Another "compressor position" question...

[irpacynot]

First, let me say, I'm using Tracktion Waveform. I mention that in case the software plays a role in any of it. But I'm wondering...

When editing and mixing, I typically (pretty much always) place the compressor at the end of the chain. That being said, here with the last project I've been working on, there was a track that I used Ozone Imager on that seemed affected in a negative way, possibly by placing the compressor after it.

I had a denoiser at the front of the chain, followed by an EQ, and then Ozone, with the compressor at the end. I wanted the full stereo effect of Ozone (everything maxed out). I could still hear a decent amount of stereo, but it didn't seem like it was blasting that wideness like Ozone normally does without the compressor after it.

Placebo?

What would you do? Before or after the compressor in the chain?

[funky lime]

Could be due to using stereo (i.e. linked) compressor instead of dual mono, or vice versa?

Stereo compressor listens/compresses the whole signal. I.e. even if just the left hits the threshold, it still compresses both left and right. Dual mono is the opposite... it would only compress the left, since the right didn't need compressing. Regardless, each mode csn potentially sound different with regard to stereo image... and if the compressor is after the widener, this will likely be more noticeable

same idea with mid/side

Or maybe i'm totally wrong and someone will kindly correct me

[irpacynot]

Could be due to using stereo (i.e. linked) compressor instead of dual mono, or vice versa?

Stereo compressor listens/compresses the whole signal. I.e. even if just the left hits the threshold, it still compresses both left and right. Dual mono is the opposite... it would only compress the left, since the right didn't need compressing. Regardless, each mode csn potentially sound different with regard to stereo image... and if the compressor is after the widener, this will likely be more noticeable

same idea with mid/side

Or maybe i'm totally wrong and someone will kindly correct me

Wow, all right. Thank you. I've still so much to learn about all this. I hadn't considered that. Honestly, though I've tried TDR's mid-side compressor, and it can do some beautiful things, I don't feel like I'm quite qualified yet to make it work, unless accidentally . I'm just using the basic Waveform built-in compressor.

But I'll start tinkering around with it, and see if I can't get a better grasp on the mechanics.

[legendCNCD]

Also the position of effects, if you have stuff before compressor, you'll compress them and might make some moves worse. I usually compress the signal first, then eq etc. - but this depends of course

[irpacynot]

Also the position of effects, if you have stuff before compressor, you'll compress them and might make some moves worse. I usually compress the signal first, then eq etc. - but this depends of course

Yeah, from what I've been reading and watching on YT, seems there appear to be two camps on that. But like you say, I'm thinking the reasonable approach would be to consider it in terms of need for a particular situation/track/song.