Share Your Distressor Settings!!!

[Sirocco]

Here is mine:

"Foul Ass 808"

DAW Input Gain: -3
DAW Output Gain: +6

Ratio: NUKE
Detect: HP+LINK
Audio: HP+Dist 3
Input: 04
Attack: 6.5
Brit: ON
Release: 10.5
Output: 10

This is for hip hop and urban music. What about you?!?

[bgrotto]

Most kick sounds that I use the Distressor for use the high-pass on the sidechain, and often Dist 3. The ratio depends very highly on the dynamics of the player, particularly when using low ratios, as 2:1 and 3:1 are both soft-knee and attack the program much differently.

As for specific values, that's tough as it depends highly on the program and the way I wanna shape it.

Bass often gets the 10:1 ratio (which has a nice, opto-like release that is fast for the first few dB of recovery, then tapers to a much slower release), but again, attack and release times vary with the player.

[Sirocco]

What settings (relative to the current sound ur using) do you find exhibits the most breathing, or tape sound?

[bgrotto]

Originally Posted by Sirocco

What settings (relative to the current sound ur using) do you find exhibits the most breathing, or tape sound?

Breathing and tape sound are, for me at least, two different things. Tape compression essentially has an attack and release time of 0 and a soft knee. Breathing (which I guess I read as "pumping") requires a harder knee and *some* release to cause the sucking sound. I guess using 2:1 or 3:1 (both soft-knee curves) on the Distressor with very quick attack and release times, with VERY little gain reduction would simulate tape to some degree. But - and I don't mean to be a snot when I say this - when I want "tape sound", I use tape. The funny thing about the "tape sound" that everyone is (or thinks they are) after isn't always about compression. In fact, most of the old school analog-heads I know and learned from actually DON'T hit tape very hard; certainly not hard enough to cause much audible compression (especially with drums, which I know is your specialty, Sirocco). I mean, you REALLY hafta slam GP9 pretty hard to hear it compressing; there's a lot of head room. Most engineers prefer to preserve most of the transient, meaning the VU meters are showing 0dB *AT MOST* peaks, more often the peaks are at -3 to -6 or so. Depending on the ballistics of the meter, the transients are hitting between +3 and +10, meaning only the loudest transients are being compressed by the tape to any measurable degree. That's not to say the tape sound isn't audible, I just think it's more of a coloration than a compression in most cases.

To that end, you could also try using the Dist settings, with a ratio of 1:1, and experiment with driving the Distressor to varying degrees. That can yield very pleasing coloration with no gain reduction, which may be closest to the tape sound you're looking for.

[Sirocco]

I agree completely. I do several passes of high input/low output and it works wonders. noise it not a problem if you have waves z-noise. flowing the signal through a manley slam! (which im renting) is just breathtaking.

[filterayok]

I never understand these 'what settings do you use' threads... i mean doesnt it depend on the sound???

[terrytee]

While we on the subject of Empirical Labs does anyone on whats happened to there website? it seems to have shut down..............

The only distressor i own is a emulation on my LM DSP, i have always intended to purchase a pair a some point but maybe the lack of internet presence means they are no longer trading???? so the new stocks will most likey run out over the next year or so???

Anyone know is Empirical are still trading?

[Sirocco]

Originally Posted by terrytee

While we on the subject of Empirical Labs does anyone on whats happened to there website? it seems to have shut down..............

The only distressor i own is a emulation on my LM DSP, i have always intended to purchase a pair a some point but maybe the lack of internet presence means they are no longer trading???? so the new stocks will most likey run out over the next year or so???

Anyone know is Empirical are still trading?

they are still alive and kicking - forgetting to renew domains are common - it even happened to microsoft!!

[nukmusic]

more NUKE on every song.

[Sirocco]

Originally Posted by filterayok

I never understand these 'what settings do you use' threads... i mean doesnt it depend on the sound???

sure but it can be good to share tips and tricks on how to 'milk' the unit for the most colorization etc

[terrytee]

Originally Posted by Sirocco

forgetting to renew domains are common - it even happened to microsoft!!

WORD!

Thx Sirocco

[Dopamine]

why do u have that movie w/ JZ?

[Sirocco]

Originally Posted by Dopamine

why do u have that movie w/ JZ?

i laugh everytime i see it..

[Kip]

Originally Posted by Sirocco

Here is mine:

"Foul Ass 808"

DAW Input Gain: -3
DAW Output Gain: +6

Ratio: NUKE
Detect: HP+LINK
Audio: HP+Dist 3
Input: 04
Attack: 6.5
Brit: ON
Release: 10.5
Output: 10

This is for hip hop and urban music. What about you?!?

Hi Sirocco,

Always looking out for your threads

When you mention

DAW Input Gain: -3 , meaning it hits the DAW with a peak of -3 i suppose? What do you mean by DAW output gain?

When i leave the output of my distressor at 10 it just clips, isnt it too loud?

My chain currently, MPC > 512C > distressor > Fireface.

[terrytee]

Originally Posted by Dopamine

why do u have that movie w/ JZ?

Answer = Purely for the novelty factor.

BTW, Am starting to wish i had a dollar for every time someone asks that question

[Autotune Prophet]

(The following post is completly irrelevant)

Does everybody know the story behind this "Jay-z movie/gif"?



It really starts to drive me nuts: all of a sudden everybody had it in its signature but nobody can tell where it comes from!

I - somehow - dig the oversized glasses and the coat. But...

A- Why is he bobbin his head like that while the white guy who looks a little bit like Dave Pensado tries to follow the rythm but still is off-beat ?
B- Was the movie shot in the VIP part of an open-air concert ?
C- What is Jay-z looking at when he turns his head? Snipers (lol) ?

