This tutorial, via TronAudio, looks at how to use compression in Ableton Live:

This is a nice wee video Iv done, to help all of you out there struggling with compression. I explain what a compressor is, how it works, the parameters you need to understand, and various ways and techniques of using one to achieve a variety of results, from Mixing, shaping sounds, sidechaining to FX. Hope its of good use.

In episode 3 of the Get To Know Your Gear series, the guys from Blorp Corp get to know/pimp the Universal Audio LA-610 Mk II Vacuum Tube Microphone/Instrument/Line Preamp.

In this official Ableton Live video, Huston Singletary demonstrates vocoding with the Ableton Vocoder.

Vocoders use a multiband filter to apply the amplitude of various frequencies of a source sound, such as your voice, to another sound. Vocoders are probably best known from the voice of the Cylons on Battlestar Galactica and other sci fi robots.

Ableton Live Vocoder Tutorial, II

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sidechain Compression in Ableton Live 8

via AbletonInc:

Huston Singletary explains and demonstrates the popular “pumping and breathing” effect used on countless electronic and dance tracks. Live 8’s intuitive Compressor-Sidechain effect is explained and a custom preset is created in the studio showing the characteristics of this classic audio effect.

Here’s another cool Ableton Live tutorial by Tom Cosm. This video talks about interesting ways to use the sidechaining function in Ableton Live’s Compressor, Autofilter and Gate.

Airwindows’ Pop is a universal binary Audio Unit compressor plugin designed to create “extraordinary pop vocals.”

According to Airwindows:

Inspired by radio-friendly Genesis, Pop puts every detail in your lap- the reason it exists is, I was listening to ‘Mama’ and other songs off the eponymous Genesis album, and couldn’t believe how overwhelming Hugh Padgham had Phil Collins’ vocal sounding. It reached out and grabbed and defined every detail so aggressively- I needed to make a special compressor that could deliver a sound like that, because nothing I had was designed for such aggressive behavior.

Pop retails for $59.99. A non-expiring demo version is available.

This is a tutorial on Cakewalk TS 64 Transient Shaper.

This is a reformatted excerpt from the video training course Sonar 8 – Know It All! by Digital Music Doctor.

via digitalmusicdoctor

2009 NAMM Show Update: Focusrite introduced its first collection of VST/AU plug-ins, the awesomely titled Focusrite Plug-in Suite.

The Focusrite Plug-in Suite offers a high-end collection of EQ, compression, reverb and gating VST/AU plug-ins for tracking and mixing:

• The Compressor and Gate have been modeled on Focusrite’s hardware devices, using the measurement of Focusrite’s custom optos to achieve a vintage optical sound. (Focusrite optos are tuned by ear, just like in the old days of analogue design, ensuring a faithful recreation of those classic vintage 1960s optical compressors.) The Gate also features multiple modes. It operates as a stereo gate and, in dual mono modes, one signal can be used to trigger the gate of another; ideal for a number of creative gating techniques, such as tightening up a bass line.
• The EQ module delivers a similar signature to the original Focusrite ISA EQ curves. Focusrite’s R&D team worked to create an authentic response across the entire audible frequency spectrum. The control layout also mirrors that of the original ISA EQ section; a classic six band EQ, with shelving high and low bands, parametric low mid and high mid bands, and low and high pass filters.
• The Reverb is based on classic algorithmic studio reverb designs. Simple controls let you edit room size, Pre-filter and ‘Air’.

The Focusrite Plug-in Suite will be available worldwide in January 2009.

• The 4020 Retro EQ is a four-band EQ and complimentary filter set. The HF and LF bands are shelving EQ, with two additional parametric EQs at the HMF and LMF bands.
• The 4030 Retro Compressor is a new dynamic range control topology coupled with a wet/dry mix control to balance compressed and uncompressed signals. An active attack and release design allows aggressive compression settings with minimal artifact generation.
• The 4040 Retro Limiter combines a look-ahead brick wall limiter function with several subjective treatments to make the limiting action subtle, and yet vintage.

Shipping in Spring 2009, the Retro Pack HD Bundle will be available for $995, and the Native Bundle will be available for $495. The McDSP HD line supports TDM, RTAS and Audiosuite formats and the Native line supports RTAS and Audiosuite formats.

