KVR Audio

Debutante · Post by **Debutante** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 10:56 pm

Hello everyone!....I was just starting to get into compression when I heard about "Frequency Dependant Compressors". Can anyone cite examples of compressors that do this....CHEERS!

Frippertronix · Post by **Frippertronix** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:08 pm

Debutante wrote:Hello everyone!....I was just starting to get into compression when I heard about "Frequency Dependant Compressors". Can anyone cite examples of compressors that do this....CHEERS!

Do you mean multi band or spectral compressors? To my knowledge they just use crossovers to divide the frequency spectrum and apply different compressor settings to each.

Debutante · Post by **Debutante** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:20 pm

...not even sure, I'm really asking for any info anyone cares to share. I guess multiband compression is frequency specific, but it normally covers a pretty wide band.

Now, here's a strange question ; Is it possible to compress at a single specific frequency - say 400Hz - and why would you want to do that? I can almost think of some reasons you would ant to. I would like to know if anyone out there is doing that kind of compression

greendoor · Post by **greendoor** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 12:04 am

It's called sidechain compression, and de-essing would be a typical example. Compressors have a sidechain, which is the signal that controls the gain reduction circuit. Usually it is the same as the audio input, but with a sidechain compressor you have the option of changing this. You could use a completely different track - for example use a kick drum to punch some holes into your bass track. Or - you can eq the sidechain. If you eq'd out nothing but 400hz, that would have the effect of notching out 400hz on your compressed track.

kylen · Post by **kylen** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 12:07 am

That means to me a compressor that has some type of EQ in the side chain and it is accessible to the user...Kjaerhus (GCO, GAC), Elemental Audio (Neodynium), Voxengo (Voxformer - Oops that's not in the side chain I don't think but it is possibly pre-compression) to name 3 companies and compressors. You can kind of 'hype' part of the spectrum that the compressor sees to magnify or de-magnify certain freq ranges.

ED: That note I made about Voxformer is something I've been thinking about today. I don't know how big a deal it is to hype the freq pre-compressor or at the detector in the side chain...maybe some compressor developers might say something about that...

skullsplitter · Post by **skullsplitter** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 12:26 am

I use multiband compression on bass guitar tracks. I played for a long time with a plectrum but now I find that it's better to use fingers for recording. My technique isn't up to scratch and there is a noticeable difference in the loudness of certain low frequency notes. Using a multiband comp I can level out those boomy notes because it lets you compress only a part of the frequency spectrum. Or you can apply more or less compression to each frequency band. That way you squash only the parts that need to be squashed.
My favourite is Buzzroom's free Gran Comp 3
http://www.kvraudio.com/get/1047.html
which lets you dial in the frequency bands you want.
Thank you Buzzroom

lawapa · Post by **lawapa** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 1:21 am

By far my fav is the Sonitus multi band in Sonar. 5 bands with Q and ceter freq set then regular compression setting for each band. It rocks major. Izotop has one that's also to die for but it's more a master plug than a track plug because of CPU consunption.

feyshay · Post by **feyshay** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 1:34 am

I like Voxengo's spectral compressor. Essentially, this is a 32 band compressor. PSP Vintage Warmer works like a multi-band compressor, although it seems a little more than and a little less than a multi-band compressor. Then there is Neodynium--compresses by decibel bands rather than frequency bands. For example, it can compress or expand sounds within certain decibel ranges. Mess around with a free one or try out some demos and see what you like. I think it is an essential plug-in. I'd go with PSP's Vintage Warmer.

kylen · Post by **kylen** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 3:48 am

Debutante wrote:Hello everyone!....I was just starting to get into compression when I heard about "Frequency Dependant Compressors". Can anyone cite examples of compressors that do this....CHEERS!

Debutante - where did you hear about "Frequency Dependant Compressors"? We all seem to have our version of what that means...hyping the side-chain of a single band compressor - or using a multi-band compressor. In the end it would seem that the same basic thing is accomplished - the spectral balance (both eq & dynamics) is changed.

