[Daygloworange]

I was referring to somehow reconstructing the clipped-off peaks of a transient, making the flat plateaus back into the spiky mountains they used to be.  I am not sure if that's what you meant or not, but it seems almost impossible unless some sort of artificial wave "tips" could be pasted in.  Hmmm...

That's what compression does, it flattens the peaks. It is a threshold that is set, and when a signal crosses that threshold, the variable ratio that I described before is engaged at this point. So, if you set the ratio at 4:1, the compressor would attenuate the signal at that rate. A 4 db input above the threshold, would only exit the compressor's output as a 1db increase.

I suppose what you are suggesting could be done in Pro Tools, which is the most popular digital recording software in pro audio. But I don't think it would be feasible. How do you know what level to restore the peak to?

Remember what I described before. You are not just listening to a L/R signal that's been ultra compressed, but an amalgamation of tracks with their own compressions playing at the same time. You couldn't do it. If you were to, for example, raise the transient of a snare drum hit, you would also raise everything else that was being played at that exact moment as well......in other words, it can't be (properly) done.

I think it's worth mentioning that while overuse of compression does (somewhat) kill dynamics, listening to a mix without compression would not be as enjoyable. It would not be as coherant, and intelligible, and would wear on you very quickly. I can almost assure you that after a while, you would have enough, and would want to shut it off, and you would desire quiet.

Compression does more good than harm. By a long shot.

Cheers

[nathanm]

I think it's worth mentioning that while overuse of compression does (somewhat) kill dynamics, listening to a mix without compression would not be as enjoyable. It would not be as coherant, and intelligible, and would wear on you very quickly. I can almost assure you that after a while, you would have enough, and would want to shut it off, and you would desire quiet.

Well, this is subjective of course and I would have to disagree to a large degree.  Modern mixes I find are much more fatiguing than ones of old.  Just a casual look at the waveforms from some of my favorite and least favorite sounding albums shows more often than not, the flattest ones are the least exciting and most fatiguing.  But I do agree that sensible compression does contribute to the things you described especially since most people play back their music at levels far below the "real world" levels.  But if I have the chance there's nothing cooler than playing back a very dynamic mix LOUDLY.  I can't do it myself, but I suspect that's where the men and boys are separated when it comes to speaker performance.  And you also REALLY hear the ugly peaks your room causes.  I like it  when the loud parts are loud and the soft parts are soft and your ears have a chance to relax.  With these crammed-to-the-top mixes there's no breathing room and my ears crap out very quickly.

The most current example I can think of is the Dresen Dolls.  Their debut CD sounds excellent and it is very dynamic.  You can tell they used compression, but it seems to have made it punchier rather than smoother.  Every song segment is not hovering around 0db.  But "Yes Virginia" is a totally different story.  Way more compression, more flattened out and far less exciting to my ears.  Makes me a little bit mad.  Their whole appeal is dynamic performance but the producers fucking killed it on the 2nd record.  Or compare Slayer's "Reign In Blood" to "Christ Illusion"  no contest, Reign In Blood wins.  I don't care how loud the other one is, it sounds like shit!  I couldn't even finish listening to it.

[Daygloworange]

Well, this is subjective of course and I would have to disagree to a large degree.  Modern mixes I find are much more fatiguing than ones of old.  Just a casual look at the waveforms from some of my favorite and least favorite sounding albums shows more often than not, the flattest ones are the least exciting and most fatiguing.

Nah....trust me. If it isn't compressed well it sounds like a crappy demo. You cannot do a cohesive mix. One thing is always going to bury something else. Not as much as with, say, a jazz trio playing some slow tempo dinner jazz type music, but with more dynamic, complex, intricate parts, it gets to be a big deal.

You have to remember that analog tape compresses as it's being recorded onto, particularly when you hit the tape hard. There's oversaturation, distortion, and compression that takes place.

I will agree with what your saying in that it's over compressed. If they had just backed off a few ticks, yeah, you wouldn't see the meters lit up solid like you do nowadays, you would see them going up and down more.

Cheers

[Imperial]

I was looking on the tv today, and this Melody Grand Prix for kids Nordic started.
Kids right, still have a way to go.
But then this young group called SEB from Denmark started to play.
My hair jumped 2 feet right up from the top of my head and spun.
I mean my hair spun!
What 13 - 15 years old guys playing like pro's!!!
Dude!!! And the vocalist! We're talking unbelivable voice!
My hair hung there spinning... dude!!!
This dude was singing like those Pitch keeperprograms wished they corrected young dame Osbourne!!!
I mean you almost never hear a fullgrown artist carry the tone like this! Dude!!!
This guy was singing like you just dont hear in a live situation!!! Like a bell!
And they were playing melodic rock. Dude!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1im7qcRbik&mode=related&search=

They won of course! But dang! This young and this good a singer!!! It amazing!!!
Imperial ( very impressed!!!)

[Imperial]

I'm going to post something unusual.
Jason Upton, the cd: Jacob's Dream.

Nathan, This one is for you 
Merry Christmas dude, this is a fantastic record!
Awesome sound! You should have it in your collection!
I Have! Its just beautiful music!!!
Its about as far from what we are talking about here as one can come
unless one chooses Cantus, the choir. But it is very good!

Imperial.

[Soundbitten]

iron maiden and black sabbath

[fredgarvin]

For 'melodic', I always think of early UFO. Michael Schenker is one of the most melodic and hottest players out there.

[Daygloworange]

For 'melodic', I always think of early UFO. Michael Schenker is one of the most melodic and hottest players out there.

If you want to hear a epic guitar player, check out Uli Jon Roth. He replaced Schenker in the Scorpions after he left, then went on to a solo career. He is in a league of his own. Nothing like him. He's influenced a lot of people. Particularly a few who think they invented the neo-classical shred thing.

Cheers

[Imperial]

Dude!

This new Show has started on Norwegian tv... its called top 10...
It's a sort of talkshow with ... well sort of like Lettermann if you like.

And they have a house band...
They have employed EXTOL!!! 

Hehe!!! 

They are older now, and have short hair, but they are amazing!!!

Imperial