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Answers to rhuobhe’s question

The following question has been asked under the “how to adjust compressor settings (part 1)” post:

I have a question for you if you don’t mind. I seem to fail at squashing peaks with high ratio/high threshold because the compressors i’ve tried won’t have fast enough attack times so the peaks partially go through and they end up eating my headroom (unless I use a limiter and that feels like cheating). Am I doing something wrong?

Hello Rhuobhe’s, thank you very much for your participation. I don’t mind, I encourage it ! It seem to me that the compressor you’re using is either not set properly or simply not the appropriate one for your application. Let me explain:

  • Like you have said, yes it’s possible that the attack time is not fast enough. I suggest you to read the blogpost about adjusting attack and release time on compressors that is a bit more recent that the one you posted your comment. If you can set the attack time faster on your compressor, is it solving the problem ?
  • If not, it is definitely possible that the compressor you’re using is simply not the good one. There is a subject that I’ve not covered yet on compressor: Peak/RMS detection. Before taking a decision, the compressor analyze the signal. The way the signal is interpreted has a HUGE influence on how the compressor will sound. RMS detection take into account the area under the curve a certain amount of time before  (averaged value) while the peak is simply taking into account the actual position (instantaneous value).  For signal with dangerous dynamic that might cutoff your headroom, peak detection might be the right choice.
  • About that, compressors are often based on RMS detection (smoother response) and limiter on peak detection. In my case, I think the best is to have the choice. Compressor RMS-detection-based will sound good on vocals, but not necessarily on high dynamic content. That can be also the reason why we have the impression sometimes that a cheaper compressor is better that an expensive one for some application.
  • There is nothing bad using “limiter” if it’s not a maximizer or a hardclipper. A lot of compressor, like VOF Density for example, that let you select between LIM or COMP. In that case, Limiting has nothing to do with maximizer. Those limiters often have a ratio of about 10:1, which  is not clipping. Try to avoid the use of maximizer or hard clipping.
  • I think, in your case, the best will be a peak-detection compressor. Set at near-zero attack setting, it will compress.  If you don’t have one, I can program a simple one for you.

I hope this answered to your question. Please, do not hesitate if you have other questions.

Sincerly,

Chris

13 thoughts on “Answers to rhuobhe’s question”

  1. Hey, I wasn’t expecting such an in depth answer, that was fantastic. And it perfectly answered my question, gonna try out the peak detection mode (I think Reacomp has it) and also the limiting in Density. Thanks a lot for your time.

  2. Wow ! That was awesome, I’ll come with my questions too then !!
    The first that comes to my mind is the following: Does some DAW sound better than others ?? I see plenty of threads on the subject, but most people talk without knowing anything about. Do you think you come up with an answer to that ?

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