peak vs rms compression

[BlueRadio]

I am using Cubase 4, and one of the stock plugs allows you to variably choose to blend RMS or peak compression.

ex: At the 7 o'clock position, the compression is pure peak. Turn clockwise to the 5 o'clock position, and it is RMS compression. And everywhere in between seems to be a compromise between both.

That being said, I have had great results on vocals and snare using the settings at 20% rms and 80% peak. Blending offers great versatility.

Is this featured on any hardware comps? Had anybody had luck with this technique, hardware or software? Thoughts?

[David@MVS]

Originally Posted by BlueRadio

I am using Cubase 4, and one of the stock plugs allows you to variably choose to blend RMS or peak compression.

ex: At the 7 o'clock position, the compression is pure peak. Turn clockwise to the 5 o'clock position, and it is RMS compression. And everywhere in between seems to be a compromise between both.

That being said, I have had great results on vocals and snare using the settings at 20% rms and 80% peak. Blending offers great versatility.

Is this featured on any hardware comps? Had anybody had luck with this technique, hardware or software? Thoughts?

Well a peak compressor is acting more like a limiter or leveling amp.

So you are effectively chaining two types of dynamics reduction devices which is not uncommon in the analogue world...though I dont know of any one unit that does both.

Fun isnt it....


Cheers,
David

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by BlueRadio

Is this featured on any hardware comps?

Why, yes it is: the beloved Alesis 3630

::::ducks::::

[firby]

Valley people dynamite does RMS or Peak. I can't think of one that does both simultaneously.

[BlueRadio]

Interesting. Yeah it's kind of a 'best of both worlds' kind of thing. Sometimes peak compression can sound hard and pumpy. Dialing in a little RMS smooths things out.