Chapter 18
Digging into Dynamics Processors
IN THIS CHAPTER
Understanding and inserting dynamics processors
Getting to know compressors and limiters
Introducing gates and expanders
Examining side-chain processing
Dynamics processors allow you to control the dynamic range of a signal. Dynamic range, listed in decibels (dB), is the difference between the softest and loudest signals that a sound source produces. The larger the dynamic range, the more variation exists between the softest and loudest notes.
The four types of dynamics processors are compressors, limiters, gates, and expanders. This chapter gives you the lowdown on each type and how they can help you add punch to or smooth out an instrument’s sound, even out an erratic performance, or eliminate noise from a track.
Connecting Dynamics Processors
Dynamics processors are Insert effects: When you insert them into a track, they become part of it, affecting the track’s entire signal. To apply a dynamics processor in a track, follow these steps (I detail the process in Pro Tools, but other programs are similar):
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