M_Glenn_M
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volume automation vs compression/limit
Why would one use compression and limiting over volume automation?
Wouldn't the automation be cleaner?
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Bristol_Jonesey
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Re:volume automation vs compression/limit
2012/07/20 11:00:41
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There are probably many answers to this mate - but I use a mixture of both on the same tracks, using volume automation for coarse control and looking after the macro dynamics, and compression for fine control & micro dynamics.
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AT
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Re:volume automation vs compression/limit
2012/07/20 11:19:45
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Compressing is volume automation - but automatic. Whether one could do all the micro adjustments that a comp does is another matter.
Many, if not most people, combine both. Automation takes care of the big jumps in volume, which keeps your compressor from straining and lets it even out the smaller lumps in volume. Standard OP for most styles of music, where you want your vocals, for example, to float at the same volume over the music.
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synkrotron
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Re:volume automation vs compression/limit
2012/07/20 11:21:58
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I would also like to add that Compression is also used, in some situations, creatively, if you know what I mean... As a creative effect, one that you could not achieve any other way...
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konradh
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Re:volume automation vs compression/limit
2012/07/20 11:58:52
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1- Compression can respond much faster to fast changes--even affecting brief transients
2-Depending on the particular model, compression can added coloration (either wanted or unwanted). The 1176 is a perfect example of one that changes the sound a little in a way many people like.
3-A compressor's make-up gain can bring the overall level up.
I would not use a compressor to fix a simple problem like the singer is a little quiter on one verse than another. That is a perfect job for automation. I would use it to make sure the lyrics all came out clearly. Many singers' volumes fluctuate even within words and the vocals do not sound out front, or some pieces of words get buried. I would also use a compressor to give the voice more of a "record" sound. Lots of people use compressors on lots of instruments for lots of good reasons. I don't too much—just a style thing.
Your question is very smart because some people reach for the compressor knobs out of reflex where a seasoned engineer would just do some manual (or automated) "fader compression."
EDIT: Just read BitFlipper's comments which are excellent. Funny that he and I said opposite things about professional engineers but I think both are true. Depends on the situation and the budget.
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bitflipper
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Re:volume automation vs compression/limit
2012/07/20 11:59:43
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Why would one use compression and limiting over volume automation? Good question. A lot of advice we get comes from professional audio engineers, and we naturally assume it's always best to emulate the pros. But we forget that pros are required to do this stuff FAST. They might have half a day to complete a mix, whereas the hobbyist has all the time in the world. The pro justifies automated dynamics because the alternative would simply take too long. But if you've got the time and inclination, you can often achieve better results through automation, especially when it comes to such tasks as track leveling and de-essing. However, dynamics processors aren't just used for leveling and infrequent events like rogue "S"s. They are also used to sculpt the microdynamics of sound sources, such as fattening drums by squashing the peaks and amplifying release periods. It's usually not be practical to accomplish those kinds of tasks with volume automation alone.
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M_Glenn_M
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Re:volume automation vs compression/limit
2012/07/20 14:40:53
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Good stuff! thanks guys.
I had just put in a limiter and 2 comps on a vox track and thought it seemed a bit much just to tame a few over peaks.
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AT
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Re:volume automation vs compression/limit
2012/07/20 15:30:27
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Glenn,
you might find that it is. One of the problems w/ compression done serially is that it can overemphasize the sibelence etc., esp. once you get through the mastering stage. T's will get unnaturally hard, p's flutter and s's sound like you are speaking slitheran. Bringing down these consonants w/ an envelope can help solve this problem.
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