Question: Safe Sound Audio P1

[Vic]

Hi there,

I'm thinking of buying my first recording channel. I've heard that Safe Sound Audio P1 is a truly Safe unit for beginners such as myself. It will be used mostly for female singers and I was wondering if someone can explain to me how to use the attack knob...I mean what would happen if I'll make it too fast, or too slow?

I know I'll have to find out most of it for myself but I'm hoping to get some insights
about it from experienced engineers. When is it necessary to use fast attack on vocals and when would you prefer to use slower attack?

Thanks and sorry for bothering you with such basic question.

Vic

BTW I'm 13 years old (turning 14 next month) so I'd prefer the simpliest explanation possible. Thanks again

[Drumsound]

The attack knob on a compressor is a time device. It controlls how quickly the compressor reduces the gain after the signal has passed the set threshold. The release controlls how quickly is stops compressing.

Its hard to give guidelines on when you want a fast attack and when medium and when slow. Part of the decision is personal, part practicle and part instinctual. Generally faster attack times are more aggressive and obvious, Slower attacks can be more gentle. If the attack of the instrument that you are compressing seems 'chopped off' or distorts, that would be a situation to slow down the attack. If the attack of the instrument being compressed still sticks out and is 'too loud' you might speed up the attack.

I'm guessing from you question and you age that you've not worked with a compressor. When you get the unit (BTW Gearsluts member Warhead sells them and he's super cool) run some prerecorded material through it and listen to what it does. Try some mixes and individule tracks. Listen more then looking at the knobs and meters. Put your hand on a knob. Close you eyes and twist the knob. Listen to what it does. Don't let the meters or settings tell you what you hear.

Good Luck and HAVE FUN!

[tvanveen]

What drumsound says.

I found with my female (and only) singer I have to use a pretty fast attack with the P1. Once is gets too slow you can actually hear it trying to catch up and it's not pretty.

Once I got it dialed in I liked it a lot...I just had to experiment a bit.

I bought mine from Warhead. thumbsup

[Vic]

Thanks very much for your replies. It is very clear to me now what the attack knob is for (at least theoretically). One more question: Do I get faster attack by turning the knob clockwise or anticlockwise and why there is no release knob on P1?
Also, what do you think about the limiter on P1?

Thanks again for your patience and time.
Vic.

[Drumsound]

On most comps turning the knob all the way to the left is fastest for both attack and release. There are some that are oppisite I think... If there is no release it's either preset, or reacts to the signal.

I've not used the Safe Sound so I can't comment on that.

[warhead]

Originally Posted by Drumsound

On most comps turning the knob all the way to the left is fastest for both attack and release. There are some that are oppisite I think... If there is no release it's either preset, or reacts to the signal.

I've not used the Safe Sound so I can't comment on that.

On the Safe Sound it's reverse on the attack knob, fastest setting to the right and slowest to the left. Hey they even drive on the wrong side of the road over there!

War

[warhead]

Vic, Robert Campbell the designer of the P1 frequents our own forum linked off our front page if you'd like to ask the designer yourself.

War

[Drumsound]

Originally Posted by warhead

On the Safe Sound it's reverse on the attack knob, fastest setting to the right and slowest to the left. Hey they even drive on the wrong side of the road over there!

War

Crazy Limeys!
That's why I left myself two 'outs' in my post...

[Snatchman]

Hey Vic, way to go man! Asking sensible question from the begining at such a early age. Shoot...when I was 13 years old, I'd try something out , destroy it, then ask why I don't work!.. ...Way to go!....

[meteor]

imagine how brilliant i might be if i had also been thinking about this when i was a youngster instead of focusing solely on sports and trying to hook up my first kiss.

props sir. give me a job when you have finally conquered the recording universe at the ripe old age of 23. i'll still have a few good years left by then.

cheers,