Subject:Confused about Volume Maximizer

Posted by: CherylS

Date:9/1/2009 6:21:39 PM

Hi,

I'm confused about the Threshold and Output level settings for the Volume Maximizer that is part of Wave Hammer. I think I'm clear that the Output level is the maximum output level. But I'm totally confused about how the Threshold setting works. I would be very grateful if someone could make this clear for me.

Thanks a bunch.

Cheryl

Subject:RE: Confused about Volume Maximizer

Reply by: MSK

Date:9/1/2009 6:56:34 PM

According to the documentation (Can be accessed by clicking the Question Mark symbol on the top right corner of any plugin):

Drag the Threshold fader to set the level at which the dynamics processor begins acting on the signal.

So if you are applying compression to a sound, the threshold will determine at what amplitude in the waveform the compression starts effecting the signal. If you set it to -12 dB for instance, any signal higher than -12 will be shaped by the compressor settings.

More good information on wikipedia.

One more note is that the best tool for using compression will be your ears. Play around with the settings until it sounds right to you.

Subject:RE: Confused about Volume Maximizer

Reply by: CherylS

Date:9/2/2009 5:20:10 PM

Thanks for the reply but I think you may have answered a different question that what I am looking for.

I do understand the threshold setting for the wave hammer compressor. But I'm not clear about the threshold setting for the Volume Maximizer with is a separate part of wave hammer.

Cheryl

Subject:RE: Confused about Volume Maximizer

Reply by: MSK

Date:9/2/2009 8:12:46 PM

The Volume Maximizer is essentially a limiter. (From Wikipedia):

In electronics, a limiter is a circuit that allows signals below a specified input power to pass unaffected while attenuating the peaks of stronger signals that exceed this input power.
...
Mastering engineers often use limiting combined with make-up gain to increase the perceived loudness of an audio recording during the audio mastering process.
---
So the threshold determines what level in your sound is affected by the attenuation of your signal.

Another good article that has a basic explanation...

Subject:RE: Confused about Volume Maximizer

Reply by: CherylS

Date:9/5/2009 11:00:13 AM

Thanks again for the reply but I'm actually asking a different question. I know how compressors and limiters work.

My question is very specific to the Volume Maximizer tab of Wave Hammer: How does the threshold setting work in this case? And how does in work in conjunction with the output level setting?

The Sony manual is not clear about this so I feel like I'm groping in the dark here.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheryl

Subject:RE: Confused about Volume Maximizer

Reply by: rraud

Date:9/5/2009 11:56:50 AM

Pulling down the threshold fader will engage the limiter sooner, adding more gain reduction and automatically raising the make-up volume to the target output level.
Beware: Lowering the threshold too much can induce distortion.

The output level control is the "absolute" peak full-scale amplitude level that will be attained. It absolutely WILL NOT EXCEED THIS SET LEVEL. Many set this at 0.0 or -0.01dBFS for audio CDs.
Beware: Clipping CAN occur encoding MP3s and other data compression formats if the output level is too high.