Manual

14
2.3.6.3 Combined Approach
From the above discussion we can see that the digital compressor, with its sonically
transparent gain control process and very accurate level control, allows very effective
influence over a wide dynamic range of programme material, without incurring some of the
problems associated with analogue units. The range of control provided by the Oxford
Compressor allows the construction of many possible combinations and variations of the
above approaches, in order to achieve a superior result. The following graphs illustrate
suggested settings to achieve some interesting dynamic results from the plug-in, by using a
combination of the above approaches.
2.3.6.4 Suggested Settings
Maximum Loudness
This graph shows one method to
achieve maximum loudness and
presence for programme where
dynamic range is unwanted (ie.
pop music, spoken commentary
etc.). The intention is to get the
prominent parts of the
programme as loud as possible
without incurring too many
compression artefacts that would
require long time constants to fix. The gain is set to maximum (+24dBr), the ratio is set to
1000:1 (limiting) and soft ratio is selected at 15dB. The threshold is then reduced (to around
–25dBr) until the maximum level is achieved. The idea is to compress the programme
material to ever-greater degrees as it gets louder, until it is fully limited at maximum output.
The selection of the 15dB soft ratio curve is a compromise between unwanted compression
artefacts, available gain and total loudness.
It should be noted that, as the top 10dB of programme has virtually no dynamic information
at all, this sort of approach is likely to gain favour within the current popular music idiom. It
can also be very useful in situations where fast and smooth action is required on a vocal, with
minimal distortion.