Compression?

[noahbickart]

a free "mastering" Compressor everyone here should own is this:

https://www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-kotelnikov/

[EmRR]

I'd be much more inclined to use volume automation over compression on most show recordings.  Combine with a limiter that is hardly/barely touched to set an absolute ceiling. 

[opsopcopolis]

I personally find automation to be significantly less natural than a well set comp/limiter for stuff like this. Just personal preference though.

[MakersMarc]

Tried it and didn't like the results. Ears told me that some subtlety was lost by compressing. I don't mind quiet/loud that's how the show was played and that's what I want to hear.

Well, "compressing" and "compressing well" aren't necessarily the same thing 

FU Simpson. 😀 but yeah I didn't exactly put a lot of effort into it.

[Sloan Simpson]

Tried it and didn't like the results. Ears told me that some subtlety was lost by compressing. I don't mind quiet/loud that's how the show was played and that's what I want to hear.

Well, "compressing" and "compressing well" aren't necessarily the same thing 

FU Simpson. 😀 but yeah I didn't exactly put a lot of effort into it.

Haha, no offense intended! It can take some trial and error.

[morst]

I personally find automation to be significantly less natural than a well set comp/limiter for stuff like this. Just personal preference though.

Micro or macro?


I do little bitty (well under one second most of the time) volume fixes with the envelope tool and it's brutal but effective.
I also do broad fixes with the envelope tool (Audacity is my main DAW software) and find it super useful.


I do my final limiting with an automated plugin, but I get things pretty tight and consistent before I do that.

[EmRR]

I personally find automation to be significantly less natural than a well set comp/limiter for stuff like this. Just personal preference though.

Hmmm, I might guess it's in how you use either one.  I'm used to automating volume down to the syllable level on vocal tracks before feeding them into a compressor.  Much much less on program material like a live show 2 track.  Limiter touching the errant peaks there.   There are devices that are AGC's (automatic gain control) which react more slowly than most compressors, and also crossover into expansion from compression, so the threshold is more of a center line.  I'm not aware of any software AGC's, but there must be some. 

[opsopcopolis]

I personally find automation to be significantly less natural than a well set comp/limiter for stuff like this. Just personal preference though.

Micro or macro?


I do little bitty (well under one second most of the time) volume fixes with the envelope tool and it's brutal but effective.
I also do broad fixes with the envelope tool (Audacity is my main DAW software) and find it super useful.


I do my final limiting with an automated plugin, but I get things pretty tight and consistent before I do that.

It's more context than micro vs macro. In multis, sure. I just don't like hearing the entire thing go up and down. I find a well set limiter to be way more transparent (I'm also kinda lazy)

[morst]

I find a well set limiter to be way more transparent (I'm also kinda lazy)

Lazy is such a harsh word - perhaps you mean that you are really into time management?


An overweight friend of mine says "If you wanna know the easiest way to do something, ask a fat guy!"

[opsopcopolis]

I find a well set limiter to be way more transparent (I'm also kinda lazy)

Lazy is such a harsh word - perhaps you mean that you are really into time management?


An overweight friend of mine says "If you wanna know the easiest way to do something, ask a fat guy!"

haha we could say that.