Dynamic Processors

Question 1

What is dynamic range?

Answer 1

difference between softest and loudest sounds a system can accommodate

Question 2

What are macrodynamics?

Answer 2

variation in level for events longer than a single note

Question 3

What are microdynamics?

Answer 3

level variations that happen within each note (dynamic envelope)

Question 4

What is unity gain?

Answer 4

for any given input level, we get the same output level (1:1)

Question 5

What is a transfer function?

Answer 5

input versus output difference

Question 6

What does a compressor do?

Answer 6

reduces level of signals above the threshold, making loud sounds quieter

Question 7

What does a limiter do?

Answer 7

ensures that no signal exceeds the threshold by reducing any signals above the threshold to the threshold level

Question 8

What does an upward compressor do?

Answer 8

boosts level of signals below the threshold, making quiet sounds louder

Question 9

What does an expander do?

Answer 9

reduces level of signals below the threshold, making quiet sounds quieter

Question 10

What does an upward expander do?

Answer 10

boosts level of signals above the threshold, making loud sounds louder

Question 11

What does a gate do?

Answer 11

attenuates all signals below threshold by fixed amount, known as range

Question 12

What does a ducker do?

Answer 12

attenuates all signals above threshold by fixed amount (range)

Question 13

What is pumping?

Answer 13

quick, noticeable variation in level

Question 14

What is breathing?

Answer 14

audible effect caused by varying noise/hiss levels

Question 15

What happens in a vari-mu compressor?

Answer 15

no ratio control; incremental amount of gain reduction is applied in relation to input levels; this only happens up to when the compressor returns to linearity

Question 16

What happens in an FET (field effect transistor) compressor?

Answer 16

considerably fast attack and release times, includes ratio feature; ratio returns to linearity with loud input signals

Question 17

What happens in an opto compressor?

Answer 17

side-chain controls brightness of bulb/LED, making it slow since the light has to take time to turn on

Question 18

What do VCA compressors provide?

Answer 18

most precise and controllable gain manipulation

Question 19

Which instrument might benefit from using RMS sensors?

Answer 19

vocals

Question 20

What is a variable threshold?

Answer 20

provides dedicated control with which threshold level is set

Question 21

What is a fixed threshold?

Answer 21

has input gain control; the more we boost the level the more it overshoots fixed threshold

Question 22

What does ratio do?

Answer 22

determines the extent to which overshooting signals are reduced toward the threshold

Question 23

What does attack do?

Answer 23

determines length of time device takes to reach some percentage of full gain reduction as it reaches the ratio

Question 24

What does release do?

Answer 24

determines length of time device takes to return to unity gain once it drops below the threshold

Question 25

What does hold do?

Answer 25

determines how long gain reduction is held before release phase starts

Question 26

What is makeup gain?

Answer 26

boosts level of output to make up for drop in perceived level of compressed signal

Question 27

What is knee?

Answer 27

threshold-determined point where ratio changes from unity gain to set ratio (knee of 6dB would be +/-3dB in relation to the threshold)

Question 28

What is a hard knee?

Answer 28

threshold sets strict limit between no treatment and treatment

Question 29

What is soft knee?

Answer 29

enables smoother transition between no treatment and treatment

Question 30

What does the gain reduction meter show?

Answer 30

amount of applied gain reduction by compressor

Question 31

What is the input meter useful for?

Answer 31

setting the threshold

Question 32

What is the output meter useful for?

Answer 32

determining rough makeup gain and making sure we don't clip

Question 33

What is the relationship between the threshold and ratio?

Answer 33

threshold determines the extent of the compressor, ratio defines degree

Question 34

What are the basic steps to setting a downward compressor?

Answer 34

1. ) determine threshold (start with high ratio, fast attack and release; slowly lower threshold until gain reduction meter only lights up during loudest times, no more than 6dB reduction) 2. ) determine ratio (drop ratio, slowly increase until it sounds controlled but not smashed) 3. ) determine attack and release (attack based on source, release based on tempo)

Question 35

How would you use serial compression on very dynamic sources?

Answer 35

1. ) set first threshold to get peaks and second threshold to gain ride 2. ) set first ratio fairly strong, set second ratio more gentle 3. ) set first attack and release fast, set second slower