signal chain (gate, compressor, amp....etc...)
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Posted on Jun 18, 2005 01:10 pm
wontdieinPA
Member Since: Apr 27, 2002
heres a couple different scenarios where id like to see how maybe some of you run your signal chain...
for instance, when im wanting a snappy, heart stopping kick drum track...i use the gate first, then the compressor...couldnt tell you why, ive tried it the other way and i just like this way better...
another thing im curious about and some of you might be as well...
i read some where,...in a magazine actually at Barnes and Noble, that alot of engineers will use a compressor on guitar tracks...BUT will run the guitar through the compressor THEN into the amp...
so it would go Guitar > Compressor > Amplifier > Microphone > Preamp > Tape
anyone have any feelings about any of this?
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Jun 18, 2005 01:31 pm as for the kick thing, i'd think it'd be better to put the gate after the compressor....so you gate the accual "compressed sound" comming out, which is what you hear....if you compress a gated sound, it'll BAH!!!....it won't be much different....heh
as for the guitar, it depends on the context of the material...i'd compress before amplifing when recording a solo or something were sustain is an issue...but NEVER on distorted rhythem tracks!!!!
Jun 19, 2005 06:53 pm hey wyd, if you put the comp. before the compressor, wouldnt there be less dynamic range to work with, therefore making it harder to get a good gate sound going?
If the comp. squashes the signal, especially with a high ratio, i dont think the gate would work at all........
BTW i like compressed distorted tracks :-), but hey im still learning.
Cheers C_S
MinkusMazBane of All ExistenceMember
Since: Mar 27, 2003
Jun 19, 2005 07:48 pm The initial gain/overdrive stage of an amp does its own "compression" when you get past clean, so I throw my compressor in the FX loop. I get the feel, sound, and dynamic control of the compression a lot more clearly and effectively that way.
Jun 19, 2005 07:56 pm Hey minkus, do you know if Tube 'sag' the same as mild compression?
Jun 19, 2005 07:57 pm i donno man! lol i get a headache just thinkin' about it....a gate would still work even if you had a completely squashed signal, you'd just to hafta set your threshold differently...
Jun 19, 2005 07:59 pm lol
yea, spose it'll still work, but i think the performance would be compromised and it'd be a lot harder to get the threshhold right as its also rasing the noise floor by compressing?
C_S
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jun 19, 2005 08:09 pm I think that tube sag refers to tube rectification and not tube distortion.
Jun 19, 2005 08:16 pm Cheers tad.
Whats 'tube rectification'?
Is tube distortion is the gradual build up of even harmonics being added to the signal?
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jun 19, 2005 08:32 pm A rectifier converts AC power from the wall socket into DC power that your amp can use. Some amps use tubes in their rectifier circuits, and some use transistors. Each has its own merits, although I really couldn't tell you what said merits are...
But by 'tube distortion' I just meant overdrive...like preamp distortion or power tube breakup.
Jun 19, 2005 09:35 pm yep hence mesa's 'dual rectifier'.....you can switch between solid state rectifaction, to tube.
Jun 19, 2005 09:39 pm Oh, i thought 'tube sag' was related to the characteristic's of the tube amp it self. eg. when you strike a chord softly it is a 'natural' volume, but when you strike a chord harder, the volume seems less than it should be. or something along the lines? or am i completely off the rails?
Cheers
C_S
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jun 20, 2005 10:18 am The only term I can think of to describe what you're talking about is the dynamic response of a tube amp. If you send a soft input signal (soft strumming or plucking), you get a nice slightly crunchy or clean response back. Then if you really strum or pick hard, you get a nice crunch or overdrive back...that's just good dynamics from your amp. I'm not sure what the technical term for that is, other than overdrive.
I guess it all has to do with the resulting voltage from your input signal...more voltage drives the tubes harder and causes them to clip, or overdrive. Less voltage doesn't, so you get a clean signal.
Jun 20, 2005 07:09 pm ah, that makes sense, cheers tad
