selective compression

[Discopete]

Just had a thought..is it possible to add compression to 'parts' of the FR during recording/mixing? Highly compressed recording has the effect of better detail in certain parts of the spectrum, namely bass. TIA

[rayma]

Originally Posted by Discopete

is it possible to add compression to 'parts' of the FR during recording/mixing?

Yes, Dolby B did this as part of their system.

[Discopete]

Originally Posted by rayma

Yes, Dolby B did this as part of their system.

Wow! I'm 62 born yesterday. I was never interested in eq because of the added potentially audible distortion.

[conanski]

Originally Posted by Discopete

I was never interested in eq because of the added potentially audible distortion.

Where did you get that idea? EQ of any kind adds some phase shift but that is not audible normally.

[Max Headroom]

Originally Posted by Discopete

Just had a thought..is it possible to add compression to 'parts' of the FR during recording/mixing? Highly compressed recording has the effect of better detail in certain parts of the spectrum, namely bass. TIA

Standard analog equipment since long ago, standard in DAW nowadays...multiband compressor



Dan.

[chris661]

Originally Posted by Max Headroom

Standard analog equipment since long ago, standard in DAW nowadays...multiband compressor



Dan.

+1.

Multiband comp is what you're after.

Chris

PS - The top-end touring desks (and probably most DAWs) often have linear-phase EQ built-in.
EQ inherently is a form of distortion - you're taking a signal, and changing it in some way. That doesn't mean it's a bad thing - I'd bet over 99% of all records released have some EQ applied.

[turk 182]

most good comp's have "side chain" jacks for that very purpose why not use it?

[chris661]

Originally Posted by turk 182

most good comp's have "side chain" jacks for that very purpose why not use it?

That's not quite the same thing.

A side-chain means you can use a different signal to compress the audio running through the compressor.

For instance, if you wanted automated voiceover for music, feed a vocal mic into the sidechain, music through the compressor, and the music will dip according to the feed from the mic.

Chris

[turk 182]

ducking isn't the only way to use the "side chain", inserting an Eq allows you to select which frequencies will be "pre" compressed by boosting them on the Eq.

sort of a more flexible"de-esser" without being limited to high frequencies.

[chris661]

Originally Posted by turk 182

ducking isn't the only way to use the "side chain", inserting an Eq allows you to select which frequencies will be "pre" compressed by boosting them on the Eq.

sort of a more flexible"de-esser" without being limited to high frequencies.

Not quite.

If you EQ the side-chain, all you're doing is pulling the volume of everything down, in response to specific frequencies.

Remember, a compressor is just a programmable finger on a fader.

Chris