10.6

78Logic Pro Effects
Dynamics processors
Logic Pro Dynamics processors overview
Dynamics processors control the perceived loudness of your audio, add focus and punch
to tracks and projects, and optimize the sound for playback in different situations.
The dynamic range of an audio signal is the range between the softest and loudest
parts of the signal—technically, between the lowest and highest amplitudes. Dynamics
processors enable you to adjust the dynamic range of individual audio files, tracks,
or an overall project. This can be to increase the perceived loudness or to highlight the
most important sounds, while ensuring that softer sounds are not lost in the mix. Several
dynamics processors provide a Side Chain input. See Work in the plug-in window in
Logic Pro.
There are four types of dynamics processors. These are each used for different audio
processing tasks. Logic Pro also includes the unique Logic Pro Enveloper, which
doesn’t fit any single category.
• Compressors: Downward compressors behave like an automatic volume control,
lowering the volume whenever it rises above a certain level, called the threshold.
By reducing the highest parts of the signal, called peaks, a compressor raises the
overall level of the signal, increasing the perceived volume. This gives the signal
more focus by making the louder (foreground) parts stand out, while keeping the
softer background parts from becoming inaudible. Compression also tends to make
sounds tighter or punchier because transients are emphasized, depending on attack
and release settings, and because the maximum volume is reached more swiftly.
In addition, compression can make a project sound better when played back in different
audio environments. For example, the speakers of a television or in a car typically have
a narrower dynamic range than the sound system in a cinema. Compressing the overall
mix can help make the sound fuller and clearer in lower-fidelity playback situations.
Compressors are typically used on vocal tracks to make the singing prominent in an
overall mix. They are also commonly used on music and sound effect tracks, but they
are rarely used on ambience tracks. See Logic Pro Compressor overview, Logic Pro
DeEsser 2, and Logic Pro Surround Compressor overview.
Some compressors—multiband compressors—can divide the incoming signal into
different frequency bands and apply different compression settings to each band.
This helps to achieve the maximum level without introducing compression artifacts.
Multiband compression is typically used on an overall mix. See Logic Pro Multipressor
overview.