[LAU] SC4_mono compressor question

[Arnold Krille]

Hi,

On Tuesday 23 March 2010 21:38:54 Oleg Ivanenko wrote:
> I want to compress my bass track in Ardour using LADSPA plugin
> SC4_mono, like an area between green lines on this screenshot:
> http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rWUnqubFxa_Vf1jlRvCQQQ?feat=directlink
> But after "freezing" in Ardour track waveform seems like on this
> screenshot:
>  http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sqr7LA3s6XFvmmldc03Ehw?feat=directlin
> k
> I have expected that bottom part waveform(under bottom green line)
> will be smoothed like an top part... Am I misunderstand compressing
> fundamentals? May be I have wrong plugin settings, I mean "attack",
> "release" and so on...

Compression as in compressors isn't like compression as in tubes or magnetic 
tapes.
With tubes you get roughly what you expect, a rounded response to the level 
where it stays linear up to a certain point and then goes into saturation.
A compressor is a volume-knob controlled by the music itself. And when it 
reduces the volume, it reduces to volume. Both for the loud parts and the not 
so loud or silent parts. The time constants on how fast to react to the level 
crossing the threshold is determined by the attack and release (and sometimes 
even a hold) but its always slower then a saturation of tube or tape (on 
purpose).

So either you want compression or you want saturation/distortion. But these 
are different effects and therefore implemented in different plugins.

Note 1: I had good success in fattening a bass by feeding it through one of 
the CAPS tube amps.

Note 2: If your ears and your eyes tell you different things, trust your ears. 
You are making music, not a painting.

Have fun,

Arnold
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