Compressor Output Changes
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Posted on Jul 23, 2007 08:35 pm
peterparker
The Beat Keeper
Member Since: Dec 16, 2004
After compressing a snare drum for instance, the output wont stay consistent with the input. A majority of hits stay even with the input level. On other hits the output will either be below or highter in volume than the input level. Any idea on what im doing incorrectly?
Thanks folks.
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Jul 23, 2007 08:44 pm compressors naturally create a difference in level between what's gooin' in and what's comming out....picture this
first you have your dry signal that gets a bit too loud from time to time...
when compressing you're gonna make the louder parts a bit more quiet...so now you have with a signal that's actually quieter that the original comming out of the compressor....
the 'make up gain' or 'output knob' is a small amplifier that you can turn it up (or down) to what ever level you want....this can often be different things depending EXACTLY what you're compressor's output jack is connected to.
some pieces of gear prefer hotter signals than other when coming in.
Jul 23, 2007 09:12 pm Gotcha on changing the level of the input and output signal. The thing is after I adjust the make up gain is what im wondering about. This is what my meters look like for example:
One snare hit would be
Input: ---------------
Out: ---------------
Another would be
Input: ---------------
Out: -----------------
And another
Input: ---------------
Out: -------------
Jul 23, 2007 09:15 pm that's cuz you're not hitting the snare like a drum machine....good drummers can add accents by doing this..
if consistancy is what you're after set it so the output is almost the same every time (higher ratio = the same output no matter how hard you hit it)
Jul 23, 2007 09:16 pm there's a 'your mom' joke in there somewhere!
Jul 23, 2007 09:27 pm lol that there is. And the thing is i am using a drum machine lol. Im really just lookin for the drums to get more punch and was just thrown off by the different levels. If its cool for the difference in levels then im not tripping. Appreciate it man.
Jul 23, 2007 09:30 pm is your drum machine have a velocity feature? like if you hit it harder, it plays back louder....when programming beats you can set it to specific values....
Jul 23, 2007 09:34 pm Yeah, I try to switch it up so it doesnt sound so rigid. Also add some resonance and a lil bit of pitch change for the harder hits.
Jul 23, 2007 09:37 pm don't do random numbers that are all slightly off...
ya gotta think like a drummer, and drummers don't hit their drums at random velocity's, if they did, it would sound awful but look funny.
Jul 23, 2007 09:42 pm so keep em at at the same velocity for the most part? Most of the time I have the drums change by maybe 14 digits.
Jul 23, 2007 09:52 pm WYD, what? changing velocities adds loads of life to a rigid, sterile drum machine track...not massive velocity changes, but some...sometimes they do hit randomly, not intentionally, but on a triplet roll all three are not the same...for example.
Change 'em up...
Jul 23, 2007 09:54 pm i've got 'favorite' velocities that i go to.... 25-60 is mostly 'ghost notes' to 'soft hits' they're good for finessing the groove and on the ends of rolls...60-100 is my 'standard hit' i try to keep the main beats in this area and use everything higher for 'accents' or harder hits.
now all drum samples are not created equally, so these are general numbers...use your ears first (try setting your compressor with headphones on)....but get your velocity's down before you try compressing....get it sounding good before you compress.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jul 23, 2007 10:27 pm Accents definitely do add life to a drum track, but I think that his point is that (experienced) drummers don't randomly accent notes. There is a system to their accents. They all feed into the feel of the piece.
There is definitely a slight amount of randomness in it since we're all human, but it would be very slight for all but the most novice of drummers. Like myself for instance. Totally random :)
Jul 23, 2007 10:30 pm yaess! it's often referred to as 'tightness'.
