Spiking Parts, Need Compression FX? -ACID Product Family

Subject:Spiking Parts, Need Compression FX? Posted by: spinweb Date:1/16/2004 7:45:07 AM Hi All, I'm still pretty new to ACID and digital sound recording in general. It seems that all my parts (i.e., vocals, bass, acoustic guitar, etc.) have this huge spike when they first begin and then settle down to a good level. I see that there's a compressor effect in ACID Pro 4, by Sony. I activated it ( I think!) and messed around with the levels etc., but still I get this initial spike. How do I get rid of the spike?! Thx! Rick
Subject:RE: Spiking Parts, Need Compression FX? Reply by: HAL9000 Date:1/16/2004 8:11:30 AM Well, if you don't want to have to mess with compression during the mix-down, the only thing you can really do is buy a compressor, like a unit from DBX. That will treat the signal before the computer gets it and as a result, you will have a much more even signal and your mix-down process will go a little more smoothly, especially since I personally feel that the compressor in Acid isn't all that it could be. I would consider looking on EBay and if you don't have a lot of money to spend, do a search for an Alesis 3630 compressor. I own one and they're sufficient (read: not perfect but adequate) and they usually sell on Ebay for $50 - $90. That'll help immensely during your live recording sessions.
Subject:RE: Spiking Parts, Need Compression FX? Reply by: DKeenum Date:1/16/2004 11:45:39 AM Try a very quick (short) setting the attack on the compressor. The attack is what would catch a spike.
Subject:RE: Spiking Parts, Need Compression FX? Reply by: Iacobus Date:1/16/2004 1:04:54 PM Weird that you get a spike. What's your soundcard/audio interface? Did you try updating its drivers (if there are any)? HTH, Iacobus ------- RodelWorks - Original Music for the Unafraid mD's ACIDplanet Page
Subject:RE: Spiking Parts, Need Compression FX? Reply by: HAL9000 Date:1/17/2004 4:14:21 PM Well, all of the instruments he's listed are quick-attack instruments. The vocals on the other hand... maybe he's not using a wind screen and getting some really bad pops. In any case, if you're not going to get out-board gear, do what DKeenum says and adjust the attack time on Acid's compressor. The quicker the compressor is set to refine your signal, the more sensitive it will be to your dilemma.

Subject:Spiking Parts, Need Compression FX?

Posted by: spinweb

Date:1/16/2004 7:45:07 AM

Hi All,

I'm still pretty new to ACID and digital sound recording in general. It seems that
all my parts (i.e., vocals, bass, acoustic guitar, etc.) have this huge spike when
they first begin and then settle down to a good level. I see that there's a compressor
effect in ACID Pro 4, by Sony. I activated it ( I think!) and messed around with the levels
etc., but still I get this initial spike.

How do I get rid of the spike?!

Thx!

Rick

Subject:RE: Spiking Parts, Need Compression FX?

Reply by: HAL9000

Date:1/16/2004 8:11:30 AM

Well, if you don't want to have to mess with compression during the mix-down, the only thing you can really do is buy a compressor, like a unit from DBX. That will treat the signal before the computer gets it and as a result, you will have a much more even signal and your mix-down process will go a little more smoothly, especially since I personally feel that the compressor in Acid isn't all that it could be.

I would consider looking on EBay and if you don't have a lot of money to spend, do a search for an Alesis 3630 compressor. I own one and they're sufficient (read: not perfect but adequate) and they usually sell on Ebay for $50 - $90. That'll help immensely during your live recording sessions.

Subject:RE: Spiking Parts, Need Compression FX?

Reply by: DKeenum

Date:1/16/2004 11:45:39 AM

Try a very quick (short) setting the attack on the compressor. The attack is what would catch a spike.

Subject:RE: Spiking Parts, Need Compression FX?

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:1/16/2004 1:04:54 PM

Weird that you get a spike. What's your soundcard/audio interface? Did you try updating its drivers (if there are any)?

HTH,
Iacobus
-------
RodelWorks - Original Music for the Unafraid
mD's ACIDplanet Page

Subject:RE: Spiking Parts, Need Compression FX?

Reply by: HAL9000

Date:1/17/2004 4:14:21 PM

Well, all of the instruments he's listed are quick-attack instruments. The vocals on the other hand... maybe he's not using a wind screen and getting some really bad pops.

In any case, if you're not going to get out-board gear, do what DKeenum says and adjust the attack time on Acid's compressor. The quicker the compressor is set to refine your signal, the more sensitive it will be to your dilemma.