Why compress RMS?
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2290 posts since 18 Oct, 2010 from Japan
I can hear the difference between Peak compression and RMS compression - RMS seems to make the audio MUCH louder when compared to peak. It was only just moments before posting this I finally understood what RMS is and it all seems related to speakers - so I think I see the correlation, but if someone could expand on it I would appreciate it.
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- KVRist
- 144 posts since 28 Feb, 2008
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- KVRist
- 116 posts since 12 Jun, 2009 from København/Göteborg
One simple way of thinking about RMS-compression is that it compresses the loud parts (what we HEAR as loud) instead of the peaks (which we do not necessarily hear as loud).
Another way to think of it is that it is "slower"...You can kinda think of RMS as an average over (a short) time.
Its of course not nearly as simple, but i mostly use peak for "envelope shaping" and RMS for "loudness levelling".
Another way to think of it is that it is "slower"...You can kinda think of RMS as an average over (a short) time.
Its of course not nearly as simple, but i mostly use peak for "envelope shaping" and RMS for "loudness levelling".
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2290 posts since 18 Oct, 2010 from Japan
Ah, yes.
the link and j79's response seemed to help me out in understanding it. So, then I guess, ideally, I would want to use RMS on drums if I want to retain their excitement?
the link and j79's response seemed to help me out in understanding it. So, then I guess, ideally, I would want to use RMS on drums if I want to retain their excitement?
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- KVRAF
- 6741 posts since 25 Mar, 2002 from sheffield, england
Not really as simple as that. "Excitement" is a subjective term that will mean different things to different people. The "best" settings for the drums will also depend on the context: the drums need to fit the rest of the mix.ntom wrote:Ah, yes.
the link and j79's response seemed to help me out in understanding it. So, then I guess, ideally, I would want to use RMS on drums if I want to retain their excitement?
If you want to make your drums sound "fatter" (another subjective term, but more specific than "exciting") you will probably want a fast peak sensing compressor design capable of catching short transients. However, you are just as likely to be compressing your drums to make them "snappier" or "punchier" in which case you want a slower attack time so that transients are shaped by the attack of the compressor, rather than just smashed. In this case you might get the sound you want by using a peak sensing comp again, but with a slower attack. Or you might prefer the different type of transient shaping that will be provided by an RMS design.
If you want a simple rule of thumb: "fat" drum sounds will probably require a peak sensing compressor, while "punchy" drums might need a peak sensing design with a carefully tuned attack time, or an RMS design depending on your starting point and the sound you are trying to achieve.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2290 posts since 18 Oct, 2010 from Japan
Sorry for not clarifying that, but excitement I mean that attack on the drums to make them punchy.IIRs wrote:
Not really as simple as that. "Excitement" is a subjective term that will mean different things to different people. The "best" settings for the drums will also depend on the context: the drums need to fit the rest of the mix.
If you want to make your drums sound "fatter" (another subjective term, but more specific than "exciting") you will probably want a fast peak sensing compressor design capable of catching short transients. However, you are just as likely to be compressing your drums to make them "snappier" or "punchier" in which case you want a slower attack time so that transients are shaped by the attack of the compressor, rather than just smashed. In this case you might get the sound you want by using a peak sensing comp again, but with a slower attack. Or you might prefer the different type of transient shaping that will be provided by an RMS design.
If you want a simple rule of thumb: "fat" drum sounds will probably require a peak sensing compressor, while "punchy" drums might need a peak sensing design with a carefully tuned attack time, or an RMS design depending on your starting point and the sound you are trying to achieve.
In most cases I have used peak compression with a very slow attack and about a 60/40 mix (w/d) to me it seemed to keep a good amount of punch, but would it be more beneficial to do punchy with RMS compression?
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- KVRAF
- 6741 posts since 25 Mar, 2002 from sheffield, england
I don't know. I can't hear the drum sound you're starting with, nor can i hear the sound in your head that you're aiming for. I suggest you try both (in context) then make an aesthetic choice.ntom wrote:would it be more beneficial to do punchy with RMS compression?
Question: how do i get from a to b.
Answer: it depends, where is b, and where is a?
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2290 posts since 18 Oct, 2010 from Japan
Well I suppose I can feel a nice powerful attack that isn't compressed much, so I suppose whatever I am doing is doing it right which usually was related to peak compression.
thanks for the answers. Guess we can call it a wrap.
thanks for the answers. Guess we can call it a wrap.