attack and release times

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Member Since: May 20, 2009

hi guys,

I have been doing FOH sound at various venues for a couple of years now and have been learning as I go after a brief college course. I read a post about compressors and there was a response from rob stemple that interested me. Although I am familiar with the way in which compression works and have i good idea of when to use it in a live environment I always find myself shying away from the attack and release pots. mainly because I don't have time in a soundcheck to experiment and don't have a venue to call my own. in the post I read rob said that attack effects low end and release effects high end. I normally come across dbx gear and just push the auto button but I would appreciate some further discussion on attack and release and how they react to different sources (and maybe some recorded examples). thanks!

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http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


May 21, 2009 02:59 am

"Quote"
in the post I read rob said that attack effects low end and release effects high end.

yeah, where you set your attack and release, effects the punch or eq of the instrument.

for example if you set a "fast" attack and fast release on a kick drum, you'll get more beater noise,
but if you change the attack time to a bit slower it'll pick up more of the after effect of the beater, or more of the drum thud.

depending on how long you want that kick compressed for is up to you, which is the release time.

this will automaticaly change the eq because it it'll compress everything in that area.
your basicly compressing that area so you can turn it up. that will change everything. your can hear so much more of the the drum (in that area) than you normally would.
so you'll hear more of certain eq's.

i know you said you were fairly knowledgeable on compression, but this is just how understand it to be.
Maybe you can get something new out of it.

im not sure exactly how release time effects top end in this case, but im keen also, to find out.


Member
Since: May 20, 2009


May 21, 2009 06:03 pm

ok thanks deon. that helps, I also read an article in 'tips' which helped. does anyone else have any other tips? i know really i need to experiment when ever i get the chance, I am looking to get cubase and some plug-ins going on my PC which will help me practice, does anyone know of any practical online resources I can use to help me in the meantime?

If 50hz 60 will kill ya.
Member
Since: Jan 08, 2009


May 23, 2009 01:25 pm

yea, put them both at 12 oclock.

http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


May 24, 2009 10:08 am

the best way really is to get it set in your mind exactly what it is these controls do.

sounds silly, but thinking about it and what you wanna achieve with the attack and release times will make it alot easier for you.
If youre just turning knobs but not being exactly sure what its doing, then you'll never be happy with it.

listen to your track, work out what needs compressing on it and where, and tweak the attack and release till you get it where you want it.
eg: you might wanna compress the signal 4.5ms into it, so set the attack at that, but you might only want the compression to hold for 26ms so that's what you set the release at. this will give more a pumping effect as it goes on and off fairly quick.

another example might be, say on a kick drum, you want to bring out more of the beater click, and not too much of the natural drum thud that comes after the hit.
so you set the compressor with a really fast attack say 0.1ms so it instantly grabs the beater as its hitting the drum, and then a reasonably quick release so as not to hold for too long and pick up more of the natural drum sound that comes after.

or vice versa, more drum thud and less beater click, you set the attack a bit later so it grabs the drum after the beater hits, so you get bugger all beater and more drum.


If 50hz 60 will kill ya.
Member
Since: Jan 08, 2009


May 24, 2009 05:34 pm

yea, or just leave them at 12 o clock till you have time to play with it. when you have your mix going, then play with a channel. Channel eq always comes first. be happy with the sound of whatever BEFORE you compress. any changes in the strip eq will affect the compression, as will changes in the trim. Basics first. Smokin channel eq, then compression, gate or whatever.

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