Mastering tool makes life easier. Lately, I have been working with Compression, one of the basic tools. The digital recorder makes it fairly easy. Mixdown mode sets track volumes, track EQ, and Reverb. Mastering adjusts overall EQ and Compression. Compression options are type, for example: dance, voice, classic, rock, etc. Then, open compression parameters: threshold, ratio, and level, in three bands. That is where it gets interesting, because user can select high, mid, and low bands for each set of adjustments. Especially useful to be able to turn up or down the volume on the bass, mid, or treble section of the wave. What a difference. Now, fast forward to the DAW. Mine are Reaper, which has hundreds of effects, and Audacity, which is streamlined. My question is, I can't find an ability to select high, mid, or low for threshold, ratio, or level. Typically, parameters are 1) input and output gain (dB) 2)Reduction (dB) 3) Threshold (dB) 4) Amount (X:1) 5) Attack (MS) 6) Release (MS) and (6) Select for auto. Ten Band digital EQ is not the answer. Anyone know how to adjust the volume of the ranges? THX.
You're looking for a multi-band compressor. A multi-band compressor is not an effect that is standard in the Audacity plug-ins folder.
However, you can select any 32 bit multi-compressor VST plug-in you may have on hand.
In Audacity go to "Effect" > "Add / Remove Plug-ins ...". When the Window opens select (1) Show: All, (2) Enable and (3) OK to add the effect to the effect drop down list.
Audacity is a 32 bit program. I don't know if you can use a 64 bit effect but I don't think so. I have jBridge but none of my 64 bit plug-ins show up on my list
It's the DP03 SD -- 8 track, 2 inouts. I have been meaning to replace it with the 24 SD 8 inputs, but the good ol 03 just keeps going. If there is a learning curve, I'd rather have it land in the winter. Zoom makes good stuff, too, but TEAC and I go back a long way. You know that most everyone is going to computer recording, which is fine. The companies have responded with what they are calling computer friendly units, still store to cards. The DAWs can't be beat for post production, at this point, my opinion. You didn't ask for a speech.... What are you using, Jim?
I have a Zoom MRS-8 digital recorder. It has bass and drum machine, two inputs, built-in microphone, four mono tracks, two stereo tracks and dedicated stereo mix down tracks. Additionally each track has 10 virtual tracks for bouncing or alternate takes.
It has MIDI OUT, stereo 1/4" headphone jack with level control, eight effect algorithms with almost 1000 presets and one mastering algorithm with about ten presets.
The thing I like about it the most is the algorithms. I don't know about how to use effects or put together good sounding recording signal chains. This provides a good starting point. It's sort of like having Toontrack's +++ EZmix +++ in hardware.
Plus, it's never crashed or freezed.
I have a soft spot for Teac and TASCAM. My first analog recorder was a Teac A-3340 four channel 1/4" tape recorder. Chances are the replacement will be a TASCAM if the need ever arises.
My brother and forum member, Charlie Fogle, has several TASCAM digital recorders.
Charlie Fogle and I compared the relative merits of Zoom and Tascam at length not too awful long ago, Jim, to no small benefit to myself. Zoom is strong on the scene, with advanced computer interface features, and very good with built in instrument effects, not to mention the drum machine. I'm a real fan of bounce. Having recently remastered all my performance tracks, bounce is perfect for fades and getting the level just right, so important for the live act.
Now, fast forward to the DAW. Mine are Reaper, which has hundreds of effects, and Audacity, which is streamlined. My question is, I can't find an ability to select high, mid, or low for threshold, ratio, or level.
Anyone know how to adjust the volume of the ranges? THX.
Reaper has a native multiband compressor called ReaXcomp, you will find it under the Cockos fx directory.
Before I went to Ozone which is fairly expensive I used a free plugin called Limiter No 6 which also works well for “master” compression and limiting. It has several stages that work their way through to the end result. Tokyo Dawn labs have the same tool as both a free and paid for version.
EQ however is another thing Tokyo Dawn have a good Dynamic EQ “Nova” which has a free version. Having said that if you have Reaper with its native plugins you have tools to do everything (they just don’t look as nice but work really well).
Tony
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home, Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612 BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
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