But does it sound the same? One main technical difference is the use of crossovers and in-plug summing in the case of most multi-bands like the Sonitus (I'm assuming this - might be wrong - developers?). Someone mentioned Soniformer - I think that one uses series stacked band-limited compressors as opposed to parallel bands and summing. How different do these multi-bands all sound? Then how different is the single-band vs multi-band sound? It's kind of a deep subject I think.

Rune L-H · Post by **Rune L-H** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 1:28 pm

Hello everyone!....I was just starting to get into compression when I heard about "Frequency Dependant Compressors". Can anyone cite examples of compressors that do this....CHEERS!

Hi,

Whether there's an absolute definition on "Frequency dependant compression" I can't say. There are many ways to make compression sensitive to frequency..for instance we could be talking about different release times for different bands etc.

However, the common understanding of "Frequency dependat compression" is altering the frequency spectrum of the sidechain signal triggering the compression. This could be something like rolling off the lower end, or emphasize the midle frequencies (on the trigger signal only..not the output signal). Ultimately this changes when and how the compression kicks in, and it can have a big impact on the compression sound.

There's a range of compressors offering this feature, and some offer more control over others. Besides the already mentioned ones, there's also the Sonalksis compressor which has 3 eq presets. Of course, I'll also mention otiumFX Compadre beatpuncher which offers 9 tweakable eq-filters and 2 high/low pass filters as well.

We all seem to have our version of what that means...hyping the side-chain of a single band compressor - or using a multi-band compressor. In the end it would seem that the same basic thing is accomplished

Well, the difference between this understanding of freqency dependant compression and regular multiband compression is, that multiband compression processes each band individually with possibly different settings etc. In "frequency dependant compression" the output is processed as one broadband audio signal through a single compressor setting...so to speak. You just change the input that triggers it.

Cheers,
Rune

soma · Post by **soma** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 1:35 pm

When I first read teh thread title I thought there was a new plugin to squeeze the same amplitude and transients into a smaller frequency range... (hmmm.. has me thinking of a cool spektral delay patch)

kylen · Post by **kylen** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 4:26 pm

Good info Rune!

I'm into multi-band also - I just plunked down some greenbacks on the Wave Arts 6-Band multiband ($149). Lately I like having the capability of isolating the subbass, bass, lomid, mid, presence, treble bands so I can EQ and compress/limit and easily rebalance stuff (full mixes). The Wave Arts MB sums the 6 bands in the plugin itself. Otherwise I can create my own summing multiband using Wide Boys FreEQ (to create bands - with steep slopes -in cloned tracks) and any compressor/limiter I like, usually Voxengo Elephant. Then I just let the audio app, usually Sonar4, sum the bands back together. There are a couple of effects chainer type VST plugins that allow this in the plugin also. But I would say I'm usually a multi-band guy and not too experienced at getting a good re-balance from frequency-dependant single band compression.

tomax · Post by **tomax** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:01 pm

check http://www.soundhack.com/shapers.php

[ xerocreep ] · Post by **[ xerocreep ]** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:29 pm

Processing just a specific frequency band? Sounds like you are talking about a dynamic EQ... Dynamic EQ's "compress" specific frequencies. They are good for numerous purposes. If I remember correctly, i believe someone made one in synthedit and there should be a vst floating around one of these forums. There is also one with one of those PCI processing bundles ( http://www.tcelectronic.com/DynamicEQ )...

In essence they are the basis for noise reduction, or can be used to cut or boost certain frequencies as they fall below or rise above the threshold.

Otherwise, multiband compressors are great for pulling a track together.

My default recomendation is always the Buzzroom Gran Comp 3. I like all of the controls it offers, as well as the level and gain reduction meters for each of its channels. The limiter on the output is very useful when mixing down.

Frequency Compression