LIke it nice and rough?

Audio Damage has released Rough Rider Pro – a compressor plugin that promises to be three times as rough:

What do you get when you add an isolator section to a stack of three Rough Rider compressors? Rough Rider Pro! While most multi-band compressors are designed to do gentle dynamics control (and to be fair, Rough Rider Pro can do that sort of thing if you want) we added the Nuclear Option to this compressor. 1000:1 ratio? Check! Series mode for ludicrous squishing? Check! Full isolator for extreme tone carving? Check! 

In short, Rough Rider Pro is for those times when you want to know your signal is compressed. Other compressors are kittens, rainbows, and gumdrops. This one is a 40-foot-tall fire-breathing lizard.

This plug-in is available for Windows (XP SP2 or Vista) VST and Macintosh OS X VST and AudioUnit. Note that the OS X versions require 10.4.0 or later.

Features:
 

• Isolator section for simple control of input frequencies.
• Multi-band mode, for a single Rough Rider compressor on each band.
• Series mode, for three Rough Riders in a row.
• Attack time goes as low as 0.1ms, for use as a distortion unit.
• Ratio of 1:1 to 1000:1 for complete control of signal dynamics.
• MIDI learn for hardware control of all parameters (VST only).

A free version of Rough Rider is also available, with just one channel of compression.

Audio Damage has released a free compressor plugin for Mac and Windows, Rough Rider.

Description:

Rough Rider is a modern compressor with a bit of “vintage” style bite and a uniquely warm sound. Perfect for adding compression effects to your drum buss, it also sounds great with synth bass, clean guitar, and backing vocals. Definitely not an all-purpose compressor, Rough Rider is at its best when used to add pump to rhythmic tracks. Of course, you can use it however you’d like. The Compressor Police aren’t gonna come to your house and give you a citation. Slap it on a track and crank some knobs.

It’s a free download at the Audio Damage site.

The front panel layout is done the same as many hardware compressors, so it will be immediately obvious how to use it. A brief overview of the controls:

Ratio: The ratio knob is logarithmic in operation. Completely anti-clockwise is 1:1, and completely clockwise is 1:1000. The 12 o’clock position is 1:10, so everything to the left of center is single digits, and everything to the right is “atom bomb squish,” essentially. 

Attack and Release: We left off the actual time values, so you’re gonna have to use your ears, like the he-men did it in times of myth. 

Meter: That honking big dial in the middle of the UI is the gain reduction meter. It basically shows how much compression is occurring. 

Sensitivity: usually called “threshold” now, but we think “sensitivity” always made more sense. Turn to the right, you get more compression, essentially. Turn it all the way to the right, and you’ve got a distortion box, the sound of which is tuned by Ratio, Attack, and Release.

Makeup: 30 dB of gain to compensate for the attenuation caused by the compressor. 

Active: From the front panel, this is simply an off/on switch, but if you automate it, strange things happen…

MIDI Learn: Like all of our products, the VST version has MIDI Learn. Download any manual from the current product line for an explanation of how this works, as it is common among all our VST products.

Rough Rider is available as a VST effect for Windows, and an AU or VST for OSX. The OSX versions are Universal Binaries, and require OSX 
10.4.0 or later.

De La Mancha has introduced bathtub – a Windows VST that they describe as  ”more than just a simple compressor.”

It does multi-band compression, multi-layer parallel compression, series compression, mid/side compression, Left/Right compression, RMS/Peak detection, side-chaining, look-ahead, limiting & maximizing and has comprehensive metering and clip counting.

bathtub is really 2 stereo compressors that can be routed to be in series or parallel, can be fed the input signal split into high/low frequencies or full band, and can perform as different styles of compressor, limiter or maximizer to produce a range of flavours and effects. The metering shows you visually what is happening too, so you can see how much compression and gain you are getting.

Examples of configuration could include;

• parallel RMS and peak compressors
• series RMS into peak compressor
• series peak into RMS compressor
• series compressor into limiter
• parallel mid and side compressors
• parallel left and right compressors
• 2 band compression, mono low, wider high
• parallel compressors different settings

Note: Bathtub comes with a warning:

Bathtub is capable of significantly increasing the volume of audio material. Some of the presets are much louder than others, especially where demonstrating a maximiser function. Please take care when scanning through presets or tweaking/automating parameters, as you may get sudden increases in volume that could damage your ears or equipment.

