Using transient designer - controlling peaks

[Junior Carl]

Hi guys....

I am a fan of using transient designers to make my drums hit a bit harder ( when its needed). I like to use them on snares etc and that makes the track peak a lot higher then when the plugin is bypassed ( sonnox transmod for instance ).

This is a problem of course when I need to limit my 2bus for more volume. The snare gets squashed and all the punch is gone. The limiter picks up on the snares and barely touches the rest of the signal

So.... Is there any tricks I should be aware of to keep the snares attack and punch, while still controlling the peaks?

Thanks
Aksel

[atma]

Saturation is how i do it. i actually use a transient shaper to exaggerate transients of a signal (usually drums) which is then fed into a solid state type saturation plugin (Variety of Sound's free TesslaSE is my favorite by far).

What happens in this instance is that you get a thickening of the frequency content of the transients due to the harmonics generated by the saturation plug. when you drive the saturation with a transient shaper set to expand the transients, you concentrate the majority of that harmonic content in the transients themselves, leaving the rest of the quieter signal undistorted, if that makes sense.

So because of the added thickening due to harmonics on the peaks, you end up with a very punchy signal, even once it's compressed. Also keep in mind that the saturation will inherently compress the peaks back down, so you may not have to limit as hard as you're accustomed to, and it should be easier to attain both punch and overall loudness. hope that helps!

[Chrisc_o]

Put a limiter on your 2 bus while mixing. Or at least when your mix is close to being finished.

[Blast9]

Try 2 compressors in series on the snare channel - both low ratios

1st one with soft knee - low threshold so it starts compressing sooner (mess around with the threshold, obviously)

2nd one with hard knee high threshold for the peaks

[Junior Carl]

Chrisc o: Im already doing that as I stated. The snare gets squashed because it is peaking alot higher than the rest of the signal.

Saturation; interesting idea. Might try that.

Definitely try the compressor advice too, blast9.

Thank you, guys!

[Chrisc_o]

Originally Posted by Junior Carl

...This is a problem of course when I need to limit my 2bus for more volume. The snare gets squashed and all the punch is gone. The limiter picks up on the snares and barely touches the rest of the signal...

Originally Posted by Junior Carl

Chrisc o: Im already doing that as I stated. The snare gets squashed because it is peaking alot higher than the rest of the signal.

In your original post you make it sound like you tweak the TD, then limit. I'm suggesting limiting while tweaking the TD to find a suitable setting.