[wplug] Audio: Compression Utility?

[Tim Lesher]

On Thu, Jun 12, 2003 at 04:26:08PM -0400, Robert E. Coutch wrote:
> Are you sure you want compression?
> 
> Your original message stated you wanted to remove spikes, etc.
> Normalization does this by bringing the levels to a common amount 
> depending on the sources.  If you have a bunch of .wav's with good 
> levels and one with some spikes, normalizing them will bring levels down 
> in the spiked file.

"Normalizing" isn't usually much more than simple-minded (linear)
compression.  A compressor usually refers to a system that can not
only eliminate the peaks, but shape them differently depending on
frequency, gate out the hiss, soften the 'knee' at the threshold, etc.
If you really want to be technical, he wants a compressor/limiter.

> 
> If you compress the .wav, all levels will be forced to a common level.
> This will sound like crap unless you decompress later.

Decompres later?  Not sure what you mean.  Compressors do this as part
of their job--it's called 'gain'.

> Compression is good for Ham Radio and guitars but not for an MP3 encoded 
> song.

Umm... compression is used for a heck of a lot more than that.
De-essing, 'punching up' flat mixes, hiss removal, etc.

-- 
Tim Lesher <tim at lesher.ws>
http://www.lesher.ws