It retails for $29.

Analog Industries has announced the Audio Damage Rough Rider, a plug-in compressor that is going to be a freebie. Details to come.

Waves has introduced the Jack Joseph Puig Collection, a collection of audio plug-ins based on some of the most sought-after vintage pieces of gear in audio history.

“As time goes by, there are fewer and fewer examples of these heirloom processors for artists, engineers or producers to have access to,” stated Jack Joseph Puig. “Not every studio or engineer has had the luxury that I have had to be in the same creative space as some of these magnificent pieces of equipment. The three vintage processors that Waves and I have modeled are reference standard pieces of what that particular processor is supposed to sound and feel like.”

Description:

Legendary among audio aficionados for his extensive collection of exceptional, hand-picked vintage outboard gear, Puig not only shared his knowledge and expertise on these devices, but he also gave Waves exclusive access to model his most prized processors.

Working in Puig’s personal recording space, located at Los Angeles’ Ocean Way Recording Studios, Waves’ R&D team painstakingly analyzed and modeled each processor’s attribute, replicating its sound and behavior to the point where the software was virtually indistinguishable from hardware. Puig became an indispensable part of the development process, greatly assisting the Waves team by testing and fine tuning the software models of his hardware, as well as contributing an extensive library of his personal presets.

The PuigChild 660 & 670 Compressor/Limiter

Throughout the vinyl era, the original Fairchild stereo 670 compressor and its mono counterpart, the 660, were ubiquitous. From the recording studio to the record lathe, the Fairchild was renowned for its advanced compression techniques and incomparable sound. With the PuigChild 660 & 670 Compressor/Limiter, Waves has captured every distinctive nuance of Jack Joseph Puig’s Fairchild 670, along with every detail of its rich harmonic complexity. Key features include: Lateral Vertical Mode (MS Compression) for Optimal Stereo Imaging; Linked & Unlinked Modes; Digidesign Icon Support; Up to 24-bit 192 kHz Resolution; Mono and Stereo Components; TDM, RTAS, VST, AU support; PC and Mac Compatibility.

Key controls include: Input Gain -20 to 0; Threshold 0 to 10 (0.1 steps); Time Constant 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; On/Off; Mains Off, 50Hz, 60Hz; Link Left/Right, Linked, Lateral/Vertical; Output -18dB to 18dB (0.1 steps).

The PuigTec EQP-1A Program Equalizer

The Pultec EQP-1A is renowned for its warm and round low frequency equalization and its beautiful high frequency boost; it also has the unique ability to boost and cut the same frequencies simultaneously, thereby creating a resonant shelf. Conceived and created for broadband equalization, the original EQP-1A features four low boost/cut frequencies, three high-cut frequencies and seven HF boost points, along with a bandwidth control for shaping the high boost curve. Waves’ PuigTec EQP-1A is a remarkable replication of Jack Joseph Puig’s original handcrafted unit, heard on dozens of popular recordings from artists including Weezer, The Black Crowes and Panic at the Disco.

Key features include: Unique resonant low shelf boost; Digidesign Icon support; Up to 24-bit, 96-kHz resolution; Mono and Stereo components; TDM, RTAS, VST, AU support; PC and Mac compatibility.

Key controls include: Low Band Boost 0 to 11 (18 dB boost, 0.1 steps); Low Band Attenuation 0 to 11 (18 dB cut, 0.1 steps); Low Band Frequency 20Hz, 30Hz, 60Hz, 100Hz; High Bell Boost 0 to 11 (18 dB boost, 0.1 steps); High Bell Bandwidth (Q) 0 to 11 (0=sharp 11=wide, 0.1 steps); High Bell Frequency 3kHz, 4kHz, 5kHz, 8kHz, 10kHz, 12kHz, 16kHz; High Shelf Attenuation 0 to 11 (18 dB cut, 0.1 steps); High Shelf Frequency (Atten Sel) 5kHz, 10kHz, 20kHz; In/Out; Output -18dB to 18dB (0.1 steps); Mains Off, 50 Hz, 60 Hz.

