Help for my first mastering compressor - Page 2

lowland · 8th October 2009

I've said it before etc., but I think compression at the mastering stage is wildly overrated by many. If my GR meters are more than *just* moving, that would be an unusual day here - sometimes you do need more, but that can't be more than a few percent of tracks I work on.

Darius van H · 8th October 2009

Actually, i know exactly why - because many or most bands / artists don't know technically what's wrong with a mastering (like it being too compressed), so they can't explain to the ME what's wrong - they just don't get a good feeling from it.

The artist comes back with vague murmerings of discontent, the ME gets annoyed / frustrated, the atmosphere darkens etc.

csl · 8th October 2009

Ah yes, could be. If so, that really is a shame (not to mention expensive for the artist).

ONDRAY · 8th October 2009

so what I'm gathering from this thread so far is to go for either a pair fo Trakkers or an STC-8.

I'd like to through a Manley Vari-My into the mix. since there's been no mention yet, too many options will get your brain steaming.. pick 3 and try them out.

Alécio Costa · 8th October 2009

too much limiting!
Insane RMS...

1 or 2dBs of OCL2 gain reduction is more than enough to me.

emrr · 31st October 2009

Update on the Pico compressor situation, now Foote Control Systems, a stereo rackmount unit with expanded options. This thing can do a lot, and it's really really hard to make it screw up.

Foote Control Systems P3S Stereo Compressor

Adam Dempsey · 31st October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by emrr

Update on the Pico compressor situation, now Foote Control Systems, a stereo rackmount unit with expanded options. This thing can do a lot, and it's really really hard to make it screw up.

"The meter is switchable between 10dB full scale and 20dB full scale." - I find this dB reference confusing, or did the specs screw up?

emrr · 31st October 2009

The gain reduction resolution is switchable.

Adam Dempsey · 31st October 2009

Yes I understand. The error is "dB fullscale".

RogerFoote · 18th November 2009

Adam

No error. The GR meter reads either 10dB or 20dB at full scale deflection of the meter. Scale referring the the "scale" of the meter.

This does not affect the compressor in any way, only the display of the gain reduction currently happening in the compression circuitry.

Roger Foote
FCS

8th October 2009	#31
lowland Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Essex UK Posts: 739 Verified Member	I've said it before etc., but I think compression at the mastering stage is wildly overrated by many. If my GR meters are more than just moving, that would be an unusual day here - sometimes you do need more, but that can't be more than a few percent of tracks I work on. __________________ Nigel Palmer Lowland Masters www.lowlandmasters.com

8th October 2009	#32
Darius van H Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 1,735 Verified Member	Actually, i know exactly why - because many or most bands / artists don't know technically what's wrong with a mastering (like it being too compressed), so they can't explain to the ME what's wrong - they just don't get a good feeling from it. The artist comes back with vague murmerings of discontent, the ME gets annoyed / frustrated, the atmosphere darkens etc. __________________ www.amsterdammastering.com

8th October 2009	#33
csl Gear addict Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England Posts: 420	Ah yes, could be. If so, that really is a shame (not to mention expensive for the artist). __________________ Chris Leary Mastering \| Music

8th October 2009	#34
ONDRAY Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 737	so what I'm gathering from this thread so far is to go for either a pair fo Trakkers or an STC-8. I'd like to through a Manley Vari-My into the mix. since there's been no mention yet, too many options will get your brain steaming.. pick 3 and try them out. __________________ ____________________________ Minus3Audio.com

8th October 2009	#35
Alécio Costa Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2002 Location: Brazil, Florianópolis/SC Posts: 1,734 Verified Member	too much limiting! Insane RMS... 1 or 2dBs of OCL2 gain reduction is more than enough to me. __________________ Alécio Costa Studio www.aleciocosta.com http://www.facebook.com/alecio.costa Artist career at: http://www.audiostreet.net/aleciocosta http://www.myspace.com/aleciocosta

31st October 2009	#36
emrr Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2006 Location: nc Posts: 1,001	Update on the Pico compressor situation, now Foote Control Systems, a stereo rackmount unit with expanded options. This thing can do a lot, and it's really really hard to make it screw up. Foote Control Systems P3S Stereo Compressor __________________ Best, Doug Williams ElectroMagnetic Radiation Recorders Tape Op issue 73

31st October 2009	#39
Adam Dempsey Mastering Engineer Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne - Australia's music capital. Posts: 1,722 Verified Member	Yes I understand. The error is "dB fullscale".

18th November 2009	#40
RogerFoote Gear addict Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 407	Adam No error. The GR meter reads either 10dB or 20dB at full scale deflection of the meter. Scale referring the the "scale" of the meter. This does not affect the compressor in any way, only the display of the gain reduction currently happening in the compression circuitry. Roger Foote FCS

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