Q: MAutoVolume working

[DarkStar]

I'm having a bit of trouble understanding how MAV is working.

With the default settings and an increasing input level (from an MOscillator sine wave) I get the following:

The output starts off much quieter, jumps suddenly at about -40dB input, increases slowly and is overtaken at about -14dB. Intuitively, that doesn't seem right to me.

Then, with a constant input level of -36dB and an increasing sidechain signal I get htis:

The output level does not change until the sidechian gets close to it, and the output is quickly overtaken - not keeping "on top".

I am clearly missing something - but what?

[Chandlerhimself]

The 1st example is correct. There is a noise gate(ceiling) level and no action takes place below that level. You can change this of course, but that's why the jump occurs. Without that noise would boosted which would sound terrible.

In the 2nd example I don't know, perhaps it's the sensitivity settings.

[DarkStar]

Thank you - yes, disabling the Noise Gate or dropping the noise level gives more understandable results

When enabling the sidechain, changing the Sensitivity or Range or both did not not change the output much from that shown in the gif above.

I looked at the video on the web site but could not get a similar result.

[MeldaProduction]

Ok, is there still some question?

As for the sidechain processing - there it depends on lots of settings. But for your tests it looks like you want sensitivity and background sensitivity both at maximum.

[DarkStar]

Only that I have not grasped how to use it.

[alexis1]

I don't understand in what circumstances the processing shown on the first graph would be helpful:

Downward expansion initially, then ( at -40), instantaneous transition to upward expansion, then (at -20), downward compression.

I have tried to use the plug-in to reduce the dynamic range by leveling off the loudest bits (downward compression). Am I right in interpreting the first figure that it would not do that ( since it increases the dynamic range when the signal is quieter than -20 dB)?

Or ...?

[alexis1]

Duplicated in error, sorry.

[steve2KVR]

...the "key" for me came when I Finally realized (RTFM.baby) that the source signal needed to be raised/lowered to approximately -16dbfs, the internal threshold, and then everything else "adjusted" as needed. I was coming from having used several other plugins with their own peculiarities about being set up in the signal chain and was trying to get Melda to work the same way...hth.../s~

[pumafred]

...the "key" for me came when I Finally realized (RTFM.baby) that the source signal needed to be raised/lowered to approximately -16dbfs, the internal threshold, and then everything else "adjusted" as needed. I was coming from having used several other plugins with their own peculiarities about being set up in the signal chain and was trying to get Melda to work the same way...hth.../s~

My source signal usually comes in at -18dbfs and therefore I see MAutoV always increasing gain, never decreasing. But, presumably, the volume riding is done correctly anyway, no? Or am I missing something? (Of course, I then have to reduce output if I want to continue at -18...)

BTW, this reminds me: wouldn´t it be good to be able to set that internal threshold, instead of having it fixed at -16dbfs?

[steve2KVR]

...I find MAV settings to be extremely context sensitive, so I can't really comment on your particular situation. I've attached code from a current project being used on the main vocal. Twist the knobs for your situation as needed, the important thing here are the graphs, I don't use the bouncing bars with this particular plugin. Keep "twisting" the controls until the gain "centers" around the central white line. Then set the output level as needed back in the mix...

...seems to me the input/output level knobs accomplish the same thing as having an adjustable threshold...however, imho, the documentation should/could have way more emphasis on how to use them ...hth .../s~

Code: Select all

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

[pumafred]

Thanks.
Embarrassed to ask: how do I use the attached code?

[jmg8]

Click 'select all' then copy.
Then open the plugin and in the bottom left corner there is a paste button.

[pumafred]

Click 'select all' then copy.
Then open the plugin and in the bottom left corner there is a paste button.

Thanks!

[jmg8]

Oops, i meant bottom right. Glad you found it.

[MeldaProduction]

@DarkStar - simple, just place it onto a track, set input gain so that the Gain meter seems to go both up and down (otherwise it may be limiting the gain too much) and output gain to the requested output level. Rest of the parameters at will. But an important comment for everyone - this is NOT a compressor! Way too many people asked questions that seemed "they wanted to use it as a compressor", which is a nonsense, it's a specialized tool for stabilizing loudness/level, not a tool to adjust sound character. You can use it that way too, but that's not really intentional .