Limiting, Dynamic expansion and gating, Compression and expansion combined – Antares TASCAM TA-1VP User Manual
Page 11: 2 – introducing the tascam ta-1vp vocal producer, 11 limiting
TASCAM TA-1VP
11
Limiting
Examine the 99:1 curve in the above graph. This setting
reduces all sounds above the threshold to the same
loudness. This is called limiting. Limiting is usually
employed to allow a dynamic signal to be recorded at a
maximum level with no risk that transient peaks will result
in overload. In this application, the threshold setting
(usually set relatively high) determines the extent to
which the peaks will be limited.
Dynamic Expansion and Gating
Sometimes, it is desirable to increase the difference
between the quietest signal and the noise in a recording
by using a downward expander. A typical application
would be eliminating room noises and breath sounds that
can be heard between the phrases of a recorded vocal
part. expander. Notice that above the threshold, the curve follows a 1 to 1 ratio (i.e., is unaffected by the gate). For each unit of input change below the threshold the output changes by two units. This is called a 1 to 2 expansion ratio. level drops at twice the rate it would using a 1 to 1 ratio. In effect, sounds below the expander threshold are “faded out” more quickly than they would be normally. OUTPUT LEVEL INPUT LEVEL LOUDER LOUDER THRESHOLD 1 TO 2 EXPANSION RATIO 1 TO 1 RATIO When expanders use ratios higher than 1:10, sounds below the threshold are faded out very rapidly. This effect is called gating and can sound very abrupt. Adjusting the gate ratio can smooth out the abrupt change. The graph below shows the input/output curve for a typical gate. OUTPUT LEVEL INPUT LEVEL LOUDER LOUDER THRESHOLD 1 TO 99 EXPANSION RATIO 1 TO 1 RATIO Sounds that are louder than the threshold get “through the gate” unchanged. Sounds that are below the threshold are not heard. Gates can be used to great effect in processing drum tracks where sounds from the other instruments in the drum set leak through the mike of the instrument being recorded. Gates are also used frequently to “gate off” a reverb tail or the ringing from an insufficiently damped drum head. Compression and Expansion Combined The TA-1VP allows you to use both compression and expansion simultaneously. This ability is useful in taming the typical problems that arise when processing vocal tracks. The graph below illustrates the use of compression with a downward expanding gate. OUTPUT LEVEL INPUT LEVEL LOUDER GATE THRESHOLD COMPRESSOR THRESHOLD 1 TO 99 EXPANSION RATIO 4 TO 1 RATIO Using this setting, levels above the compressor threshold will be compressed at a 4 to 1 ratio. Levels below the compressor threshold but above the gate threshold will not be changed. Levels below the gate threshold will be gated out completely. 2 – Introducing the TASCAM TA-1VP Vocal Producer
The graph below shows the curveÉ
As the input signal drops below the threshold, its output