Somebody please shead some light on this so that we don't have to bring the subject up each and every time

[nukmusic]

"Coldplay"

[soundsubs]

dont know who the white girl is but the white guy is ricky gervais, original creator of "the office". he doesnt have to be on beat, he's rich now.

[terrytee]

Originally Posted by nukmusic

"Coldplay"

Very true, thats what happens to a rapper at a coldplay concert...... yes thats right you start wearing glass's like Kayne west.

[Lehkz]

Originally Posted by soundsubs

dont know who the white girl is but the white guy is ricky gervais, original creator of "the office". he doesnt have to be on beat, he's rich now.

Oh shit. Ricky Gervais... the guy in GTA IV..

[terrytee]

Originally Posted by Lehkz

Oh shit. Ricky Gervais... the guy in GTA IV..

The creators of GTA are a UK programing group from leeds & Ricky Gervais is the star of the office a short lived UK TV series.....He plays a complete twat Check out the dance.....Flashdance / mc hammer shit. Kind of a legend over here.




BTW i think am gonna have to remove the Jay Gif soon as it seems to be side-trackiing all the serious issues

[Dor]

Originally Posted by terrytee

Answer = Purely for the novelty factor.

BTW, Am starting to wish i had a dollar for every time someone asks that question

I'll give you a dollar if you remove it from your signature.

D

[terrytee]

Originally Posted by Dor

I'll give you a dollar if you remove it from your signature.

D

OH dear i have just realized that the dollar isn't worth shit anymore, Plus you have just encouraged me to keep it as my signature for another week.

[Dopamine]

BUMP. da bump...

I finally ordered a Distressor!!!

Anyone care to share some starting point setting for recording rappers?

[Drlove]

It DOES always depend on the signal/material BUT good starting places are:

Everything in the middle: In=5 Attack=5 Release=5 Out=5

Or the 1176 emulation: Attack=Min Release=Max

Use your ears and have fun!

[bgrotto]

Originally Posted by Dopamine

BUMP. da bump...

I finally ordered a Distressor!!!

Anyone care to share some starting point setting for recording rappers?

Twist the knobs till it sounds good.

Kidding. Sorta.

Depends on the rapper's flow, the tempo of the song, and a dozen other variables. Usually when I'm teaching interns or assistants to track rap vocals, I use the Distressor, so here's some points I go over with them:
- don't overdo it; err on the side of undercompression
- faster flows and/or faster tempos typically require faster release times, otherwise you may end up losing a syllable or five following a loud peak
- set the compressor differently for each rapper, on each song; there's no one-size-fits-all setting
- if the rapper is spitty or really punches certain syllables (like that one dude from Slum Village), higher ratios work well
- if the rapper is smooth (like, um...remember that dude Mase? hee hee), lower ratios are good
- lower ratios (2:1, 3:1) on the Distressor are soft-knee curves
- LISTEN closely when setting the attack time; you don't wanna suck the life out of vocal
- if you give a shit about the performer/performance, stop them if they punch a syllable too hard or move in too close or get way off axis and cause some weird pumping or other change in level. It'll take 30 seconds to punch the line in, and it'll save you a headache. Plus then the emcee will trust you, which is huge
- last: READ THE ****ING MANUAL!!! This is huge, especially with the Distressor. That manual is one of the best dissertations on compression ever, period. Plus, the Distressor has a lot of interesting and somewhat hidden features. For example, different ratios have different gain reduction, attack, and release envelopes. Knowing that shit comes in handy.

Good luck, and congrats on the buy!

[irthwirm]

Originally Posted by Autotune Prophet

The moment i saw this on GS i threw it on myspace avatar. sh|ts wacky.... look it jayz face.. so worried...lol and the white dude.... even mo funny

but changed it a lil ehe

[Autotune Prophet]

Originally Posted by bgrotto

Twist the knobs till it sounds good.

Kidding. Sorta.

Depends on the rapper's flow, the tempo of the song, and a dozen other variables. Usually when I'm teaching interns or assistants to track rap vocals, I use the Distressor, so here's some points I go over with them:
- don't overdo it; err on the side of undercompression
- faster flows and/or faster tempos typically require faster release times, otherwise you may end up losing a syllable or five following a loud peak
- set the compressor differently for each rapper, on each song; there's no one-size-fits-all setting
- if the rapper is spitty or really punches certain syllables (like that one dude from Slum Village), higher ratios work well
- if the rapper is smooth (like, um...remember that dude Mase? hee hee), lower ratios are good
- lower ratios (2:1, 3:1) on the Distressor are soft-knee curves
- LISTEN closely when setting the attack time; you don't wanna suck the life out of vocal
- if you give a shit about the performer/performance, stop them if they punch a syllable too hard or move in too close or get way off axis and cause some weird pumping or other change in level. It'll take 30 seconds to punch the line in, and it'll save you a headache. Plus then the emcee will trust you, which is huge
- last: READ THE ****ING MANUAL!!! This is huge, especially with the Distressor. That manual is one of the best dissertations on compression ever, period. Plus, the Distressor has a lot of interesting and somewhat hidden features. For example, different ratios have different gain reduction, attack, and release envelopes. Knowing that shit comes in handy.

Good luck, and congrats on the buy!

I'm taking notes, although I don't own a distressor! Each tool is unique, but concepts (guidelines) are universal.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by irthwirm

Genius.

I really really like that idea... so much - in fact - that I might just steal it... na jk :)

[Autotune Prophet]

By the way: here's a thread some of you lucky owners of a distressor unit might find very interesting:

Dedicated DISTRESSOR settings thread... Share your tried and proven settings!!!

(distressor settings, july 2007)