COURSERA - INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC PRODUCTION

The concept behind Dynamic Processors

A quick description

31/03/2013

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Concept

Dynamic processors are made for changing the volume, as we consider it is better, within

input's dynamic range. This is pretty obvious applied to an example:

"We have recorded a guitar's track and the microphone has captured plenty of

unwanted noises (as hums or fingernail scratch). What could we do? Just choose a

noise gate, set its parameters (mainly threshold, attack and release) and there you

are: your performance begin to sound cleaner."

In order to manipulate the sound, your DAW creates an envelope from the input signal,

which means that it calculates average levels over time. This is called the "sidechain" or "key

section". Then the dynamic processor changes the level of the input signal, according to

certain mathematic algorithms and using the previous envelope.

Types

The most common dynamic processors that we have available are:

1. Expanders: it is function is increasing the level of the quietest parts of our recordings.

2. Gates/noise gates: are typically used for eliminating the hiss and hum of the

recordings.

3. Compressors: its goal consists in reduce the level of the loudest parts of our

recordings.

4. Limiters: it is useful to set a point that above or below sound is reduced drastically.

We could consider it as a "high" compressor.

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Parameters

In order to use dynamic processors properly we ought to know how the following features

function:

Threshold: is the level at which the dynamic processor stars to function.

Ratio: is the amount of compression, once the signal crosses the threshold.

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Attack time: how fast the processor reacts as the envelope rises up through the

threshold. It is usually measured in milliseconds.

Release time: how fast the processor reacts as the envelope drops down through the

threshold. It is usually measured in milliseconds.

Soft/hard knee: this control is used to set how drastic is the dynamic processor.

Therefore a soft knee slowly increases the compression ratio as the level increases and

eventually reaches the compression ratio set level.

Final notes

I hope you find this document useful as its development has been for me.

Thank you for your time!

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