How to remove Click/Transient? Comp or Clipper?

[Caine123]

hi guys, how do you work with a transient/attack sound you want to trim, e.g. a snare/hihat?

here is the graphic


i just used a clipper and clipped it so much until it stays to the sound and doesnt crush.

i also used a comp with very fast attack but somehow it doesnt solve the issue or i set it wrong.

[roman.i]

You can just fade in the volume.

[tehlord]

Transient shaper or good old fashioned volume automation.

[mystran]

i also used a comp with very fast attack but somehow it doesnt solve the issue or i set it wrong.

Compressors, even with very fast attack often don't really attack instantly, depends a bit on compressor, but generally for this kind of very fast transient a lookahead limiter is probably a better tool, though those can remove some of the impact from the sound if pushed hard, so clipping (soft or hard) might be subjectively more transparent... or the combination of the two, first clipping some and then limiting if it's still too high.

If it's a sample though, the ideal approach might be to just add an envelope, because this gives you the most freedom to shape it exactly like you want it.

[Igro]

In that situation a transient shaper would be the best bet. Then gate or clipper.

[MogwaiBoy]

Lot of ways to do this but from what I see in the graphic, I would just clip it - and looks like you have too.

You could test a 'transient shaper' and reduce the Attack, but once you start getting into enveloping you might re-shape the sound - which can be desirable or not. I think (hard) clipping a few dB's from the transients of drum sounds is generally the most transparent way to reduce their peak level while keeping at the same loudness. Just becareful you aren't giving up too much punch and clarity in the trade-off - because it is a trade-off, especially beyond a few dB.