instrument output levels and compression

[impulse one]

When you're using a compressor on an instrument, do you amplify the output of the instrument so that it's peaking close to 0db before it goes into the compressor?

I was playing around in Orion Pro with the SF Wave Hammer today, and I noticed that most of the instruments peak at around -10 db. The volume sliders in the mixer only seem to affect the level post-fx, so although the level indicator changes/lights up when you change the volume in the mixer, the actual level that's sent to the compressor in the fx insert slot stays the same whatever you set the level of the channel to in the mixer.

Should I be adjusting the output of the instruments so that they're peaking at around 0db before they reach the compressor, or should I not worry about it?

[shamann]

When you're using a compressor on an instrument, do you amplify the output of the instrument so that it's peaking close to 0db before it goes into the compressor?

I was playing around in Orion Pro with the SF Wave Hammer today, and I noticed that most of the instruments peak at around -10 db. The volume sliders in the mixer only seem to affect the level post-fx, so although the level indicator changes/lights up when you change the volume in the mixer, the actual level that's sent to the compressor in the fx insert slot stays the same whatever you set the level of the channel to in the mixer.

Should I be adjusting the output of the instruments so that they're peaking at around 0db before they reach the compressor, or should I not worry about it?

Wave Hammer is both a compressor and master limiter, and I can't remember there being an input gain, so it doesn't work great as an overdriven compressor. You could always turn the volume up on the compressor half, and then use the limiter as a second compressor, but the sound might suck.

As for -0db, I wouldn't worry about it unless you're after a specific effect. You certainly don't need an input to be that loud to be compressed. Just fiddle with the threshold setting. I'm generally of the opinion that everything is being mastered too loud as it is, so it's best to try to approach compression subtly, just manage transient peaks rather than beat the hell out of your sound. Unless of course that's what you're after, in which case only do it with some of your sounds, and then only judiciously.

Cheers,
Steve

[DevonB]

Do what sounds good, there is no hard and fast rule on what it 'should' be set to. Hell, the would 'should' in audio doesn't have to be followed.

Devon

[paulie]

When you're using a compressor on an instrument, do you amplify the output of the instrument so that it's peaking close to 0db before it goes into the compressor?

I think the short answer is no. The key is the threshold setting. If your threshold is set to -10db then the compressor will only operate on signals between and -10 and 0db. On the other hand if your signals were peaking at -10db and you set the threshold to -20db then you would get the same result i.e. you are compressing the top 10db.

The next thing is compress by how much? which is the ratio setting, then how quickly (attack) and how long does it lower the volume for (release). As you have effectively lowered the volum by compressing, you will (probably) need to increase the output gain

These are the mechanics, but as somebody already said use your ears !

Hope this helps
Paulie

[kritikon]

It depends what you're doing. If you are compressing something and then rendering to audio, it makes sense to get everything as close to 0dB as you can - and some compressors might affect the sound with the gain stage I suppose, so maybe you wouldn't want to have to use a whole load of gain make-up.

But personally I don't generally have a channel output too high before compressing (I also use comps that don't seem to bugger about too much). For the simple reason that if you have big transients, you may want to keep them as transients, and have attack on your compression to let them through. If these transients are coming through, then you're more likely to clip your channel when you use gain make-up in your comp. And in most circumstances you will want to use gain make-up.

It is generally just easier to have your mix roughly done without any dynamics, then alter gain on any channels you have compression on by fiddling with the comp output. If for no other reason than if you decide to change the comp or its settings, the output of your channel without compression is then stuffed up. If you're absolutley sure that particular comp is the one you're going to use, then I suppose there's no real reason why you shouldn't boost the channel input. But how often do we have mixes that within one sitting are completely rejigged with different Eqs, different comps etc - I know I'm never sure when a mix is complete until it is complete - and even then it usually isn't complete

But no rules apply - do whichever you're most comfortable with.

[impulse one]

Thanks for the replies, everybody. I really appreciate it

Wave Hammer is both a compressor and master limiter, and I can't remember there being an input gain, so it doesn't work great as an overdriven compressor. You could always turn the volume up on the compressor half, and then use the limiter as a second compressor, but the sound might suck.

Actually, I don't use Wave Hammer very much - I usually use SuperCamelPhat, Endorphin or Blockfish. The main reason that I mentioned it was because the ones I normally use don't have a level meter for the input, so I never realised that vstis were so quiet or that the channel fader in the mixer didn't affect the level sent to the fx until I saw the meters on Wave Hammer!

I guess it explains why none of the presets on compressors or the advice in tuturials on mixing ever seemed to do anything much. I just assumed that it was all a bit too subtle for somebody like me, and that I'd pick it up with experience

anyway, thanks again

[DevonB]

I guess it explains why none of the presets on compressors or the advice in tuturials on mixing ever seemed to do anything much.

Presets on compressors or EQ's are great.... for starting from a specific point quickly. A preset as they stand is usually pretty worthless for something like that. A preset for a delay is handy though.

Devon