Cleanest most transparent vst compressor?

[futurefields]

What a compressor does is apply gain-reduction whenever the signal passes over a certain threshold, which is determined by the user. Above this threshold, "ratio" selector will tell you how much gain reduction will occur. If there is a 2:1 ratio, once the audio signal is over the threshold, it will require 2 decibels of INPUT gain to yield 1 decibel of OUTPUT volume. In other words, once the signal is above the ratio, it will have exactly 1/2 the dynamic range that it would if it were not compressed at all.

One-half the dynamic range? This doesn't seem right. Volume level, perhaps, but I don't remember this being a direct correlation to dynamic range.

Once a signal is going 2:1, that should be half the dynamic range of a non-compressed signal, just in terms of of the math and what not.

[futurefields]

I really suck at articulating anything. Basically, if you drop the threshold down all the way, set a hard knee, and ratio 2:1, you are cutting the dynamics in half, literally.

[Qbassj]

Try the UAD-1/-2-Precision Bus Compressor-"The Precision Buss Compressor is a dual-VCA-type dynamic processor that yields modern, transparent gain reduction characteristics." - It's quite amazing and offers parallel compression via a wet /dry knob.

[tony tony chopper]

The use of compression doesn't have to result in louder, In fact, without make-up gain of some sort, it will typically be lower than the original level.

Yes but the ultimate reason to want to transparently/inaudibly reduce peaks, is to eventually have a louder mix (even if you're only compressing 1 track for its problem peaks not to give troubles in the final mix, you're still doing it for the same reason). I don't see another reason to do it, & the compensation gain is a detail.
Still, not everyone here agrees that transparent means inaudible, & the OP wants more punch, thus not transparency IMHO. & I thought that 'fuller' meant fuller spectrally, towards pink noise, & that 'more punch' meant transients shaped to stand out. Is it agreed by everyone that 'fuller' means fuller in the time domain (thus overcompressed) (& thus that more punch has to mean something else)?

I think that KVR needs a glossary of audio terms. I mean you can google all you want for "full sound", you're not gonna find any definition. With such a glossary you'd just link to the description of the terms.
I predict that the major problem will be
-to describe with proper terms (I mean not "fuller = warmth + icecoldness")
-it's gonna generate fights as my whole point is that no one agrees on what those terms mean, that the mental image is always different. Even just "fat" alone means anything & nothing.
Maybe an urban dictionary of audio terms?

[futurefields]

Still, not everyone here agrees that transparent means inaudible, & the OP wants more punch, thus not transparency IMHO.

On the contrary, transparency in compression is exactly what leads to more punch, because you're doing less damage to the transients. That's why a relatively transparent compressor like the SSL G-Bus is so renowned for it's punchiness.

[futurefields]

I'm still trying to figure out wtf "analog sound" means...

At it's most basic level, an "analog" sounding compressor shouldn't suffer from any digital clicking or digital artifacts. It should translate audio smoothly, like an analog hardware processor.

Beyond that, you can add extra "analog" stuff like harmonic distortion and so forth.

But even some of the best analog designs, like the tube tech, or the ssl master bus comp, actually have very little of what people would describe as "mojo", they just sound clean and punchy while compressing. which is perfect in a lot of situations. just no digital artifact nastiness, thankyouverymuch.

[tony tony chopper]

On the contrary, transparency in compression is exactly what leads to more punch, because you're doing less damage to the transients.

But more punch than what, the original signal or more punch than something badly compressed?

[futurefields]

It depends on how you set the compressor. Setting an ssl compressor up for 30ms attack, you're should gain extra punch, because it's going to accentuate the transients. Set it to 1msec attack and it's going to crush the transient, therefore diminishing punch. Throw tubey distortion on a crushed signal and you're going to have even less punch because saturating the waveform will further diminish transients.

[deaf dunderkwac]

I'm still trying to figure out wtf "analog sound" means...

