VC2 8
'ATTACK' sets the time that the compressor takes to act. At minimum
(fastest) it is possible to make it 'overshoot' on some percussive programme
material: This means that the compression electronics are driven hard
before the gain has been controlled by the light cells. The cells catch up and
overcompress momentarily giving a tiny dip immediately following the start of
the 'note'. This is best demonstrated when recording drums. With Slope set to COMP 1,
and attack and release to fastest. Used sparingly this can contribute to musical drive.
Slower attacks are used where the compression needs to be less obvious.
'RELEASE' sets the time during which the path gain returns to normal after
compression. Generally, the longer the time, the less obvious is the compression.
AMOUNTS OF COMPRESSION
There can be no rule as to the correct amount of compression for any particular
programme material. Compression (particularly the JOEMEEK compressor) is a
creative effect for the producer. In rock music, it is possible to use considerable
amounts of compression (10dB or more) and still for the effect to be slight, in classical
recording, conventional compression is frowned upon but the JOEMEEK compressor
can be used to great effect if handled gently.
COMPRESSION PROBLEMS
1) Got signal going through but no compression.
Is the compressor switched in?
Is there enough signal? A high signal is required to make the compressor operate. Have you turned the
COMPRESSION control high enough? The normal place for the compression control is near or at full up.
2) It's noisy.
The compressor itself is extremely quiet, but by definition compressors raise the level of quiet passages;
this also means that if there is noise in the microphone channel (in the audio signal that is being
amplified), there will be more noise on the compressed signal. It's a compromise.
3) It distorts.
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