Manual

18 MD3 NATIVE User Manual
6. Dynamics Processing In-Depth
After the Normalizer Gain, the signal is gently split into 3 overlapping bands -
the low, mid, and high frequencies. It will then compress each band somewhat
independently. Thereby, for example, a powerful kick-drum will not modulate
the processing of the lead vocals. After compressing/expanding, the 3 bands are
combined again.
6.1 Compressor
The very basis of compression can be reduced to "controlling the dynamic
content" of an audio signal. This basically means turning down the loudest parts
of the source material and raising the volume of the parts with low level content.
But how this is done, and how this is applied in audio production, is slightly more
elaborate.
Keep an eye on the illustration below and let us look at the basic compression
parameters:
Threshold
The Threshold parameter sets the limit where the compressor kicks-in/
releases its grip of the signal. As soon as the level is above the set threshold the
compressor is active. When below - it is not.
Ratio
The Ratio sets the amount of gain reduction applied when the signal exceeds the
threshold. In the illustration above, the Ratio is the steepness of the curve after
the compressor threshold.
Attack
The Attack time is the time it takes for the compressor to reach the compression
amount specied by the set ratio.
Release
The Release time is the time it takes for the compressor to release the signal
after the input signal is below the threshold point again. How each of these
parameters are set is very important, and only the correct combination gives the
desired result.
Examples of Compressor Threshold, Ratio, Curve, and
Factor
Let us look into setting the Threshold and Ratio. In many cases, you would use a
low threshold, in combination with a small ratio and vice-versa. Let us choose a
low threshold of -23 dB and a small compression ratio of 2.5:1.
We have now set the compressor – but with identical settings for all three
bands. With identical settings, we are not taking full advantage of the multiband
capabilities.
This is where the individual band controls come in. Click on the Threshold control
and the Focus Fields will change to show the threshold values for Low, Mid, and
High, and All. The controls allow you to create dierent settings for each of the
three bands. Click the control again to return to the Assigned Focus Fields.
Examples of Attack, Release and Crossover frequencies
Let us look into how to set the Attack and Release Times.
We start with small values for both parameters. If the attack time is too short,
we may remove some nice transients or “kick” from the material. This may not
be what we want, so we could try a greater value instead. Heavy peaks can be
smoothed using the limiter section.
If the release-time is too fast, it may result in a “pumping” eect, because the
compressor returns to the uncompressed signal immediately whenever the signal
falls below the compressor’s threshold setting. If so, we could increase the value
of the release time until we are satised with the result.
You could start with an Attack time of 1ms and a Release time of 0.2 s.
If you do not get the desired result, you could also try some dierent crossover
frequencies. Keep in mind that you have three independent bands – why should
a bass drum signal aect the mid and high bands when its peak is in the low end?
You could start out by using 125 Hz and 2.5 kHz if applied on drums, or 315 Hz and
3.15 kHz if applied on a full range mix.
Note: Sometimes it is easier to adjust the Attack and Release times and the
Crossover frequencies by using extreme values for Threshold and Ratio during
setup. This will make the eect of your settings much easier to hear.