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#1
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compressor threshold setting when recording into a computer
If I set my RNC compressor's threshold knob to 0db, and use the
fastest attack, fastest release and highest ratio of 25:1 (in regular mode), I notice that on my computer's soundcard meter (delta 44 set at +4dbu input sensitivity) the signal gets limited to approximately -12db.. This seems to indicate that if I bypass the compressor and set the preamp gain so that the signal to the point where it just misses clipping my soundcards input and then insert the compressor, the compressor will probably have an input signal level which is way higher than what it considers 0db... Will this degrade the compressors performance? Should I concentrate on providing a signal level to the compressor which is close to what the compressor considers 0db, and then set the compressor's output gain to a high value like +10 db or whatever gain it is needed for the soundcard to show a signal level closer to its own 0db mark? I wonder if the RNC supernice mode is dependant on signal level that it receives and if the compressor receives a signal much greater than what the compressor considers 0db the super nice algorithms would provide unexpected results... |
#2
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Daniel wrote:
If I set my RNC compressor's threshold knob to 0db, and use the fastest attack, fastest release and highest ratio of 25:1 (in regular mode), I notice that on my computer's soundcard meter (delta 44 set at +4dbu input sensitivity) the signal gets limited to approximately -12db.. This seems to indicate that if I bypass the compressor and set the preamp gain so that the signal to the point where it just misses clipping my soundcards input and then insert the compressor, the compressor will probably have an input signal level which is way higher than what it considers 0db... Makes sense. Will this degrade the compressors performance? Should I concentrate on providing a signal level to the compressor which is close to what the compressor considers 0db, and then set the compressor's output gain to a high value like +10 db or whatever gain it is needed for the soundcard to show a signal level closer to its own 0db mark? If it clips, it will degrade the performance. If it doesn't clip (and the RNC has reasonable headroom), it won't. I wonder if the RNC supernice mode is dependant on signal level that it receives and if the compressor receives a signal much greater than what the compressor considers 0db the super nice algorithms would provide unexpected results... No, the knee on the supernice mode is pretty smooth, there isn't an abrupt transition anywhere. In fact, the supernice mode has a smoother knee than the default mode. But you can still clip the input stage. The whole point of a slow, soft-knee gainriding compressor is that it makes it possible for you to be more sloppy about input levels. That's one of the main reasons it's used. --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |
#3
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Daniel wrote:
If I set my RNC compressor's threshold knob to 0db, and use the fastest attack, fastest release and highest ratio of 25:1 (in regular mode), I notice that on my computer's soundcard meter (delta 44 set at +4dbu input sensitivity) the signal gets limited to approximately -12db.. This seems to indicate that if I bypass the compressor and set the preamp gain so that the signal to the point where it just misses clipping my soundcards input and then insert the compressor, the compressor will probably have an input signal level which is way higher than what it considers 0db... Makes sense. Will this degrade the compressors performance? Should I concentrate on providing a signal level to the compressor which is close to what the compressor considers 0db, and then set the compressor's output gain to a high value like +10 db or whatever gain it is needed for the soundcard to show a signal level closer to its own 0db mark? If it clips, it will degrade the performance. If it doesn't clip (and the RNC has reasonable headroom), it won't. I wonder if the RNC supernice mode is dependant on signal level that it receives and if the compressor receives a signal much greater than what the compressor considers 0db the super nice algorithms would provide unexpected results... No, the knee on the supernice mode is pretty smooth, there isn't an abrupt transition anywhere. In fact, the supernice mode has a smoother knee than the default mode. But you can still clip the input stage. The whole point of a slow, soft-knee gainriding compressor is that it makes it possible for you to be more sloppy about input levels. That's one of the main reasons it's used. --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |
#4
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Daniel wrote:
If I set my RNC compressor's threshold knob to 0db, and use the fastest attack, fastest release and highest ratio of 25:1 (in regular mode), I notice that on my computer's soundcard meter (delta 44 set at +4dbu input sensitivity) the signal gets limited to approximately -12db.. This seems to indicate that if I bypass the compressor and set the preamp gain so that the signal to the point where it just misses clipping my soundcards input and then insert the compressor, the compressor will probably have an input signal level which is way higher than what it considers 0db... What you are discovering is that 0db on your sound card is different that 0db on the RNC. This would be typical with any piece of gear that uses VU style metering. 0db on digital gear is the maximum signal that can be recorded before distortion. 0db on an analog piece of gear refers to the Nominal level, not the maximum level. What your findings tell me is that your Delta card provides you with 12db of headroom above +4dBu. -- Eric Practice Your Mixing Skills Multi-Track Masters on CD-ROM www.Raw-Tracks.com |
#5
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Daniel wrote:
If I set my RNC compressor's threshold knob to 0db, and use the fastest attack, fastest release and highest ratio of 25:1 (in regular mode), I notice that on my computer's soundcard meter (delta 44 set at +4dbu input sensitivity) the signal gets limited to approximately -12db.. This seems to indicate that if I bypass the compressor and set the preamp gain so that the signal to the point where it just misses clipping my soundcards input and then insert the compressor, the compressor will probably have an input signal level which is way higher than what it considers 0db... What you are discovering is that 0db on your sound card is different that 0db on the RNC. This would be typical with any piece of gear that uses VU style metering. 0db on digital gear is the maximum signal that can be recorded before distortion. 0db on an analog piece of gear refers to the Nominal level, not the maximum level. What your findings tell me is that your Delta card provides you with 12db of headroom above +4dBu. -- Eric Practice Your Mixing Skills Multi-Track Masters on CD-ROM www.Raw-Tracks.com |
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