31
Sabine Smart Spectrum
®
Wireless
LIT-SWM6-7000-OG-EN-110203.indd
© 2011 Sabine
, Inc.
Compressor Limiter
Gain:
(Output Level) Since the output gain is attenuated whenever the input
gain exceeds the compression threshold, the overall output level of a
compressed signal will be reduced. Commonly, this reduced output gain
is compensated for by raising the level of the output signal (the term is
“gain make-up”). Output Level range may be adjusted from mute (minus
infinity) up to +20 dB, in increments of 1 dB (depending on input).
8.3. Suggested Compression Settings
8.3.1. Vocal Settings
The renowned expressiveness of the human voice is due in large part to its
dynamics. A vocal that varies from a whisper to a scream has a strong emotional
impact, but those same dynamics present a challenge to the sound engineer.
Ideal vocal compression maintains some dynamic range while keeping the
vocal the focal point of the mix.
Ratio:
A soft voice might require a ratio of 2:1, whereas a loud voice might
require a ratio setting of 6:1.
Thresh:
The higher the threshold setting, the more signal is required to initi-
ate compression. Ideally this should be set to reign in peak levels,
and allow signals of lower gain to pass uncompressed. Threshold
settings will depend on the nature and variety of the signal source.
Strong vocalists will require a different threshold than quiet speak-
ers or singers.
Attack:
Short attack times usually work well for voice. However, too strong
a compression ratio, too low a threshold, and too fast an attack may
attenuate speech consonants, which provide important intelligibility
cues to the audience, thus compromising clarity.
8.3.2. Guitar Settings
Ratio:
A high compression ratio (with gain makeup) will add sustain to
held notes and chords.
Thresh:
Moving the threshold will change the audible thick/thinness of
the guitar tone, but generally you want to compress all the notes
played.
Attack:
Be wary of too quick an attack, which may reduce the percussive
attack of the guitar notes.
In general, be wary of too much gain makeup, and too high a compression ratio,
which may make a noisy guitar amplifier more objectionable. Ratio settings might
range from 6 to 20:1, threshold variable, slower attack, soft knee, output gain
boosted slightly to significantly depending on amount of compression.
8.3.3. Bass Guitar Settings
Bass players use a variety of techniques, often in the same song, that can
benefit from compression. Compressing bass evens out peaks and keeps the
bass level in the mix.
Ratio:
Set to 4:1
Thresh:
Set to compress peaks only
Attack:
Quick attack, medium release, hard knee (try various release set-
tings, depending on the speed of notes played)
Gain:
Output boosted slightly
ratio
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attaCk
ratio
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Vocals
Short attack is better for vocals. Be careful not
to over attenuate speech consonants.
Soft voice
Loud voice
Soft voice
Loud voice
Guitar
Less Sustain
More Sustain
Thinner sound
Thicker sound
Be wary of too quick an attack, which may re-
duce the percussive attack of the guitar notes.
Summary of Contents for SWM6000
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