compressors...same gain reduction at different ratios?
compressors...same gain reduction at different ratios?
i was wondering if someone could explain to me the difference between reducing 6 db at a 2:1 ratio and 6db at a 10:1 ratio, with the same attack/release times. i can hear a bit of difference but cant put my finger on what it is. can anyone give me a bit of information on the differences/what to listen for?
-
- re-cappin' neve
- Posts: 602
- Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:45 pm
- Location: Sunny Tucson
Re: compressors...same gain reduction at different ratios?
To get 6 dB gain reduction at a 2:1 ratio means your input has to be 3 dB above threshold.out of tune wrote:i was wondering if someone could explain to me the difference between reducing 6 db at a 2:1 ratio and 6db at a 10:1 ratio, with the same attack/release times. i can hear a bit of difference but cant put my finger on what it is. can anyone give me a bit of information on the differences/what to listen for?
To get that same gain reduction at 10:1, your input needs to be a bare fraction of a dB above threshold.
-a
"On the internet, nobody can hear you mix a band."
- Velcrocore
- ass engineer
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2003 12:21 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
- Contact:
re-reading my post...i wasnt quite clear enough.
i am curious about the sonic differences between 6db of gain reduction at a 2:1 ratio and 6db of gain reduction at 10:1 ratio....regardless of attack, release, or threshold settings...just doing whatever would get the meter to say 6db of GR.
if i wanted to reduce the dynamic range about 6db, why would i choose 2:1 over 10:1. i know its a taste thing for the most part, just looking to hear opinions of more experienced ears.
i am curious about the sonic differences between 6db of gain reduction at a 2:1 ratio and 6db of gain reduction at 10:1 ratio....regardless of attack, release, or threshold settings...just doing whatever would get the meter to say 6db of GR.
if i wanted to reduce the dynamic range about 6db, why would i choose 2:1 over 10:1. i know its a taste thing for the most part, just looking to hear opinions of more experienced ears.
Re: compressors...same gain reduction at different ratios?
yeah, that's not right at all. gain reduction of 6db at 2:1 means the input level exceeded the threshold by 12db. compressor reduced this by 6, allowing a change in the output volume of 6db.Andy Peters wrote:To get 6 dB gain reduction at a 2:1 ratio means your input has to be 3 dB above threshold.out of tune wrote:i was wondering if someone could explain to me the difference between reducing 6 db at a 2:1 ratio and 6db at a 10:1 ratio, with the same attack/release times. i can hear a bit of difference but cant put my finger on what it is. can anyone give me a bit of information on the differences/what to listen for?
To get that same gain reduction at 10:1, your input needs to be a bare fraction of a dB above threshold.
-a
at 10:1, it means the input exceeded the threshold by 6.6db, compressor squashed it back 6db, allowing output to change by 0.6db.
don't know if that helps explain how it sounds different, but it at least fixes the math.
-
- re-cappin' neve
- Posts: 602
- Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:45 pm
- Location: Sunny Tucson
Re: compressors...same gain reduction at different ratios?
You're completely correct. Brain fart. Sorry 'bout that.ashcat_lt wrote:yeah, that's not right at all. gain reduction of 6db at 2:1 means the input level exceeded the threshold by 12db. compressor reduced this by 6, allowing a change in the output volume of 6db.Andy Peters wrote:To get 6 dB gain reduction at a 2:1 ratio means your input has to be 3 dB above threshold.out of tune wrote:i was wondering if someone could explain to me the difference between reducing 6 db at a 2:1 ratio and 6db at a 10:1 ratio, with the same attack/release times. i can hear a bit of difference but cant put my finger on what it is. can anyone give me a bit of information on the differences/what to listen for?
To get that same gain reduction at 10:1, your input needs to be a bare fraction of a dB above threshold.
-a
at 10:1, it means the input exceeded the threshold by 6.6db, compressor squashed it back 6db, allowing output to change by 0.6db.
don't know if that helps explain how it sounds different, but it at least fixes the math.
-a
"On the internet, nobody can hear you mix a band."
assuming the same input signal. set the compressor to 2:1 and set the threshold to where GR is peaking at 6db.
now change the ratio to 10:1. you'll find that you have to turn up the threshold to get that GR meter to again peak at 6db. you'll also likely find that the compressor spends less time actually reducing anything.
2:1 will be a fairly subtle reduction in the overall dynamic content of the source. 10:1 will be a much more drastic reduction of the peaks, but will leave more of the program material alone.
edit - i guess this also assumes a relatively dynamic source to begin with. If you're mixing square waves (or distorted guitars) you can get about the same result just through static attenuation (pull down the fader 6db).
now change the ratio to 10:1. you'll find that you have to turn up the threshold to get that GR meter to again peak at 6db. you'll also likely find that the compressor spends less time actually reducing anything.
2:1 will be a fairly subtle reduction in the overall dynamic content of the source. 10:1 will be a much more drastic reduction of the peaks, but will leave more of the program material alone.
edit - i guess this also assumes a relatively dynamic source to begin with. If you're mixing square waves (or distorted guitars) you can get about the same result just through static attenuation (pull down the fader 6db).
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 198 guests