Distressor Vocal Setting

[Chris H]

Carried over from "Other Forums" thread.
QUOTE [Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 5:57 pm

[rick]

your 747 has an indented ratio pot...?
i wish mine did maybe we can swap...?

i think every compresser i have ever seen reacts differently and the meters rarely actually show what is really happening, i just "learn" the ballistic of each unit and get on with it

i think the compresser in the 747 is ... well ... .almost useless but not quite ! which is why i keep it , it makes a great desser !

[Chris H]

your 747 has an indented ratio pot...?
i wish mine did maybe we can swap...

Ok, the correct word is detented....... on my 747, the threshold, ratio and makeup gain are all demented.....or is that decantered....time for some kangaroo steak and coonawarra red...

[toddd]

I've never eaten 'roo steak, what does it taste like?

Any cooking tips?

[chris p]

Can someone help me out with some compressor 101 theory, because I've never really understood the point of the gain reduction meter - it seems to be a fancy way of showing you the unit is working, but hopefully your ears can tell you that. Since the point of compression is to make the louder sounds quieter (or, with makeup gain, the quieter sounds louder), I would have thought the best indicator would have been a simple VU on the output, because either way you'd get a more constant VU level that was present in the input. A VU meter on the output would also (I would think) better help you to get the compression settings into the right area that a GR meter.

So what is the real purpose of a GR meter, and how should I be using it?

[chris p]

Oh, and Chris H

In relation to the lack of fine scale in compression ratios, FWIW my solution is to run the material through the compressor twice (or more times) at lower compression ratios. If you picture the effect of applying a compression curve to a compression curve, you'll get what I mean. Its more time consuming, but the effect is quite musical. I think the FNR "nice mode" uses this trick.

[Chris H]

I've never eaten 'roo steak, what does it taste like?

Any cooking tips?

The male is too gamey and is not used for comercial sale. As for the female, meat is very lean / no fat, and i cook it in a cast iron skillet fairly hot for mediam rare. With some steak you can get away with putting a lid on the skillet to increase the temp and cook the inside of the steak quicker if its thick, but roo tends to toughen up a bit when you do this. A generous splash of red wine and a bit of garlic in the pan is nice, and i grind in some black pepper and throw in some slices of mushroom for the last 60 sec before serving.

[wez]

i had the best kangaroo fillets ever, couple of weeks ago at the Napier Hotel in Fitzroy. they were sensational.

went through a bbq roo phase a few summers ago, might have to get back into it this year. fabulous stuff.

[Chris H]

Oh, and Chris H

In relation to the lack of fine scale in compression ratios, FWIW my solution is to run the material through the compressor twice (or more times) at lower compression ratios. If you picture the effect of applying a compression curve to a compression curve, you'll get what I mean. Its more time consuming, but the effect is quite musical. I think the FNR "nice mode" uses this trick.

Thanks for the reply Chris. For reducing dynamic range i often use the 747 followed by the Limiter plugin in Logic Pro or the limiters in the optro's is their couler suits. But it's the other things a compressor can do with messing with the controlls that i'm after also and i'm wondering if it's possible to open up some options with the 747 by making the ratio adjustment finer. I suppose i should email Avalon directly with my " user feedback" .
As for the VU issue you mention i agree that having the VU measure the output is a usefull feature and i think a serious compressor should be able to switch the VU between input, output, and gain reduction as a handy feature.
Just picked up the Rebis compressor on eBay so that will give me something else to play with. Don't know much about them but they seem to be well built , are from the mid 80's and hpefully have a bit more character than a bear-ringer.