Dynamic range in preamps, any disadvantage?

AdamZuf · 30th September 2007, 08:33 PM

I often see people talking about how great the dynamic range is in some gear, let's say a preamp.

We all need and use compressors. It is necessary to tame the dynamic range in order to "make order" in there and prevent things from being percieved as upfront or make the speakers evident by putting the music in them (-:

The question is, doesn't having a very dynamic preamp enlargens the demand and use of compressing? Because I mostly try to avoid compressor artifacts.

(and no, I don't have killer outboard compressors so you understand why it's like that)

Thanks
Adam

AdamZuf · 2nd October 2007, 09:14 AM

anyone?

tarnationsauce · 2nd October 2007, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamZuf

The question is, doesn't having a very dynamic preamp enlargens the demand and use of compressing? Because I mostly try to avoid compressor artifacts.

NO, a wider dynamic range means you have a lower noise floor, and more headroom.
Meaning, you can compress it more without bringing up as much noise. And you have less chance of distorting a preamp if you have a large unexpected transient.

AdamZuf · 3rd October 2007, 04:39 PM

Thanks,
I do know this, I had to be more specific, sometimes I read people are saying "it's very dynamic", in regard that preamp A accentuate dynamics more then B.

joelpatterson · 3rd October 2007, 04:48 PM

Yes, you will (at least I think so) need to in the end bring the dynamic range of everything into more of a 30dB range (-30 for soft, 0 for deafening). In all practical reality. But if your preamp only had a 30dB range... that wouldn't really work.

Reality has a good 144 dBs of softs to louds, acoustic sounds the air. Maybe it's the intensification of that range into a 30dB range that's part of what makes recorded music so good sounding, kind up hyped up beyond real life. But anyway, you need to start with something as close to reality as you can get, ideally.

AdamZuf · 3rd October 2007, 05:08 PM

Thanks for your help

I do like dynamics and even in music in which compressed sound is "the way to do it", I ussually think that it would be much cooler if it had some more space to breath... (well, of coarse the volume war plays a roll in here beyond what's ideally right)

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30th September 2007, 08:33 PM	#1
AdamZuf Gear nut Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Israel Posts: 95	Dynamic range in preamps, any disadvantage? I often see people talking about how great the dynamic range is in some gear, let's say a preamp. We all need and use compressors. It is necessary to tame the dynamic range in order to "make order" in there and prevent things from being percieved as upfront or make the speakers evident by putting the music in them (-: The question is, doesn't having a very dynamic preamp enlargens the demand and use of compressing? Because I mostly try to avoid compressor artifacts. (and no, I don't have killer outboard compressors so you understand why it's like that) Thanks Adam

3rd October 2007, 04:48 PM	#5
joelpatterson Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Location: Albany, New York Posts: 3,471	Yes, you will (at least I think so) need to in the end bring the dynamic range of everything into more of a 30dB range (-30 for soft, 0 for deafening). In all practical reality. But if your preamp only had a 30dB range... that wouldn't really work. Reality has a good 144 dBs of softs to louds, acoustic sounds the air. Maybe it's the intensification of that range into a 30dB range that's part of what makes recorded music so good sounding, kind up hyped up beyond real life. But anyway, you need to start with something as close to reality as you can get, ideally. __________________ Mountaintop Studios ~the peak of perfection~ Petersburgh NY 12138 mountaintop@taconic.net

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2nd October 2007, 09:14 AM	#2
AdamZuf Gear nut Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Israel Posts: 95	anyone?

3rd October 2007, 04:39 PM	#4
AdamZuf Gear nut Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Israel Posts: 95	Thanks, I do know this, I had to be more specific, sometimes I read people are saying "it's very dynamic", in regard that preamp A accentuate dynamics more then B.

3rd October 2007, 05:08 PM	#6
AdamZuf Gear nut Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Israel Posts: 95	Thanks for your help I do like dynamics and even in music in which compressed sound is "the way to do it", I ussually think that it would be much cooler if it had some more space to breath... (well, of coarse the volume war plays a roll in here beyond what's ideally right)