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[wwest]

I've used it so many times and love what I can accomplish with that setting, but have always wondered what exactly is happening inside.  The meter reacts much differently than any other comp I own when in this mode.  Is it just adding extreme limiting or what??

I've found that the "four button" setting does wonders for my snare, I'm just wondering what it's actually doing??

Any direction here?

[wwest]

No one knows anything on this??

[zmix]

wwest wrote on Thu, 16 December 2004 17:10

I've used it so many times and love what I can accomplish with that setting, but have always wondered what exactly is happening inside.  The meter reacts much differently than any other comp I own when in this mode.  Is it just adding extreme limiting or what?? I've found that the "four button" setting does wonders for my snare, I'm just wondering what it's actually doing?? Any direction here?

OK, I'll answer. The effect is activated by pressing the first and last ratio switch. Anyone who claims that the sound is different by pressing all four is either deaf, insane or has some really dirty switch contacts. (Look at the schematic, the intermediate switch resistors are shorted by pressing the 1st and 4th switches).

The meter responds differently because the FET bias is being changed dramatically and it is at this point in the circuit that the meter driver signal is derived. It is not accurately displaying the actual gain reduction due to the DC offset on the meter.

The other effect is that the sidechain is getting about 6db more signal than normal.


To sum up:

FET Q-point changed

Sidechain 6dB more sensitive

Metering fucked

[wwest]

Makes all the sense in the world.  Thanks.

Compression and meters, to me, is a crap shoot.  I've found that compression requires ears, not meters.  Half the time, regardless which compressor I'm using, the meter tells me one thing but my ears tell me another.

[zmix]

wwest wrote on Sun, 19 December 2004 13:38

Makes all the sense in the world.  Thanks. Compression and meters, to me, is a crap shoot.  I've found that compression requires ears, not meters.  Half the time, regardless which compressor I'm using, the meter tells me one thing but my ears tell me another.

Precisely!... (pun intended).

I was discussing metering with a friend who's designing an new compressor and has incorporated a 40 LED meter with one dB steps for the gain reduction, I suggested that fewer LEDs would be acceptable because after 15-20 dB of limiting this box will be adjusted aurally anyway.

However, humans do receive 90% of their information visually, hence are largely visually informed. I have no doubt that people attribute sound qualities that are not there when they see that meter on the 1176 swinging around in that incomprehensible fashion.

[Fletcher]

FWIW, you don't need to push in all 4 button... push in 20:1 and 4:1 and you'll accomplish the same thing.  You can get other textures with other combinations as well.

Best of luck with it.

[wwest]

zmix wrote on Sun, 19 December 2004 13:20

wwest wrote on Sun, 19 December 2004 13:38 Makes all the sense in the world.  Thanks. Compression and meters, to me, is a crap shoot.  I've found that compression requires ears, not meters.  Half the time, regardless which compressor I'm using, the meter tells me one thing but my ears tell me another. Precisely!... (pun intended). I was discussing metering with a friend who's designing an new compressor and has incorporated a 40 LED meter with one dB steps for the gain reduction, I suggested that fewer LEDs would be acceptable because after 15-20 dB of limiting this box will be adjusted aurally anyway. However, humans do receive 90% of their information visually, hence are largely visually informed. I have no doubt that people attribute sound qualities that are not there when they see that meter on the 1176 swinging around in that incomprehensible fashion.

At -40 db reduction I'm sure even the most dynamic recording would sound paper thin and as flat as a board.  Although, I've never tried it and am doubtful I ever will??

[U1176]

zmix wrote on Sat, 18 December 2004 18:25

The effect is activated by pressing the first and last ratio switch. Anyone who claims that the sound is different by pressing all four is either deaf, insane or has some really dirty switch contacts. (Look at the schematic, the intermediate switch resistors are shorted by pressing the 1st and 4th switches).

[U1176]

Fletcher wrote on Mon, 20 December 2004 09:54

FWIW, you don't need to push in all 4 button... push in 20:1 and 4:1 and you'll accomplish the same thing.  You can get other textures with other combinations as well. Best of luck with it.

[zmix]

u1176 wrote on Mon, 20 December 2004 10:23

zmix wrote on Sat, 18 December 2004 18:25 The effect is activated by pressing the first and last ratio switch. Anyone who claims that the sound is different by pressing all four is either deaf, insane or has some really dirty switch contacts. (Look at the schematic, the intermediate switch resistors are shorted by pressing the 1st and 4th switches).

u1176 wrote on Mon, 20 December 2004 10:25

Fletcher wrote on Mon, 20 December 2004 09:54 FWIW, you don't need to push in all 4 button... push in 20:1 and 4:1 and you'll accomplish the same thing.  You can get other textures with other combinations as well. Best of luck with it.

Hey u1176  - You don't expect anyone here to READ do you?

[U1176]

zmix wrote on Mon, 20 December 2004 13:11

Hey u1176  - You don't expect anyone here to READ do you?

And all this time I've been wasting!