the stranger Posted June 6, 2001 Share Posted June 6, 2001 I'm finding that the various work I do in Sound Forge is actually very helpful from a learning standpoint. Being able to see the wav file and what changes happen to it helps a person to understand the various things that happen when adding dynamics, effects, etc. I'm one of the people who is still learning the various aspects of compression/limiting, etc. Now everytime I do any dynamics processing, I look what I'm processing in the spectrum analysis before I apply any. You can see exactly which frequencies are peaking over a given threshold. This is great for using the multiband compressor functions. Now this doesn't do me much good when I'm using my hardware compressors when I'm in my room, but the more I do it on the computer, the more I understand what is going on. I know that using the sidechain in a compressor (hardware) can be used to de-ess; is this essentially frequency dependant processing? Could one also use the sidechain with an eq to clamp down on low frequency peaks? (I'm assuming so) When I bring a wav file into my computer, I always notice (after peak normalization) that I seem to mix things that end up having peaks that are 6db (on average, sometimes more) more than the RMS levels. Low frequencies are usually the culprit. Of course, all this is a concern, due to wanting to get the percieved volume of a track up to par, without totally destroying the dynamic range. Also, I've learned a bit about the effects on levels after applying reverb, etc. The biggest of all has been to maintain good healthy levels all through the recording process. I have learned that all through the recording process, I have been losing volume. This is due to the fact that I'm still 4 tracking. My usual mode of operation is to fill up the 4 tracks, mix them down to my cd-burner, then bring that back into tracks 1 and 2 and then record on 3 and 4. I lose level on that first mix down, since I have to make sure not to clip the recorder. I used to mix those first 4 tracks down to tape, so I didn't really have that problem (since tape can be pounded into the red without digital clipping). I've later realized that I was not only mixing the first 4 tracks down, but was compressing the shit out out them. This of course, was easy, because the compression was like an automatic type (no knowledge involved) and was a nice even compression (no pumping or other nasty artifacts...imo http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif). Now, I'm using a real compressor when mixing to the burner and this requires a lot of trial and error, since I'n new to compressors. I'm still at the stage of using my ear. I tend to turn up pretty loud and listen for the pumping and distortion. The meters are helpful the more I get familiar with them. Anyway, doing compression and such in the computer realm has helped me when working in the hardware realm. Damn, what a windy post. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif This message has been edited by dr destructo on 06-06-2001 at 01:50 PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderton Posted June 6, 2001 Share Posted June 6, 2001 You're also getting valuable ear training that will help you even with hardware units. >>I know that using the sidechain in a compressor (hardware) can be used to de-ess; is this essentially frequency dependant processing?<< Yes. Basically, you have a high-pass filter inserted in the sidechain. This causes the compressor to compress the frequencies emphasized by the high pass filter. If it doesn't see low frequencies, it won't compress them. <> Yes. But try to find what's causing the problem, and correct it with EQ before you start messing around with the dynamic range. Craig Anderton Educational site: http://www.craiganderton.org Music: http://www.youtube.com/thecraiganderton Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/craig_anderton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the stranger Posted June 6, 2001 Author Share Posted June 6, 2001 Yes. But try to find what's causing the problem, and correct it with EQ before you start messing around with the dynamic range. So the better solution would be to zero in on the frequency that is causing the peaks and bring the level down using eq, rather than compression? One of the areas I'm having trouble with is the bass drum. I like to get it thumping when I mix and it is usually the culprit. I have been cutting back lately, after seeing what kind of peaks I've been having mixing that way. What about this scenario? Say I have a file that is around -6db RMS, but I have peaks around -1db. I have determined that this is the bass drum (and some various low end guitar attacks-etc, but mainly the bass drum). If I'm happy with the thump of the bass drum, would it be better to compress the peaks with a threshold of like -3db? Is it a no win situation? If I like the way the bass drum sounds, but it is going to keep the RMS down, do I have to either cut back on the EQ or just live with the difference between peak and RMS? Speaking of which... For your usual garden variety rock and roll (I know this varies by type of music), what would be a normal amount of db between RMS and peak levels? I also have noticed that I can hear compression even at it's lower levels and I'm not to fond of what it does to sound. I just can't be giving people CD's that are so quiet. I myself don't really mind if I have to turn things up, but a good example would be if you listen to a CD of mine (pre-pseudo mastering) in the car stereo, when it's over and it switches over to the radio hearing loss is imminent. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif This message has been edited by dr destructo on 06-06-2001 at 02:13 PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Submersible Posted June 6, 2001 Share Posted June 6, 2001 Out of curiosity, why the intermediate CD burning step? If you're just going to fly a stereo mix back to two tracks of your cassette four track, why not do it directly from Sound Forge via your sound card? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the stranger Posted June 7, 2001 Author Share Posted June 7, 2001 The original mix of the first four tracks never sees Sound Forge. My computer isn't in my studio. I'm using a stand alone burner in there. I took my computer out of the studio after I killed my hard drive. I had a hard drive failure that I know was due to a practice session that was generating way too much vibration. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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