of audio signals: especially handy when a vocalist sings at an inconsistent volume, or when recording a slap bass or an inconsistent drummer. Expanders, as their name implies, expand the dynamic range of audio signals: practical when reducing bleed or noise in a recording. Gates are a lot like expanders, but they attenuate any signal that doesn't cross the threshold.
Allow me to explain. A Threshold is the point at wich a signal processor engages. This is triggered by the signal passing through it. Once the signal reaches a certain decible point, the processor will begin to attenuate or boost, depending on the tool you are using. This is one of the primary parameters of signal processors. There is also the Ratio: the amount of gain reduction (attenuation) applied to the signal after crossing the threshold.
Here's an example: if the ratio is 3:1, for every 3 dB of signal you put through the input of the compressor, you will get 1 dB of output. So if you had 6dB of input, you'll only get 2dB of output. etc. etc.
The Attack is how quickly the compression begins after the incomming signal breaches the threshold. The Realease is the amount of time it takes for compression to disengage after the signal drops below the threshold again. The Makeup Gain is the gain (volume) applied to the signal after compression to compensate for the inherent loss of level. The gain applied to the signal before compression is applied is called the Input Gain. The Knee determines how the compressor will respond as the signal reaches the threshold. A hard knee applies the compression abruptly, & the soft knee applies it gradually. Also important to know is the Output Gain: gain applied to the signal post processing (makeup gain essentially) & Stereo Linking: applying the same amount of compression to both left & right channels of audio.
Other Parameters to keep in mind: Look-Ahead, Dry/Wet, Peak vs. RMS, Hold, Range, etc. etc. Can you blame me for not getting it the first time? lol. There are lots of creative ways to use compression. My mentor showed me a couple, very advanced techniques to say the least. Things like Ducking, Multiband Compression, Parallel Compression, Pumping, Serial Compression, Side Chaining. I havn't used them yet, but I'm kinda nervous & kinda excited to try them out. What's the worst that can happen?
