Gain Compensation in Plug-ins
Aug 30th, 2021, 07:46
Neil Gilmartin writes:
Quote:
I was recently producing my first track in Logic and, when adding compression, I wasn't always sure whether I should be reducing the Make-Up Gain or the Output volume in those cases where compression made the signal louder. Is it generally the case that you reduce Output when you've added any type of Distortion because this distortion is added to the signal after the compression stage, but if you haven't added any saturation you generally reduce the make-up gain instead? Although if I were to do this, I'm not bringing up the quieter sounds as much as I could, so perhaps it's not quite so clear-cut.
On a related note, when you are toggling plug-ins to check for volume, do you generally use your ears as your guide or the signal level on the meter? Our ear is much more sensitive to RMS, right, whereas the signal is going to be much more sensitive to peaks? So I was thinking perhaps the signal is a more reliable guide.
Thank you very much for your insight, as always!
End quote
Hi Neil -
Normally compression would make the signal softer, since it reduces the level of the loudest parts of the signal, so you'd usually apply makeup gain to bring the overall level back up to approximately the same level. Since compression will have changed the dynamic range, the makeup gain will ultimately be determined by ear, in context of the mix. The same applies to A/Bing effects -- your ear is the ultimate guide.