The PuigTec MEQ-5

The distinctive tonal characteristics of the MEQ-5 have made the original Pultec hardware a mainstay at high-end studios for decades. The midrange PuigTec MEQ-5 and the broadband PuigTec EQP-1A together constitute one of the best-known equalization chains in audio history.

Key features include: Digidesign Icon support; Up to 24-bit, 96-kHz resolution; Mono and Stereo components; TDM, RTAS, VST, AU support; PC and Mac compatibility.

Key controls include: Low Mid Frequency 200Hz, 300Hz, 500Hz, 700Hz, 1000Hz; Low Mid Peak 0 to 11 (10dB boost, 0.1 steps); Mid Frequency 200Hz, 300Hz, 500Hz, 700Hz,1000Hz, 1.5kHz, 2kHz, 3kHz,4kHz, 5kHz, 7kHz; Mid Dip 0 to 11 (10dB cut, 0.1 steps); High Mid Frequency 1.5kHz, 2kHz, 3kHz, 4kHz, 5kHz; High Mid Peak 0 to 11 (10dB boost 0.1 steps); In/Out; Output -18dB to 18dB (0.1 steps); Mains Off, 50 Hz, 60 Hz.

The JJP Collection is currently available separately as well as part of the Waves Mercury bundle.

The Production Pack is a collection of four studio-quality audio mastering tools for use in Digital Audio Workstations and host programs. The four plug-ins included in the package are:

• The Essential Compressor
• The Dynamic EQ
• The Precision EQ
• The Vintage EQ

These beta installers are operational for 30 days from their installation date, to give users the opportunity to test the plug-ins in many operating environments. Installers are available for the Windows XP and Vista platforms and for Apple OS X 10.3.9 and above, and a host program is required for use.

elysia’s mpressor, which gets our vote for the sexiest compressor in the world, will be available as of September 2007.

With the mpressor, elysia introduces a new tool for creative dynamics processing. On top of the tried and tested standard features, this creative compressor provides several special functions that produce fat and freaky sounds by employing a punchy control behavior, colorations full of character and extreme settings. Besides classic tracking applications, its favorite domains are groovy effect compression and creative sound design.

Read on for all the gear pr0n details….

Each of both linkable channels offers a switchable Auto Fast function that allows very fast yet distortion-free compression without any artifacts. The Anti Log circuit generates explicit compression effects such as pumping and breathing. As the mpressor is a true feed forward design, it also allows negative ratios which result in the most extreme over-compression effects. The Niveau Filters can change the character of a track from subtle to striking with the possibility of a continuous frequency shift. The Gain Reduction Limiter is a novel feature that lets the user choose the maximum amount of Gain Reduction he wants to draw from the unit, and this at the twist of a knob. The switchable external sidechain inputs make for further flexibility in terms of compression behavior.

The circuit design of the mpressor is completely based on discrete analog technology. The entire signal processing is implemented with single transistors in permanent class-A mode, and even the sidechain and power supply are composed of fully discrete circuits. An oversized power transformer, capsuled conductive plastic potentiometers, internal temperature stabilizers for critical components as well as special current feedback amplifiers are part of the technical finesse. The combination of these elements aims at the maximum reachable signal quality and guarantees clean and powerful sound characteristics even when extreme settings are used.

Descriptions:

Created to satisfy a long-standing demand for side-chain capability missing in many audio software packages, both plug-ins feature db audioware’s Universal Sidechains. This technology gives the plug-ins true multi track side-chaining operation in most audio programs running on Mac OS X and PC Windows, independent of the native routing offered by the host software itself.

Multi track side-chaining allows one track to control the dynamics of another. Traditional applications range from broadcast voice ducking to intelligent gating of drum tracks to remove crosstalk. Sidechain Compressor and Sidechain Gate are also aimed at more creative applications such as synchronised gating and other complex mix techniques found in dance production and electronic music.

