Dynamic Processors

Question 1

Compressors:

Answer 1

Decrease the volume level (amplitude) of a signal above a controllable threshold level.

Question 2

Noise Gates:

Answer 2

Decrease the volume level (amplitude) of a signal when it drops below a controllable threshold level.

Question 3

Limiters

Answer 3

A compressor with a greater ratio. Unlike compressors, which are best used for obtaining a more consistent level by reducing louder parts of the recording without squashing the peaks, limiters are best used for reducing peaks or spikes in the recording without affecting anything else

Question 4

Expanders:

Answer 4

: Expanders increase the difference in loudness between quieter and louder sections of audio making quiet sounds quieter and loud sounds louder. They are pretty much the opposite of compressors working by turning down the volume when the signal level falls below the threshold and turning the volume back up when the signal level goes above the threshold.

Question 5

De-essers:

Answer 5

A de-esser is a compressor that only reduces the loudness of a selected frequency band.

Question 6

Pumping

Answer 6

Side-chaining compression, normally from an audio source such as a kick drum, can cause a pumping effect on a given track. This is a common technique in EDM.

Question 7

parameters of a compressor

Answer 7

Threshold: how loud the signal has to be before compression is applied.

Ratio: how much compression is applied. For example, if the compression ratio is set for 6:1, the input signal will have to cross the threshold by 6 dB for the output level to increase by 1dB.

Make-up gain: allows you to boost the compressed signal. as compression often attenuates the signal significantly.

Attack: how quickly the compressor starts to work.

Release: how soon after the signal dips below the threshold the compressor stops.

Knee: Sets how the compressor reacts to signals once the threshold is passed. Hard Knee settings mean it clamps the signal straight away, and Soft Knee means the compression kicks in more gently as the signal goes further past the threshold.

Output - allows you to boost or attenuate the level of the signal output from the compressor.