[sdiy] compression and noise gate

[jhaible at debitel.net]

I like the level-independend downward-expander function of the SPL 
Transient Designer (The "Sustain" knob does this) in combination with
a Gate. You can set the combination such that the sinput signal 
is gradually attenuated _just_ _before_ the gate closes, which avoids
the effect of brutally cut release tails.

Transient Designer link:

http://www.spl-usa.com/Transient_Designer2/in_short.html

I've combined a Transient Designer with a Drawmer Gate, both sharing
the same set of VCAs. (2 VCAs for stereo - not 4 VCAs as you'd have
with separate boxes.)
I've published my version here, complete with schematics:

http://jhaible.heim.at/transient/jh_tran_gate.html

This does a great job denoising my Wurlitzer piano.

For smooth compression, mostly using an opto-electronic device,
inspired by the old LA-2A. My version:

http://jhaible.heim.at/opto_compressor/jh_opto_comp.html

For limiting the 2-track master, I'm currently using a stereo
version of the Urei 1176

http://jhaible.heim.at/compressor/jh_compress.html

It's quite ok, but I plan to build a stero variable-Mu limiter
for this task, some time.

JH.




> I like to gate first, compress second.  That way the gate will
> eliminate your low level noise floor before you squash things down.
> Otherwise, you'll bring up the lowest level background hiss to a more
> noticable level if you compress first.
> 
> Putting them in parallel might not accomplish much, since the
> compressor would bring up noise just as the gate was dropping it out.
> 
> You could run them in series with the compressor first to acheive a
> different effect, but that would likely have a more limited use.  Your
> best bet would be to have them seperate and patchable so you could
> experiment with order once they are built.
> 
> -Tavys
> 
> 
> On 6/21/06, Spencer Johnson <marxspeakstruth at gmail.com> wrote:
> > i'm building a compressor/limiter as well as a noise gate for my
> > system. when i implement these, would the best tone be achieved
> > through series or parallel usage? if series, which should precede the
> > other?
> > thanks,
> > spencer
> >
> 
> 




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