Features include:

• New compression and gating algorithms that deliver an authentic analogue sound with low distortion
• Easy to set up multi track side-chaining, independent of any host routing
• Compressor & Gate plug-ins also work as normal channel insert effects
• EQ and Shape controls in the side-chain permit radical & fine tuning of the plug-ins’ dynamic response and character
• Compressor Auto Gain with brickwall limiter supports extreme compression settings with little or no distortion
• Dual metering for clear visual feedback
• Listen mode to monitor side-chain signal
• VST & Audio Units format for Mac OS X (Universal Binaries); VST format for PC Windows; VST 2.4 support
• Full MIDI control, with easy to use MIDI Learn
• Full 64 bit internal resolution supports any sample rate up to 192kHz

Sidechain Compressor and Sidechain Gate each retail at USD 84 | EUR 62 | GBP 42 and are available for immediate purchase and download from the db audioware website.

A reduced price bundle of both plug-ins is also offered at USD 126 | EUR 93 | GBP 63, a savings of 25%.

Features:

• Extreme analog-modelled compression algorithm
• Optional ‘true analog noise’ colouration
• Four selectable fully adaptive attack/release modes
• Modifiable side-chain filter character
• 64bit floating point precision internal processing throughout
• Efficient processing, with specific optimisations for native processors
• Zero latency throughput – absolutely no internal signal delay whatsoever

Applications:

• TBK3 takes advantage of the digital domain to extend analogue circuit designs far beyond their normal physical capabilities, enabling a level of creativity not normally associated with this type of processor. Subtlety is definitely not a feature of this compressor!
• This Über Compressor can be used to simply bring lackluster sound back to life, or to mutate audio into apocalyptic soundscapes.

Pricing and Availability:

$149.99, £79.99, €119.99

Crysonic has announced the release of SPECTRA C1, a Pro Audio grade wideband Compressor suitable for voice, instruments, track compression and subtle soft-knee mastering compression and expansion.

We haven’t used this, but the interface is, how do they say, “the sexy”.

Spectra C1 utilizes Crysonics’ physics based audio processing engine, allowing the characteristics of the final audio to be easily adjusted to taste.

Compatible with all VST hosts including Wavelab versions 5 and upwards and Receptor.

Pricing

Introductory offer of USD $49.95 (during the month of May Only). Regular retail pricing will be USD $59.95. All Previous Crysonic Customers can purchase SPECTRA C1 for $29.95.

Blue Cat Audio has released a new version (1.4) of Blue Cat’s Dynamics all-in-one dynamics processing DirectX and VST plugin for Windows, introducing a new user interface design and many performance and ergonomics improvements.

This plugin can act as a compressor, limiter, expander, gate or distortion unit, making it one of the most complete dynamics processor of the market. Its original controls and unique monitoring features will suit both the advanced users’ and beginners’ needs. It also provides side chain capabilities as well as MIDI and Automation output.

New in Blue Cat’s Dynamics v1.4:

• New user interface design
• Several ergonomics improvements
• Skin loading performance improvement (up to 80% faster)
• Reduced memory consumption when using several instances
• Compression graph clarity and rendering performance enhancements
• Window Opacity Management: make the plugin window transparent and see behind
• Blue Cat’s Skinning Language 1.3 support
• (Bug fix): on the stereo version the sidechain filter did not work as expected in some situations

Blue Cat’s Dynamics features:

• Full featured dynamics processor: compressor, gate, limiter, expander, distortion
• Available in mono and stereo versions
• Total control over the processor: continuous peak/RMS and Opto/VCA modes selection
• Total control over the signal: dry/wet control, input fiter, side chain filter
• Post brickwall limiter or waveshaper
• Optimal monitoring: dynamics response and input/output envelopes real time display, main compression information – can be recorded as automation curves
• Best quality: up to 4x oversampling for the best sounding quality
• Side chaining made easy: a unique way to perform side chain compression and much more
• Real time MIDI control with advanced settings (MIDI channel and CC numbers, with complete response curve control) and MIDI learn
• Multiple skins included for optimal user experience
• Window Opacity Managemenr: make the plugin window transparent
• No latency
• Native DSP code for optimal performance
• Skinnable user interface
• DirectX and VST plug-in formats support
• Smooth Update: silent (zipper-free) parameters update
• ull automation support (all parameters can be automated, with smooth and continuous update)

Price (Special new version price: -15%):
67.15 EUR (instead of 79 EUR), or USD 83.94 (instead of USD 94.80)