Week 6- audio signal processing

Applying the compression effect to the SopranAscendDescend.wav caused a reduce in dynamic range, producing consistent volume levels and increasing the loudness of the file.

Compression is effective for voice-overs, because it helps the speaker or singer stand out over an instrumental soundtrack and background audio tracks.

Standard settings

Amount
Controls the amount of compression.

Advanced settings

Ratio
Sets a compression ratio between 1‑to‑1 and 30‑to‑1. For example, a setting of 3 outputs 1 dB for every 3-dB increase above the threshold. Typical settings range from 2 to 5; higher settings produce the extremely compressed sound often heard in pop music.

Threshold
Sets the input level at which the compression begins. The best setting depends on the content of the audio and style. To compress the extreme peaks and retain a lot of dynamic range, use thresholds around 5 dB below the peak input. To highly compress audio and greatly reduce dynamic range, try settings around 15 dB below the peak input level.

Attack
Determines how quickly compression starts after the audio output goes further than the threshold. The default of 10 ms works well for a wide range of source material.

Output Gain
Boosts or cuts amplitude after the compression has been applied. Possible values range from ‑30 dB to 30 dB, where 0 is unity gain.

Release
this determines how quickly the compression stops when audio drops below the threshold. The default, 100 ms, works for a wide range of audio.

Ambient Sound and Reverb:

The 'reverb' you hear on records is usually the result of ambient micing techniques, rather than artificial reverb. Opening the doors of a studio and placing ambient mics in hallways etc.