cliffr
Steev
Well, I didn't classify it as a compressor, nor am I a novice or naive. It's a limiter, and the threshold slider controls the level at which compression begins to kick in.
I said I found calling it a gain control puzzling. Because ... well it's not a gain control.
I understand how you're talking about using it, which may be cool, but doesn't make it a gain or volume control. Yes you may use it to apply some gain, but there are other effects there, namely limiting and compression, which you are obviously aware of and taking advantage of in the scenarios you describe.
However, to call it a gain or volume control, or use instead of a gain or volume control, it isn't, it's a limiter and functions quite differently. Therefore, to use it as, and call it a volume control or gain control, it's quite correct to call it a "pseudo gain control". I really don't understand why that seems to get such a reaction.
Very contradictive statement Cliffr. 1st paragraph say it's not classified as a compressor, 2sd paragraph you claim, ah, lemme copy and paste to quote a quote "namely limiting and compression".
I'll try once more to attempt to clear the confusion and try to explain why using Concrete Limiter is much better and easier to make a track “stand out in the mix” to use than simply cranking up the channel’s trim/Gain control.
The very differences you are misunderstanding are gain STAGE not gain CONTROL.
>>>Snip
No, not contradictive at all.
Limiting and gain reduction are compression by definition. I didn't label it as a compressor, because it's not, it's a limiter. No matter how ancy nancy you want to get about terms and definitions, when you apply gain, limiting, gain reductions, dependent on some threshold, you are compressing the dynamics of the signal. Fact, call it what you want. I'm not misunderstanding anything here.
Somebody said "I like to use the concrete limiter as a gain control". Then pointed to a video titled "Using the concrete limiter as a Volume Control".
I was pointing out, that it's not a "Gain Control". Or a Volume Control. In that context it's a "pseudo gain control".
Steev
The CONCRETE LIMITER DOESN'T COMPRESS ANYTHING!, ZIP NADA! It just makes everything LOUDER from subtle loudness to full tilt boogie ZERO DYNAMICS where everything is heard at the same MAXIMUM VOLUME.
And Concrete Limiter is great for full tilt boogie ZERO DYNAMICS mixes as well for anything used in elevators, shopping malls, dance halls, and jamming down the street listening to yer iPhone as well, and with amazing transparency.
Hense the name Concrete Limiter, or generically called a “Brick Wall Limiter” where and when pushed hard, the wave form loses all dynamic peaks, dips, and valleys, and looks like a solid concrete brick wall.
Tada, when the wave from loses all dynamic peaks, dips, and valleys - guess what. It's been compressed. Maybe not the SAME type of compression that you are getting from what you label as a compressor. But it's compressed. Anything that squashes one part of a signal and not others, is compressing the signal. Fact. Concrete limiter is NOT a gain control, and it's NOT a volume control, it has OTHER effects, which is what I was pointing out. And yes, when the threshold is reached, limiting and gain reduction kick in. The signal dynamics are altered. Quote "loses all dynamic peaks and valleys" = Compressed :-) I didn't come to argue, so I'll leave the last word to you. Go for it :-) Apparently disagreeing with ***** is a problem here, my post pointing out how very wrong his understanding of what a limiter is and does, has been taken down. Obviously to reinforce a fragile ego over having a dialogue pertaining to facts. Be that as it may, it does not change the fact that the information provided in this thread is by and large incorrect and it is also a damned shame to uncover such a cliquey insecure support system is encouraging bad info with little regard for the younger and new to audio participants coming in here for understanding. Really poor showing, but I get it, in the day and age of grumpy old people intent on controlling everything in their reach, dare not disagree with the dinosaurs. Weak as.