At it's most basic level, an "analog" sounding compressor shouldn't suffer from any digital clicking or digital artifacts. It should translate audio smoothly, like an analog hardware processor.

Apparently you've never used the Quad-Eight analogue inboard-compressor or an Aphex Dominator and quite a few other bits of analogue hardware dynamics controllers or you wouldn't have written this.
Even though they were not 'digital' they managed to embed all sorts of 'digital-sounding' clicks, zipper noise and other crap artifacts into the signal.

Some vst dynamics controllers suffer from too wide of a control range and can be setup to create artifacts - a user malady mainly. Easily overcome by proper adjustment. ymmv

[futurefields]

hey man, im just tellin u what i think when i think "analog" *shrugs*

[deaf dunderkwac]

hey man, im just tellin u what i think when i think "analog" *shrugs*

no problems

I just enjoy bursting analogue bubble talk as all the recording formats and most of the equipment {only available to the few} was not so gr8, esp. compared to what software(s) everyone with a *very* modest investment has available now (for less than the cost of ONE good stereo hardware compressor from 'back in the day')
I can only think of a few dynamics vst plugins that are complete bullocks. (also they've vurchally disappeared also LOL)
Most every dynamics plugin I have (includes mainly the free stuff) has a use. None suffer from clicks etc. unless I want that to happen.

Note- I rarely use a compressor for moar punch (whatever I think of as 'punch', anyways), as there are other methods available besides relying on squashing the dynamics.


carry on- sorry to derail your quest for the majical elixar

[Meffy]

Ohhkay, time for a split. Temporary lock, unlocked soon as the "glossary?" thread is removed from the "compressor?" thread.

[edit] Here it is: http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4095859

Please leave the discussion of "But what does _____ really mean?" to that thread, so this one can continue to be about compressor advice. Thanks.

[dickiefunk]

I've been trying these out on the drum buss and I'm really digging the Stillwell compressors, The Glue, Density mkII and believe it or not the Antress Apophis!!

They all sound slightly different but I can get pretty similar results with all of these.

Hmm $99 for the Glue vs Stillwell or Density mkII!?

I will continue to do some further tests and listening but I'm really surprised at how freeware/cheap vst's sound compared to the more expensive ones!!

[dickiefunk]

Hmm,

Have to admit I'm torn between getting Stillwells Bombardier and Major Tom or Fabfilter's Pro-C. I do like the Glue but don't find it offers anything worthwhile over Density mkII and Stillwells Bombardier.

I like them all but love the ease of use of Stillwells Major Tom.

The Antress stuff is also pretty handy but I found these could be unreliable in loading and sometimes caused a crash.

I'm going to do a little more playing around with the ReaComps and PSP's Old Timer before I finally make a decision!

[Tp3]

Ohhkay, time for a split. Temporary lock, unlocked soon as the "glossary?" thread is removed from the "compressor?" thread.

[edit] Here it is: http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4095859

Please leave the discussion of "But what does _____ really mean?" to that thread, so this one can continue to be about compressor advice. Thanks.

But how can you ?

It's as if someone asks :

"Man, who is the most influential non-ethnic person in recent 100 years ?"

and being answered

"hooo... influential, you ask ? There's Obama, Nelson Mandela, Magic Johnson, Oprah Winfrey... but I really dig Michael Jordan !!"

Or

"What is the most beautiful shades of red ?"

and being answered

"Sapphire, man !! it is mesmerizing "

We refuse to be
What you wanted us to be;
We are what we are:
That's the way (way) it's going to be. You don't know!
You can't educate I
For no equal opportunity:
(Talkin' 'bout my freedom) Talkin' 'bout my freedom,
People freedom (freedom) and liberty!
Yeah, we've been trodding on the winepress much too long:
Rebel, rebel!
Yes, we've been trodding on the winepress much too long:
Rebel, rebel!

Babylon system is the vampire, yea! (vampire)

I guess that is the price we pay for that "No Rules" thingy...