Few processors are often used as compressors. Compressors drop the volume of your audio when it gets louder than a predetermined threshold, which helps you tame loud peaks. This is especially important with drums, which can have extremely sharp peaks on hits.
The compressor threshold determines the level in decibels at which the compressor “turns on.” Setting a high threshold means the compressor will only activate when the signal gets really loud. Much of a drum’s snap and punch is found in the initial few milliseconds when the sound first hits. Nearly all compressors let you adjust the attack time.
Read more about this here: https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/compression-tricks-give-drums-instant-punch/
Sonarworks intro new standard for accurate monitoring
The Sonarworks Reference plug-in has become an essential tool for mixing by delivering a reliably neutral sound on which to base key mixing decisions. When using headphones, Reference allows you to apply DSP correction profiles for over 100 popular headphone models. For speaker correction, Reference utilizes a measurement microphone to generate a custom profile for your speakers and room.
Now Sonarworks have gone one step further, introducing a new standard that promises to deliver the same sound on all speakers and headphones, with just +/-0.9dB difference across different devices. They’re calling it Sonarworks SR, which stands for “Studio Reference”.
Read more about this here: https://www.soundonsound.com/news/sonarworks-intro-new-standard-accurate-monitoring
The Fundamentals of Amplitude and Loudness
In working with sound, it is absolutely necessary to have a firm grasp of amplitude and loudness and the various methods of measurement. Key to this is understanding the decibel (dB). Most amplitude measurements use decibels in one form or another.
Thus, decibels express amplitude or loudness levels as a value relative to some reference value or beginning value. Most people begin to hear a slight change in level at plus or minus 2dB to 3dB. A 6dB change is perceived as a significant change in level and 10dB to 12dB can be heard as a doubling or halving of loudness.
Read more about this here: https://theproaudiofiles.com/amplitude-and-loudness/
Technique of the Week: Parallel Compression
Parallel compression enables you to boost the impact of signals without losing all their dynamics. If you’ve ever played with the mix control on a compressor plug-in, you’ve already discovered parallel compression.
It’s a process that can be applied to almost any sound, but drum or percussion groups are a great starting point. The sound of parallel compression is by no means dated, but you’ll hear it all over classic mixes from the 70s and 80s. Given how easy it is to achieve, parallel compression should be a go-to whenever you’re looking to add punch and impact to your mix.
Read more about this here: https://www.musictech.net/2018/09/technique-of-the-week-parallel-compression/
The 5 Best Dynamic EQ Plugins (2 Are FREE!)
Dynamic EQs are phenomenal. They are used when the hard, static filter cuts and boosts won’t suffice. I
An EQ filter is generally static. It boosts, cuts and shapes incoming frequencies in a linear fashion. A compressor is non-linear. It “reacts” to incoming signals to boost, attenuate and shape sounds being fed through it dynamically. A dynamic EQ takes the best of both worlds and combines them in one place.
Read more about this here: https://ask.audio/articles/the-5-best-dynamic-eq-plugins-2-are-free